grants & awards for individual artists - equity and access Edmonton Arts Council

Equity and Access in the Arts

Grants for Individuals and Collectives

Deadline: 11:59 MDT on June 15, 2023

The Edmonton Arts Council is committed to supporting a wide range of artforms and communities. This commitment is guided by Connections & Exchanges: A 10-Year Plan To Transform Arts & Heritage In Edmonton (C&E). The C&E plan includes commitments to increasing support for artists and arts professionals from Indigenous and equity-seeking communities.

Artists can apply to any Edmonton Arts Council program, but many also face systemic, historical, cultural and/or language barriers to accessing support. This program invests in these artists so they may pursue their artistic work, advance their skills, develop and strengthen connections to the broader Edmonton arts community.

This program is one way the Edmonton Arts Council pursues our commitments in Connections & Exchanges. It replaces and expands on the previous Cultural Diversity in the Arts programs that had been in place since 2008.

Purpose

To invest in a thriving and diverse arts community in Edmonton by supporting Edmonton based artists and collectives from communities that face barriers to access. This includes, but is not limited to, groups whose members are treated differently because of systemic barriers that disadvantage people based on their Indigenous heritage, the colour of their skin, their disabilities, sexual orientation and identity, and/or immigration status.

This program has three distinct streams, each with its own evaluation criteria and assessment process. Artists may only submit to one stream.

Stream 1: Exploration and Experimentation
These $5,000 grants support an artist to work on solo creation, experimentation, or research.

Stream 2: Skills and Career Development
These grants of up to $10,000 support professional development projects for individual artists and collectives.

Stream 3: Major Artist-Driven Projects
These grants of up to $25,000 support artist-initiated projects created by individual artists and collectives

Level of Support

A combined total of up to $600,000 will be allocated to the three Streams in this program

Access Support

Artists facing linguistic or cultural barriers to completing their application, or artists who face barriers because they are deaf or have a disability, may be eligible for access support. This new initiative provides funding for specialized assistance in conveying the artists' ideas. Such assistance will normally be up to $500. For more information, contact grants@edmontonarts.ca.

Application Format

Your application will be submitted through our online system at eac.smartsimple.ca. The EAC supports applicants as much as possible to overcome barriers that prevent them from submitting an application, including language, ability, and access a computer or an internet connection.

Please contact us at grants@edmontonarts.ca or 780-424-2787 if you require assistance in completing your application.

Download the Guidelines