Heriot Suite Residency
Apply Now >
Welcome to the Caetani Centre’s New Self-Contained Residency Space!
The Caetani Centre is delighted to announce the opening of the new self-contained, one-bedroom Heriot Suite in the historic Caetani House — a dedicated creative residency space for artists, writers, researchers, and cultural practitioners.
Located on the second floor of the heritage Caetani House, the Heriot Suite is named in honour of academic, active naturalist, artist Joan Heriot, a close friend of Sveva Caetani and a former resident of this suite.
Professor Emeritus of Zoology from London College, England, Heriot’s commitment to artistic practice and her contributions to the cultural life of the Okanagan make this suite a fitting tribute.
About the Caetani Centre Artist Residency Program
The Heriot Suite is offered as part of the Caetani Centre’s Artist Residency Program — a self-directed residency that offers creative living and working spaces in an independent, supportive atmosphere designed to provide time and room for artistic exploration.
The residency experience centers on creative living and working, with residents encouraged to focus deeply on their projects in an inspiring heritage setting, to connect with other visiting and resident artists, and to engage with the Centre’s broader cultural community.
Residencies in the Heriot Suite vary from 2-weeks to 3 months, accommodating the goals and needs of participants. While onsite, residents can work independently, collaborate, and engage with other visiting artists and community programming.
The Centre’s mission is to nurture a thriving cultural ecosystem by providing opportunities and spaces for artistic expression, preserving and sharing heritage, and fostering community through exhibitions, programs, tours, and creative residencies.
Sveva Caetani (R) and Joan Heriot (L) in the 1990s
Selection of Applicants
The Caetani Artist-in-Residency Program is open to both emerging and established artists, writers, and creatives in all artistic fields and mediums: installation, painting, drawing, writing, photography, digital media, printmaking, etc.
We are also open to curators, cultural researchers, musicians, performers, filmmakers and other creators in need of a space to brainstorm, research and generate ideas.
Ceramics artists, please consider combining a self-directed residency with a clay drop-in studio membership at the Vernon Community Arts Centre, which is walking distance from the Caetani Centre.
The ideal candidate will have invested themselves in training, be self-directed, and able to work independently. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to artistic excellence as well as an interest in experimentation and innovation in artistic and creative mediums.
Submission Process and Deadlines
Applications to the Caetani Artist-in-Residency Program are ongoing and dependent on availability
Please check the availability of both rooms and studio space
We try to keep the website as updated as possible, but cannot guarantee availability until we accept your application and receive your deposit
Once you’ve determined your preferred accommodation and studio needs, please fill out the application form
A Caetani staff member will be in touch with you within 1-2 weeks
The Facilities
The fully furnished Heriot Suite includes:
Private, furnished live/work suite
Fully equipped kitchen
Four-piece bathroom with tub/shower combo
Built-in wardrobes, closets, bookshelves, and storage
Large studio space with desk, table, chair, and easel
Utilities and Wi-Fi
Private indoor and outdoor sitting areas
Optional access to additional studios (rental fees apply)
Staff support and local resource information
Materials & Studio Use
To ensure comfort and safety for all residents and preserve the suite’s historic interior, flammable or toxic materials or equipment such as solvents, torches, and aerosols/spray paint are not permitted in the suite itself. Artists working with materials that require ventilation may use the outdoor private balcony or, rent a dedicated studio on the Centre’s property for an additional fee.
As there are adjoining suites located in the Caetani House, musicians or any other artist that will be using amplified equipment that is not soundproof are also asked to book a studio on the property and refrain from disturbing other residents in the house. All Caetani studios are equipped with a desk, table, chair, ambient and task lighting as well as access to water. Easels are also available.
Please inquire with the Centre’s Residency Coordinator if specialized equipment is required.
Rate & Availability Calendars
Booked / Changeover
-
Self-contained one bedroom apartment on second floor of Caetani House. Separate entrance and fully equipped with kitchen; dining space; four-piece bathroom with tub/shower combo; built-in wardrobes, closets, bookshelves, and storage; large studio space with desk, table, chair, and easel; private indoor and outdoor sitting areas.
-
Two weeks: $1,400
Additional days up to three weeks: Add $100/day
Additional occupant: Add $100 inclusive
Three weeks: $1,700
Additional days up one month: Add $80/day
Additional occupant: add $150 inclusive
One month: $2,000
Additional days up to two months: $70/day
Additional occupant: Add $200 inclusive
Two months: $3,500
Additional days up to three months
$60/day
Additional occupant: Add $250 inclusive
Three months: $5,000
Additional occupant: Add $300 inclusive
-
$250 reservation and damage deposit due at the time of reservation. This will be refunded once the room is vacated and inspected.
$100 cleaning fee. If it is deemed additional cleaning is needed above and beyond standard cleaning, charged will be taken off damage deposit
Please note, The Caetani Centre does not provide daily cleaning of the rooms or studios or daily meals. Laundry is located on-site. Residents are expected to maintain their studio spaces androoms, shared common areas of the kitchen, bathroom and other common areas in a clean and tidy in a timely manner, with respect for the other residents using the space.
Additional fees may be charged if we feel that this requirement is not being satisfactorily met, and will be deducted from the final refund.
Heriot Suite
Surrounded by Art, Culture, Heritage & Nature
Please note, the main floor of the house has museum, display and office spaces and welcomes visitors five days a week, including guided and self-guided tours and other programming. There are two long-term tenancies with resident artists living onsite, and there are additional studios that are rented long-term by local artists.
