Apply by May 19: Artscan Circle Supports Two Indigenous Youth for Guitar-Making Residency
Artscan Circle is supporting two Indigenous youth to participate in a five-week Guitar-Making Residency this summer—an immersive program led by master luthier Sergei De Jonge.
The 2026 Guitar-Making Residency is a five-week immersive program designed to support the creative development of emerging artists through mentorship, collaboration, and craftsmanship. Set in Chelsea, Quebec—just outside of Ottawa—this residency brings together a small cohort of participants from diverse backgrounds to learn the art of guitar-making in a focused, supportive environment.
While the program includes participants from across Canada and beyond, Artscan Circle is proud to offer two fully supported scholarship positions for Indigenous youth, helping ensure access to this rare and transformative opportunity.
At the heart of the residency is renowned master luthier Sergei De Jonge, who will guide participants through the intricate process of building a guitar from the ground up. From selecting materials to shaping, assembling, and finishing their instrument, each participant will leave with not only a handcrafted guitar, but also a deeper understanding of the relationship between sound, story, and creation.
For the two Artscan Circle scholarship recipients, this experience is about more than learning a craft. It’s about strengthening creative voice, building confidence, and expanding what feels possible. Participants will work alongside peers—many of whom are non-Indigenous—in a collaborative setting that encourages exchange, learning, and connection across cultures and experiences. This dynamic creates space not only for artistic growth, but for meaningful relationship-building and shared understanding.
Artscan Circle has long been committed to increasing access to high-quality arts programming for youth in remote and northern Indigenous communities. By supporting Indigenous participants within a broader residency context, the organization continues this work—ensuring that young artists can step into spaces that are often financially or geographically out of reach.
Program Overview
Location: Chelsea, Quebec (near Ottawa)
Dates: June 29 – July 31, 2026 (5 weeks)
Focus: Hands-on guitar-making residency led by master luthier Sergei De Jonge
Tuition, accommodations and travel covered by Artscan Circle and includes a $2,000 honorarium for each Artscan Circle scholarship participant, paid in two installments.
Applications are open to Indigenous youth (First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Innu), and the deadline to apply is May 19, 2026.
Application Requirements
Short response about your creative work and interest
Cover Letter
Resume
One letter of recommendation
⏰ Deadline: May 19, 2026
Only two spots available through Artscan Circle.
Apply or ask questions: farrah@artscancircle.org