IRONBOUND CREATIVE RESIDENCY CASE STATEMENT

EXPLORE, CREATE, AND CONNECT WITH NATURE

Who We Are

We are a group of environmentalists, artists, and creative thinkers who are in the early stages of establishing a creative residency program on West Ironbound Island off the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Our organization, the Ironbound Creative Residency (ICR), emerged from a project organized by the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy (KCC), whose mandate is to protect public access to coastal areas in the Kingsburg area.

During the KCC's project, trial residencies were carried out on the Island by more than a dozen volunteers from the local community. The core of these residency volunteers constitute the majority of ICR's founding members. The group is led by Janet Peace, who is Chair of the KCC, and includes Seth Congdon, Sharon Cranston, Marc Langlois, Allison Tremaine, and Tricia Snell.

Why West Ironbound Island?

West Ironbound Island is an extraordinarily beautiful and geologically significant island. While uninhabited by humans, the island includes a beautifully restored cabin and is home to a flock of sheep managed by a farmer who visits seasonally. Most importantly, the island environment offers ocean vistas, beaches, coves good for swimming as well as for catching sight of seals, an intricate network of sheep-trails, dramatic pyritic-shale cliffs, meadows full of berries, and sculptural tree formations.

This environment is provocative for creative thinkers of all kinds.

In the island environment, the volunteers -- who came from the local artist, scientist, and social innovation community -- experienced personal and creative breakthroughs. It is clear that the island causes a positive “disruption” in thought and creative process, a disruption that can lead to innovative problem-solving in a variety of disciplines.

Our Vision:  To inspire societal growth and innovation.

Our Mission:  ICR enables a diversity of creative individuals to explore, create, and connect with nature on the island and to carry their learning back into the greater society.

Our Goals:

• To provide a safe and accessible opportunity for creative individuals to experience a fully-immersed, self-guided residency on KCC's West Ironbound Island.
• To facilitate the sharing of the sights, sounds and spirit of West Ironbound's spectacular unspoiled habitat with the community at large.
• To celebrate and support KCC's ongoing nature conservancy efforts.

In the next months, the ICR plans to develop focused strategic objectives and tasks, a timeline, and a preliminary budget based on the above principles.

Contact:  ICR can be contacted through Janet Peace, at 902-766-4193.

RESIDENCY OVERVIEW & APPLICATION GUIDELINES

 

The Ironbound Creative Residency (ICR) is currently accepting applications for the summer 2022 season 

(July 16 – Sept 31, 2022). The deadline for receipt of applications is May 1, 2022, at 11:59pm Atlantic Time.

ICR’s goal with this pilot season is to enable a diversity of creative individuals to explore and connect with nature on West Ironbound Island and to share their experience with others.

This self-directed residency provides an opportunity for selected individuals (“Residents”) to immerse themselves in their work in a comfortable, inspiring, remote, off-grid setting.

NOTE: West Ironbound Island and its cabin are protected, maintained, and owned by the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy (KCC). ICR is deeply grateful for KCC’s support of the creative residency program.

ELIGIBILITY

ICR invites applications from residents of Canadian Maritime Provinces who are emerging and established artists, scientists, and social innovators of all disciplines and who are interested in exploring how their work intersects with the sights, sounds, and spirit of the island’s unique habitat. Diversity and inclusion are core values of ICR; we encourage creative individuals who identify as members of historically underserved groups to apply.

The cabin is off the grid, without running water, though well-served by solar panels and a strong cell phone signal. As the island is uninhabited (except for sheep and other fauna), applicants should be comfortable with remote conditions (please see “What to Expect on West Ironbound Island” before applying).

Currently, there are significant accessibility issues for those with mobility challenges.

SETTING

Located near LaHave, off the tip of Gaff Point on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, West Ironbound Island is an extraordinarily beautiful and geologically significant island. While uninhabited, the island includes one artfully restored 850-sq-ft cabin (where ICR Residents stay). The island is also home to a flock of sheep managed by a farmer who visits intermittently. The island environment offers ocean vistas, sandy beaches, coves for swimming and seal-watching, an intricate network of sheep-trails, dramatic pyritic-shale cliffs, grasslands and meadows full of berries, and sculptural tree formations. The rich bird, fish, and marine life surrounding the island is nurtured by the special conditions created by the Scotia Shelf, the warm Gulf Stream, and frigid Labrador currents.

LOGISTICS

The residencies last for one week and are self-directed (neither ICR volunteers nor anyone else resides on the island, though an ICR volunteer liaison is available 24/7 by phone or email). There is no fee required from applicants/residents.

Individual (one-person) residencies are not permitted for safety reasons. Each week’s residency will accommodate two Residents in the island’s cabin (which has two bedrooms and shared living/working space). Residents are encouraged to apply jointly, though may pursue their individual work or collaborate on a shared project while on the island. If you are offered a residency as an individual, ICR will match you to another individual being offered a residency.

Due to sheep and other fauna on the island, no pets are allowed.