Many seasons, there is also a family of deer living in the neighbourhood who spend quite a bit of time on the property. There have been resident owls, as well, and numerous bird species. (Unfortunately, personal pets are not allowed as part of the residency).
Artists are welcome and encouraged to use the front veranda, the picnic and outdoor tables and chairs, and the courtyard when it is not booked for outside events. During your stay at the Caetani Centre, you will be surrounded by art, culture, and heritage in a quiet, central location, so you can both focus and be inspired.
Please note, The Caetani Centre does not provide daily cleaning of the rooms or studios or daily meals. Laundry is located on-site. Residents are expected to maintain their studio spaces and rooms, and shared common areas in a clean and tidy in a timely manner, with respect for the other residents using the space.
Additional fees may be charged if we feel that this requirement is not being satisfactorily met, and will be deducted from the final refund.
Artists are responsible for their own travel, health insurance, food requirements, materials, equipment, and transportation.
The Caetani Centre is walking distance from downtown and Vernon and most amenities and on a transit route. Bikes are available at the centre, and Vernon has a well-run e-scooter service that visitors can access.
Artist Studios
Two separate studios are available for your residency at the Caetani Centre. Each is located steps away from the house, with an outdoor entry, and on either side of a lovely outdoor courtyard. Artists who work in watercolour, oil, acrylic and any medium that is wet or messy will need to book a studio for their work. Writers, digital artists, and those who work in dry mediums can choose to book a studio, as well, though many choose to work in their room.
These studios are usually booked by visiting Artists-in-Residence. However, there may be some weeks that the studios are vacant and can be booked by local artists and writers looking for a focused space in which to work.
Off-site studio spaces may be available for ceramic artists through the Vernon Community Arts Centre.
Please contact the Caetani Centre if you require special facilities or are interested in partnering with a local organization.
For all bookings of studios and rooms, please check our availability calendar for available dates, then fill out and submit an application form.
Ninfa Studio
-
Footprint: approximately 12’ x 14’ (3.7 x 4.3 m)
Ceiling height: approximately 8’ (2.44 m)
Two windows facing south and west. Stand-alone utility sink, concrete floor, shelving, drafting table, and table (shelves and tables can be removed if not needed). Adjacent bathroom. This studio can be paired with any room.
-
$7.50/day
$225.00/month
Juul Studio
-
Footprint: approximately 12’ x 14’ (3.7 x 4.3 m)
Ceiling height: approximately 8’ (2.44 m)
Windows on three sides facing west, north and east. Sink with counter and cupboard space, shelving, and table (shelves and table can be removed if not needed). Vinyl flooring over concrete. Adjacent bathroom. This studio can be paired with any room.
-
$7.50/day
$225.00/month
Reservation/Deposit
For all Artist- and Writer-in-Residence programs, the successful applicant will deposit a reservation/cancellation fee of $200 for the shared suite and $250 for the Heriot self-contained private suite upon acceptance to their program. This will be invoiced and can be paid online in Canadian funds.
Please note, this also acts as a damage deposit, and this will be refunded following the completion of the specified program, pending any additional charges.
Cancellation
In the event of cancellation by the artist after committing to the accepted program, the Caetani Cultural Centre reserves the right to retain up to and including the full amount on deposit. The Centre will make every effort to find a substitute artist to take the place of the accepted artist in the event of cancellation.
A minimum $50 processing fee will be retained if another artist agrees to take your place.
Getting Here & Around Town
Vernon is located at the top of the Okanagan Valley. We are located 30 minutes from Kelowna International Airport, approximately 5 hours from Vancouver, and 6 hours from Calgary by car. Getting from Kelowna Airport (YLW) to Vernon
Artists are responsible for their own transportation, getting to and around Vernon. The Caetani Centre is located three blocks from downtown Vernon, and is within walking distance or on public transportation routes to cafes, restaurants, shopping, as well as most public facilities and amenities. Bike trails and bus service are available in the region, and also to other centres. A complimentary bicycle and helmet are also available for the resident’s use (at their own risk) and Vernon has a well-run e-scooter service that visitors can access.
Location, location, location…
At the top of the Okanagan Valley, Vernon is a small city with a vibrant arts and cultural community. Surrounded by natural beauty, orchards, farms, and vineyards, Greater Vernon is the Trails Capital of BC, with an unparalleled network of walking, biking, and multi-use trails circling the city, including the popular Rail Trail. We are located between three lakes, Kalamalka Lake, Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake, and 25 minutes from world class cross-country and downhill skiing, and a variety of mountain biking trail terrain.
We are home to a public art gallery, community arts centre, performing arts centre, community theatre, commercial galleries, a historic cinema, library, science centre, recreation centre, and public pool, most of which are walking and biking distance from the Caetani Centre, or accessible by public transit and e-scooter.
Climate
The Okanagan Valley is generally hot and dry during the summer months, and can get very hot during June, July and August in particular, ranging to over 35°C. More moderate summer temperatures can last well into September and then the fall cools off gradually. Winters generally range from +10° to -10° C, however temperatures can also reach as low as -25°C or more. Usually, this kind of cold does not last more than 2 weeks, but this can fluctuate during the winter months. In the Spring, temperatures warm up rapidly in the region, with April daytime highs reaching 20ºC, but can still be very cool at night. Visiting artists are encouraged to bring a variety of clothing for all weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are always advised.
Fill out the form below for Self-Directed Residencies
