MICRO-PUBLISHING SUMMER RESIDENCY

Available Residency Dates

• July 14-20, 2026

• August 6-12, 2026

• August 13-19, 2026

• August 20-26, 2026

• August 27-September 2, 2026

• Other blocks of time may be possible (e.g. August 8-14, August 10-16). Please specify in your application form.

Eligibility

The residency is open to:

• Individuals 18 years of age or older;

• Artists who can work independently, and already have DIY or small press publishing as part of their creative practice OR would like to incorporate it into their current creative practice;

• Artists who wish to focus on research, process or experimentation;

• Artists who are developing projects aligned with Possible Worlds mandate and vision;

• Local artists, or out-of-town artists who are able to cover travel and accommodation.

• At least one spot will support an artist who self-identifies as racialized.

Benefits

The micro-residency will offer:

• Duration of the residency: one week;

• Artist stipend of $100 CAD;

• Access to working/desk space at Possible Worlds studio, located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, close to amenities and multiple Canadian national and local arts and cultural institutions;

• Access to Possible Worlds’ library and shop of artist publications; and

• Access to a summer program on experimental publishing led by Possible Worlds director Melanie Yugo (details announced shortly).

Requirements

• Artists will be responsible for all accommodation, transportation and food costs throughout the micro-residency.

• Artists are invited to host open studio hours (minimum 3 hours) at Possible Worlds to engage with the community.

• Artists will give an artist talk on their project within three months of their residency, either online or in-person at Possible Worlds..

Zine Publication (optional)

As part of the residency, artists also have the option of bringing their project to life in zine form. Thirty (30) copies of the zine will be Risograph printed and published by Possible Worlds. Zine publications would be ready for October-November 2026.

Requirements of the Zine Publication Option

• There is a materials fee of $225 + HST to be covered by the artist. Possible Worlds will cover the remaining materials costs and will provide labour and printing services in-kind.

• The zine must take the format of maximum 2-colours, 5.5 x 8.5”, maximum 16 pages. Inner pages will be printed on 60lb text paper and the cover will be printed on 60lb or 80lb cover stock.

• Artists will be required to send print-ready files by end of September 2026.

• Artists will be required to donate 40% of the publication run to Possible Worlds for future educational use, as well as for sale to support the costs of future residents.

• Artists must be able to design/format their work for print production according to Possible Worlds guidelines, as well as bind their own portion of the publication run (Possible Worlds will bind the remaining copies).

Additional Benefits

Additionally, Possible Worlds will provide the following in-kind to artists who select this option:

• One-on-one or small group workshops to learn the basics of Risograph printing and simple bookbinding;

• Photographic documentation of the zine; and

• Dissemination and promotion of the zine as a Possible Worlds edition, including in our studio shop section, on social media, Possible Worlds’ website, Object//Project Art Book Fair, and at other Canadian and international fairs.

Application Information

• Deadline to apply: 11:59 PM ET on June 30, 2026.

• Applicants will be informed of our decision by July 4, 2026.

• Applications will be assessed on the following points:

  • Clarity of proposal;

  • Quality and/or potential of work;

  • Impact on artist and the public; and

  • Fit with Possible Worlds mission and available resources.

• If you need any additional information or accommodations in order to apply for this opportunity, please contact info@possibleworldsshop.com.