CAAF Artist Residencies
CAAF offers studio residencies with the aim to support emerging artists to reach their full potential. By providing space and funding, the CAAF Studio Residency enables emerging artists to further explore their creative practice and take advantage of opportunities that CAAF can provide. Artists are also encouraged to share their process and engage with the community during their residencies.
THE CAAF STUDIOS
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APPLY TO THE CAAF STUDIO RESIDENCIES
CAAF’s cSPACE Studio
Suite #435, 1721 – 29th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
The studio is located on the fourth floor of cSPACE Marda Loop, a multi-disciplinary creative hub and arts incubator.
280 square feet
Natural light (with room darkening blinds) and adjustable LED lighting
High speed Wifi and fibre connectivity
Elevator
Fully accessibleCAAF’s 500 Collective Studio
#500 – 321 50the Avenue SE , Calgary, ABThe studio is located at 500 Collective, a collective of working spaces for creatives.
85 square feet
Natural light
Wifi
Fully accessible
Current Resident - cSPACE Studio
Ziya Lin - June to July 2026
My artistic practice is an ongoing exploration of identity, diaspora, and belonging through drawing, installation, and community projects. Grounded in the visual language of traditional Chinese art and contemporary conceptual approaches, I explore how personal and collective narratives are visually embodied. My early works examine female subjectivity and emotional interiority through imaginative hair drawings on Xuan paper. This introspection later expanded into a fibre-based installation, where acts of weaving and spatial occupation reflect toil for adaptation in a new environment, addressing diasporic experience and the search for belonging as an immigrant. My recent project continues this inquiry through the lens of place-based belonging, exploring how one’s connection to a city grows through the shared spaces of local life. My practice also embraces social engagement through workshops and collaborative projects, highlighting art’s role in fostering community and cultural connection.
Current Resident - 500 Collective Studio
David Shideler
NaAC x CAAF Artist in Residence - June to August 2026
David Shideler is an emerging artist with a keen ability to evoke a sense of familiarity and identity within his portraiture. Working primarily in acrylic, Shideler uses a distinct high-contrast blocking style to invite the viewer into the dizzying world of his subjects. With an interest in human connection, he chooses subjects that appear to have hidden emotions and well-kept secrets.
David Shideler has been drawing and painting since childhood, developing a deep, lifelong connection to visual art. Since joining the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) in 2023, he has found increased motivation, support, and access to community that allow his creativity to thrive. Participating in the Drawing Intensive program helped him strengthen his skills and artistic voice. He uses his creative practice to observe and engage with the world around him, a grounding and meaningful outlet that supports his mental health, personal growth, and positive outlook on life.
