The application deadline for the Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnerships Fund has been extended to July 24 at 5 p.m. To request an application form, please contact Konrad Skorupa.
The Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnerships Fund supports partnerships and collaborations that create new opportunities and visibility for Indigenous-led arts and culture. The fund aims to spark new relationships between Indigenous artists, arts and culture leaders and professionals, and potential partners at both the grassroots and institutional levels.
Toronto has been an important site for gathering, trading and celebration for Indigenous people for thousands of years. It is the treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit and its land and waters have been stewarded by the Haudenosaunee, the Huron Wendat and the Anishinaabe. Toronto continues to be home to many diverse Indigenous peoples, whose artistic and creative contributions are vital to the fabric of the city. The City of Toronto recognizes the rich Indigenous history of this land, and our responsibility in fostering strong relations between the municipality and the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who call Toronto home.
The Fund supports projects or activities including but not limited to:
Open to Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Inuit, Métis) people, including:
Incubation funding will support the development of new partnerships, first-time initiatives, project research or pilot phases. This funding may support incubation or development activities that will allow eligible applicants to apply for a larger amount through the Activation Stream at a later deadline.
Open to Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Inuit, Métis) people, including:
Activation funding will support projects and initiatives that have the potential to spark lasting impact and opportunities for Indigenous-led arts and culture projects in Toronto. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate the potential for long-term relationship building between the partners, and ongoing impact on the arts and culture landscape in Toronto. The maximum amount of this grant is $30,000 per project. In exceptional circumstances, a larger amount may be considered. Please speak with the program officer if you consider your project and request exceptional.
Indigenous, for the purpose of this program, is defined as Status and Non-Status First Nations, Inuit or Métis people. This funding is open to Indigenous residents of the City of Toronto.
Groups and Collectives are defined as consisting of more than two people, of whom at least 50 per cent who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis and live in Toronto. The group or collective must who have a bank account in the name of their name in order to receive funding from the City of Toronto in this program.
Non-profit Indigenous Organizations are defined as an incorporated non-profit with 51 per cent of board members and key leadership staff (Executive Director, Finance Director, Artistic Director) who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis people.
Partners may be Indigenous or non-Indigenous, for-profit or non-profit arts, cultural or other types of organizations, groups or collectives. They do not receive direct funding from the City of Toronto through this program, and are expected to contribute to the project through financial or in-kind support which may include time, training, mentorship, or expertise.
Economic Benefits may include creating access to paid work opportunities; promoting a field of practice where there is a lack of representation or opportunity for Indigenous people; creating opportunities for buyers or marketplace to access work; or building new audiences for Indigenous creative work.
Residencies may include arts and culture creation and presentation; business and administration; technical skills development including for designers, production crew, and creative back-end roles; research and development; learning and exchange.
Culture in this context refers to Indigenous ways of life, knowledge and worldviews, and includes artistic and cultural expressions that are traditional and/or contemporary.
Applications will be assessed by a committee made up of Indigenous community members. The committee will assess the projects based on the following criteria:
All applicants will be notified of the assessment results in July 2020.
Successful applicants will be required to submit:
Successful applicants will receive 90 per cent of the funding amount on completion of the required documents. The final 10 per cent will be released on delivery of a final report on project completion.
Applicants have a maximum of two years from the notification date to complete their projects. Applicants cannot apply for the program again until a final report is submitted.
Completed application forms for the City of Toronto Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnerships Program, Incubation Stream and Activation Stream, are due on July 24, 2020, no later than 5 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.
To request application forms please contact:
Konrad Skorupa
Cultural Development Officer
Economic Development and Culture
City of Toronto
416-392-9863
konrad.skorupa@toronto.ca