Residents will be taken by motorboat (about a half-hour trip) to the island. Residents are responsible for bringing all needed food, bedding, as well as personal and work supplies for the week (ICR will provide a suggested packing list). At the end of the residency, Residents are transported back to the mainland.

COMMUNITY: Sharing of Your Work

In the year after their residency, ICR Residents are encouraged to share some of their island work or experiences with the broader public. ICR will work with Residents to find suitable opportunities to do this, including hosting an event on the mainland (either indoor or outdoor, taking Covid into consideration).

With this public part of the program, ICR’s goals are to facilitate the sharing of the sights, sounds and spirit of West Ironbound's spectacular unspoiled habitat with the community at large, and to celebrate and support KCC's ongoing nature conservancy efforts.

EQUITY VALUES

ICR is committed to offering a space that is free of racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, misogyny, classism, ageism, or other bias. We expect all ICR volunteers and residents to treat each other with kindness and respect, to use considerate and inclusive language, and to respect both boundaries as well as beliefs that may be different than one’s own.

ADJUDICATION

ICR, in collaboration with representation from its collaborating organizations, will adjudicate applications for this pilot residency program. Criteria for judging the applications include:

• examples of past work (written, graphic, or other representations that convey your work to date – see #5 in “HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION” for guidelines), 40%
• potential for residency having positive impact on the applicant’s work, 20%
• applicant’s desire & ability to interact with the natural environment of Ironbound, 20%
• potential to become part of a diverse group of resident alumnae who will share their Ironbound experiences with their broader communities, 20%

NOTIFICATION

Applicants will hear during the first week of June (at latest) about the decision made on their application.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT ON WEST IRONBOUND ISLAND

Before applying for a residency on West Ironbound Island, please read over the following information to determine your personal suitability for the conditions of the residency. Please note that “Residents” in the following text refers to individuals who have been awarded a week-long stay (residency) on the island. Once you are accepted for a residency, ICR will appoint a contact person to help you prepare for a comfortable and productive stay on West Ironbound Island.

Island location

• West Ironbound Island and its cabin are protected, maintained, and owned by the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy.
• The island can be viewed from adjacent Gaff Point or from Hirtles Beach on the mainland of Nova Scotia.
• The island is approximately 53 Hectares (130 Acres) and has about 3 kilometres of coastline.
• Each area of the island is accessible within a 15–30-minute walk from the cabin.
• Terrain includes open meadows, windswept forests, wet lowlands, bedrock/shale cliffs, & sandy/rocky beaches.

Transportation

• West Ironbound Island is only accessible by private boat (no government ferries).
• Residents will need to provide their own transportation to meet the boat at the government wharf on nearby Bush Island (part of the LaHave Islands).
• The boat is a rigid-style, open-cockpit zodiac that makes beach landings.
• Residents transfer their own belongings to/from the boat and to/from the cabin to the beach.
• Departure time is typically 9am on Saturday morning from the Bush Island location to the island.
• Return from West Ironbound to Bush Island is typically the following Saturday in the morning.
• Due to inclement weather (high swell or winds), departure or return times/days may change.
• Because of possible unforeseen weather, residents need to consider that return to the mainland may need to be made early, or could be delayed; to accommodate this please pack accordingly (especially food and important items such as medication) and avoid making any strict plans/deadlines for the days after their residency week.

Amenities

• Cabin is well constructed with open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas, and 2 bedrooms upstairs.
• Bedrooms contain 2 single beds in each room.
• Lights are powered by solar battery bank; there is no heat.
• Kitchen is equipped with propane stovetop, fridge/freezer, pots/pans, dish sets and cutlery.
• There is no running water; water will be provided in 20-litre countertop jugs for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and dishes (via water boiled on stove).
• No indoor bathroom; an outhouse is located near the cabin.
• Shower is provided by a solar heated bag and currently is hung in an outdoor area.
• No internet connection but cell phones and personal data plans work on the island.
• Residents are asked to leave the cabin in the same condition and cleanliness as when they arrived.
•  A professional Covid cleaning will be carried out between each residency.
• ICR provides a St. John’s Standard First Aid Kit, a fire extinguisher, and fire alarms inside the cabin.

Workspace

• Compatibility of the residents is essential since the cabin contains no formal, private studio space.
• Residents may work in their bedrooms or in the communal spaces.
• Other workspace includes the outside deck overlooking the ocean, or elsewhere on the island (which some residents may consider their outdoor studio).
• Personal belongings
• Residents need to plan their creative supplies, clothing, and food to accommodate the carrying to/from the boat and to/from the beach to the cabin (think of what you truly need).
• Residents are responsible for their own bedding, pillow, towels, and toiletries.
• Residents should plan meals for accommodating potential delays (at ~ 3 days extra, so 10 days = 30 meals).
• ICR reminds Residents to bring medications, supplements, & other personal needs (a 14-day supply suggested).
• Residents should bring sturdy footwear (and rainboots), rain gear, swimming attire, and decent selection of clothing (including a warm sweater) to change if it gets wet.

