Glenfiddich, the venerable family-owned distillery, is officially inviting Canadian artists to apply for its 2026 residency program. The program allows visual artists to live and work at the historic distillery’s headquarters in Dufftown, Scotland, for a three month period during the summer of 2026.
It’s the 20th year that the Speyside whiskey distiller has invited Canadian artists into the program, which hosts artists from all over the globe.
The residency is valued at about $28,000 CAD.
“The Glenfiddich Artists in Residency program provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for skilled Canadian artists looking to foster and explore their creativity, and showcase their work on a global scale,” comments Navneet Bhullar, Marketing Manager for Glenfiddich in Canada, in a statement. “Glenfiddich in Canada is honoured to welcome its next Canadian artist into this prestigious residency in May 2026.”
Founded by William Grant in Dufftown in 1887, GLENFIDDICH® is the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky. The company is run by the fifth generation of the founding Grant-Gordon family as one of the few remaining independent family-owned distilleries in the world. The company produces a range of handcrafted single malts, along with Grant’s®, the world’s third largest blended Scotch, and a number of other spirits.
The Glenfiddich Residency
The coveted program is a three-month all-expenses paid residency on the Glenfiddich Distillery site in Dufftown, Scotland. It includes income for the three month period, along with travel expenses, accommodations, materials necessary to complete your project, and the intangible benefits that come from being part of a global arts community.
Since its foundation in 2002, along with Canadian artists, the program has invited applications from artists who live and work in places like Australia, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK, and the United States. The 2026 Artists in Residence program will also welcome artists from China, Scotland, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and the US.
“This year marks a milestone for the Glenfiddich Residency Programme,” comments Programmer Curator Andy Fairgrieve. “The past 25 years have not just seen the creation of a body of work celebrating the unique and special location of the Valley of the Deer, home of Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but has also forged lasting and meaningful relationships between artists across the globe.”
How To Apply
The Artists in Residence Program is available to Canadian artists who live and work in Canada. The goal is to propose an original project that uses Glenfiddich’s historic setting in the Scottish highlands, and/or the distillery itself.
Applicants must complete a five-part application that includes an outline of how they will draw inspiration from the Glenfiddich Distillery, and the body of work they anticipate creating.
In addition, they must include;
- A brief project proposal;
- A current CV;
- A short artist statement;
- A list of three individuals who can supply a reference;
- Five to 15 images or a three-minute video highlighting their artistic method;
- A completed questionnaire provided by Glenfiddich.
Completed applications must be submitted by midnight eastern standard time on January 31st, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Last year’s Canadian residency winner was Vancouver-based artist Alex Morrison. “The distillery, its history, and the surrounding landscape offered fresh perspectives and renewed energy for my work,” comments Morrison. “I especially valued the balance between time for solitude and meaningful moments of connection with the other artists.”
Alex Morrison is one of more than 160 artists from around the world who have participated in the program since its inception in 2002. Past Canadian winners include Dave Dyment, Daniel Barrow, Helen Cho, Lee Henderson, Marla Hlady and Christof Migone, Elanor King, Dean Baldwin Lew, Derek Liddington, Myfanwy Macleod, Vanessa Maltese, Damian Moppett, Annie Pootoogook, Jon Sasaki, Jillian Mcdonald, Arabella Campbell, Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky, and Julie Forgues.
The 2026 Artist in Residence winner will be announced in April 2026.
Best of luck to all the applicants!
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