Call for Applications: Individual Artists Program (Canada)

The program supports creative practices of any medium or expression and those who have demonstrated a commitment to their artistic practice. This may include carvers, storytellers, visual artists, choreographers, dancers, dance groups, performance artists, regalia creatives, weavers, writers, multi-media artists and sculptors.

Objectives

• The Individual Artists Program supports artists in:
  • Increasing their skills and knowledge.
  • Pursuing new approaches or techniques in their practice.
  • Gaining the recognition of their peers and community.
  • Developing a presentation of their artistic journey/history for the public (including but not limited to knowledge sharing events and community gatherings, gallery showings, digital platforms, performance, film).
  • Spending more time with their creative expression.
• Scholarship
  • The funding for post-secondary arts education will support applicants enrolled in an arts program at a post-secondary institution. Applicants must indicate the institution, program, and number of semesters they have enrolled in.

Focus Areas

• The Arts Program is organized into four program offerings:
  • Arts Strengthening
    • One-on-one arts mentorships and group knowledge transfer work.
  • Arts Infrastructure
    • Art space construction, renovation or capacity building for First Nations arts and culture organizations & communities.
  • Individual Artists
    • Projects and creative development; Scholarships for arts education.
  • Music Program
    • Creation & sharing and industry professional internships, mentorships and training.

Funding Information

• The Individual Artists Program offers funding for two types of activities:
  • Individual Artists up to $20,000.
  • Scholarships up to $15,000.

Eligible Expenses

• Salaries and wages – must be project specific and explained clearly in the budget description. For all project participants including applicant (remember to pay yourself!), mentor, technicians, contractors, etc.
• Elder and/or Knowledge Holder consultation fees, include names and explain clearly in budget description.
• Fees and honoraria for collaboration with other artists, mentors and/or elders – explained clearly in budget description.
• Travel, transportation and accommodation.
• Project related materials and supplies.
• Space rentals.
• Research and training.
• Childcare expenses for activities directly related to the project.
• Equipment required for project (up to 15% of total funded project unless a strong justification for more than 15% is provided).
• Specialized tools required for the project, (up to 20% of total funded project unless a strong justification for more than 20% is provided).
• For Individual Artists only: Administrative expenses directly related to project activities (up to 10% of total funded project).
• For Individual Artists only: Touring and exhibition expenses.
• Scholarships only: Tuition, books, and course materials.

Ineligible Expenses

• Expenses not directly related to the project you are applying for.
• Expenses that take place before the Individual Artists Program application deadline.
• Business start-up costs, point of sale systems/websites, building a brand, business logo design, production of items intended for sale such as t-shirts or vinyl record.
• Capital purchases (including but not limited to vehicles, or costs associated with building or land improvement).
• Capital renovation costs.
• Activities that take place in or involve public schools or public institutions.
• For Individual Artists: projects related to satisfying post-secondary education course requirements are ineligible. Please select Scholarships if this is the case.

Eligibility Criteria

• BC. First Nations individuals with a creative practice of any medium or expression, for example; carvers, storytellers, visual artists, choreographers, dancers, dance groups, performance artists, regalia creatives, weavers, writers, multi-media artists and sculptors.
• Must be 19 years of age or older.
• A resident of British Columbia for at least one year. If there is a question about whether applicant lives in B.C., they may be asked to provide documentation. Proof of residency can include a valid B.C. services card, a valid B.C. driver’s license or evidence of income taxes paid in the previous year as a B.C. resident.
• Project will have a start date on or after the application deadline.
• Have previous experience or a creative mandate that demonstrates a commitment to their creative practice.
• Demonstrate the support of recognized artists, creatives, cultural, or community leaders within B.C. First Nations communities they are connected to, and the project affects.
• Submit only one application as an applicant per deadline to the Arts Program.
• FPCC is a First Nations-led organization with unique expertise in B.C. First Nations languages, arts and heritage. There is an urgent need to support the revitalization of First Nations arts practices in B.C. With the growing number of requests for funding, the FPCC Arts Program is focused on providing support for the art forms that come from this land.
• Their work is founded in the fundamental belief that First Nations are the rightful stewards of their cultural knowledge and arts practices, and are best equipped to lead this important work of protecting, sharing and revitalizing B.C. First Nations Arts practices on these lands.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals with an active FPCC Arts Program grant.
• Individuals cannot be the project lead for more than one application to the FPCC Arts Program.
• Scholarship Exceptions:
  • Applicants may be 17 or 18 with a guardian’s signature.
  • Applicants may apply to both this Scholarship Program and the BC Arts Council Scholarship Program but, if successful in both, funding will not exceed the upper limit on a single program.
  • Applicants may attend any institution including those outside of the province but must be registered as a resident of British Columbia for at least one year prior to the application deadline. If there is a question about whether you live in British Columbia, you may be asked to provide documentation. Your proof of residency can include a valid British Columbia services card, a valid British Columbia driver’s license or evidence of income taxes paid in the previous year as a British Columbia resident.
  • Applicant will be enrolled in a post-secondary institution or courses at time of application and for the duration of the project timeline.

For more information, visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council.