Call for Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects

Ontario Arts Council

Relevent Country: Canada

The Ontario Arts Council is now offering funds for Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects.

Purpose

The program supports projects that bring together Ontario-based Indigenous artists or Elders to:

  • Work with individuals or groups of people from a community on collaborative activities that create a meaningful arts experience and transmit artistic skills and knowledge
  • Teach arts workshops in schools during the upcoming school year, engaging children and youth in creative, active, hands-on and in-depth arts experiences

The program has five categories:

  • Community arts projects: to help cover the costs of participatory activities that promote learning, collaboration and/or engagement in the arts
  • Indigenous languages through the arts: to help cover the costs of artistic and community-engaged projects in which the primary purpose is the transmission of Indigenous languages through the arts
  • Training for community artists and animators: to help cover the costs of Indigenous artists and animators working in community and non-arts settings to seek training and mentorship opportunities that will strengthen their community arts, arts training or arts education practice
  • Indigenous artists in school projects: to help cover the costs of activities that promote learning, collaboration and/or engagement in the arts
  • Indigenous artists in northern fly-in communities: supports (a) applicants from fly-in communities working anywhere in Ontario, and (b) applicants from anywhere in Ontario working in fly-in communities.

Funding Information

  • Community arts projects: maximum $15,000.
  • Indigenous languages through the arts: maximum $15,000.
  • Training for community artists and animators: maximum $15,000.
  • Indigenous artists in school projects: maximum $15,000.
  • Indigenous artists in northern Ontario fly-in communities: maximum $17,000.

What this program funds

  • Community-engaged co-creation, production, exhibitions and presentations, in all arts disciplines
  • Workshop series, art camps, summer programs, experiential arts learning activities and after-school art programs
  • Community-based arts activities held in schools, community centres, health centres, home studios, galleries, site specific and on the land
  • Training for artists who wish to improve their skills and work in community settings
  • Hands-on workshops in schools that engage students in a creative process
  • Fees and expenses for Elders and language/knowledge keepers who are engaged in an artistic practice, and helpers
  • Mentorship of emerging Indigenous artist educators, aged between 18 and 30
  • Preparation time, insurance, vulnerable-sector checks, administrative activities of artists.
  • Transportation, accommodations and meals, materials and supplies, and equipment rental (if applicable)
  • Purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics and similar materials required to carry out the project
  • Childcare and other dependant care fees enabling individuals to take part in the project (this does not include regular, ongoing expenses)
  • Expenses related to making the project accessible to audiences and project participants (other than the applicant) who are Deaf or have a disability
  • Note: Applicants to this program who identify as Deaf or as having a disability may apply for supplementary funds for their own accessibility expenses through Accessibility Fund: Project Support.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Professional artists and Elders who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and are Ontario residents.
  • Ad hoc group and collectives comprised of individuals, of whom at least 50 per cent identify as Indigenous.
  • Not-for-profit Indigenous organizations, centres and councils.
  • Elders and language/knowledge keepers who are engaged in an artistic practice.
  • Helpers may be co-applicants or named in the project and included in the budget.
  • Ontario schools run by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities, applying to bring in Indigenous artists.
  • Part-time teachers.
  • Note: They may only apply for a project happening at the school where they are employed if a letter from the school is provided stating that they are doing the project outside of employment hours.
  • applicants must be Ontario residents.

Source: https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/indigenous-artists-in-communities-and-schools-proj