Grants to support Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects – Canada

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 schools 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.
• Note: Applicants may apply to only one category.

Grant Amount(s)

• 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 schools 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.

Eligible Applicants

• 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.

Ineligible

• students
• municipalities, colleges and universities
• teachers employed full-time by a school board, private school, or a school run by a First Nation or First Nation education authority during the period of time the project will take place.

For more information, visit Ontario Arts Council.