Call For Expressions of Interest

Artist in Residence

2025 Trail of The Caribou – Gallipoli Pilgrimage, Türkiye

November 1-8, 2025 

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (TCAR) invites Expressions of Interest from Professional Artists working in any discipline to join the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Delegation to Türkiye in November 2025. The annual pilgrimage to the Newfoundland Gallipoli Memorial and associated sites commemorates the accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War. 

Context

After almost a year of training following the outbreak of the First World War, the Newfoundland Regiment joined the 29th British Division in Gallipoli in September 1915. It was the only North American military unit to participate in this campaign.

Despite the difficult conditions in the trenches there, the Newfoundland Regiment earned their first battle honour of the war when they captured “Caribou Hill” in November 1915, later covering the evacuation of Allied troops when the campaign came to an end. Its members were among the last to leave Gallipoli in January 1916.

The Newfoundland Regiment went on to see heavy action along the Western Front in France and Belgium during the remainder of the First World War. Its exceptional service would earn them the title “Royal” in late 1917.

Following the First World War, five battlefield monuments were built in France and Belgium to commemorate the Dominion of Newfoundland’s participation in the First World War. These sites at Beaumont-Hamel, Masniéres, Gueudecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, and Kortrijk are known as the Trail of the Caribou.

The unveiling of the Gallipoli Newfoundland Memorial in Türkiye on September 20, 2022, marked the completion of Padre Thomas Nangle’s vision for the Trail of the Caribou. Since then, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made annual commemorative visits.

Expression of Interest

Historically, artists have been sent to war zones to capture impressions of the conflict through various mediums. Building on this historic practice, TCAR invites Expressions of Interest from Professional Artists practicing in any discipline to engage and reflect on commemoration of these events by becoming the Artist in Residence for the 2025 Pilgrimage to Gallipoli, Türkiye.

This short form residency will take place from November 1 – 8, 2025 and include a commemorative ceremony at the Newfoundland Gallipoli Memorial as well as visits to cemeteries where Newfoundlanders are buried and other cultural sites.

The Artist in Residence will be part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador delegation, which will include government officials, military representatives, and representative stakeholders, reflecting both ceremonial and cultural dimensions.

The Artist in Residence will interact with the delegation, attend all ceremonies and visits to cemeteries and cultural sites. The Artist in Residence is asked to submit a response to their experience, within 90 days of the end of the pilgrimage.

Artist in Residence program includes:

  • Return Airfare from St. John’s to Istanbul, Türkiye
  • Ground transportation, accommodations (Çanakkale and Istanbul) and meals while in Türkiye
  • $500 honorarium

If traveling to and from St. John’s from other parts of province:

To Submit:

Professional Artists, as defined in s.5 of the Status of the Artist Act https://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/s24-1.htm#5_, who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Please include the following documentation with your proposal:

  • A current CV detailing professional experience and practice.
  • A statement (maximum 500 words) detailing how this short form residency will benefit or enrich your artistic practice.
  • A sample of your work accompanied by a brief artist statement (maximum 150 words). Samples are encouraged to be short; some examples include:
  • A writing sample or manuscript excerpt of up to 10 pages,
  • Digital photographs of visual art/craft of up to 10 images,
  • Recordings of musical works up to 10 minutes,
  • A short film or film excerpt of up to 10 minutes,
  • Archival video excerpt of live performance of up to 10 minutes (theatre, dance or other forms of live performance), or
  • Other materials as appropriate to your artistic practice, with a combined collective length comparable to above.

We encourage you to contact us with questions prior to finalizing your application for submission. Questions about the program or submission guidelines can be directed to Nicole Rousseau at NicoleRousseau@gov.nl.ca.

Submissions should be sent by email to ChelseaMcLean@gov.nl.ca. Using the subject line “EOI – Artist in Residence Gallipoli”. Filenames for attachments should identify the artist and content.

Deadline to apply:  September 26, 2025