Resident Sheep

• A flock of approximately 40 ‘wild’ sheep inhabit the island with no fencing.
• Residents may interact with the flock but must remember to be respectful of their nervous nature.
• Please do not feed the sheep.
• A sheep herder visits the island from time to time to feed grain and monitor their health.
• Be careful of leaving personal items outside or creating obstacles near the cabin or elsewhere.

Safety

• A designated fire pit and firewood is provided nearby the cabin (no collection of wood on the island is allowed); keep water nearby to extinguish the fire quickly if needed.
• Pets are not allowed on the island.
• Illegal substances and firearms are prohibited on the island.
• Smoking or vaping is not allowed inside the cabin.
• Do not consume plant or animal material found on the island, because there is a high probability of contamination from sheep feces.
• Residents must always carry cell phones in case of injury or other potential safety concerns.
• Residents will be given the contact cell number for their appointed ICR person and the designated boat operator.
• Residents can explore the island independently but must communicate with their fellow Resident about where they are going and when they may return to the cabin.
• Residents will ‘check-in’ with their appointed person from the ICR committee each day at a designated time.

Island Trails, Terrain, Seashore

• Natural paths have been created all over the island, by people and sheep.
• The paths may or may not be clear of debris or obstacles.
• The foreshore consists of gently sloping sand/gravel beaches and steep rocky cliffs of bedrock or loose material.
• The whole island is accessible, but ICR advises caution in more difficult terrain, especially in wet conditions.
• SHARKS! West Ironbound is known to be on ‘shark alley.’ This area is between the island and mainland. Swimming is recommended at the beach adjacent to the cabin and protected by Foggy Islands.
• Never turn your back on the ocean; unexpected rip currents and rogue waves can occur quickly.

Emergencies

• The island is remote and unoccupied, the nearest medical assistance and facilities are on the mainland.
• The RCMP and Coast Guard have been notified of the residencies and will respond when Residents call 911.
• Transportation to the nearest hospital (Bridgewater) may take 2-3 hours or possibly longer dependent on response time, boat travel to/from the island, ground transportation, and inclement weather.
• It is not a certainty that medical air transport will be dispatched to the island.
• Residents should contact the ICR boat operator and liaison person only after calling 911 and after they have received assistance.
• Paying attention to and adhering to your ICR liaison’s advice regarding your stay will greatly reduce the potential for serious emergencies.

Residents take sole responsibility for their own safety and well-being. You will be required to sign a liability waiver. Once you are selected by the committee, ICR will send detailed descriptions and requirements to help you prepare for a comfortable, productive, and inspiring residency.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A RESIDENCY ON WEST IRONBOUND ISLAND

Before applying, ICR encourages applicants to assess whether they are a good match for the program by considering the following guidelines closely; in addition, review the information in the “What to Expect on West Ironbound Island” section. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Janet Peace, Chair of the ICR Steering Committee, at 902-766-4193. ICR is currently developing a web presence; in the interim, limited images of the island may be viewed at https://www.kccns.org/west-ironbound-island.

All individuals desiring a residency must submit this application. This includes each of the individual members working on a collaborative project.

Please send items 1 to 5 below via email to ApplyIronbound@gmail.com.

Items 1 to 3 should be included in a single word or pdf document. Items 4 & 5 should be included as attachments (each one no larger than 2MB). Include your name in the title of each of your documents/attachments, as follows:

Lastname-Firstname-ICRapplication.pdf

Lastname-Firstname-resume.pdf

Lastname-Firstname-xxx.yyy (“xxx” being name of work sample and “yyy” being format’s suffix) 

(Reminder: the deadline for receipt of applications is 11:59pm, May 1, 2022).

All applications should include:

1. Single cover sheet, including, in this order:

        a. your name

        b. your area of creative work/social innovation

        c. your address and cell phone/home phone/email contact info

        d. web site or other web presence related to your work (if you have this)

        e. emergency contact name and contact information

        f. names of other person(s) applying who you wish to be in residence with, if you are collaborating, and if so, one sentence about how you are collaborating

        g. your availability – ICR currently offers 6 week-long residencies, beginning July 16, 30, Aug 13, 27, Sept. 10, 24. Please indicate which weeks work for you.

2. One-page “proposal” (overview of the work you intend to do on the island) no longer than 500 words. Describe the work you imagine doing during the residency week, why completing it is important to your overarching work, and how being on the island connects to your work. (Be realistic about what you envision; one portion or aspect of a project is sufficient.)

3. One-paragraph summary (max of 250 words) of how you are suited to life on a remote island for a week.

4. Current resume or CV.

5. Samples of your work—preferably work completed within the past five years. Either attachments to your email or links to online material are acceptable. Please provide materials in up to three (one is enough) of the following categories (if attachments, each item no larger than 2MB). Include samples that best demonstrate the nature and quality of your work. If any of your submitted pieces exceed the allowable length, please tell us which portion you’d like us to focus on.

• images (up to ten)
• poems (up to ten)
• one prose piece (fiction or nonfiction), up to ten pages
• pdf of a report/study, up to ten pages
• video, up to ten minutes
• audio, up to ten minutes
• any other relevant item, keeping in mind the length guidelines