RELEASE: ArtsNL announces Creation Grant Program for Indigenous artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ArtsNL announces Creation Grant Program for Indigenous artists

June 25, 2024 (St. John’s, NL) – ArtsNL is pleased to announce the launch of the Creation Grant Program—a pilot program that provides funding specifically for Indigenous artists, artistic groups, and culture carriers within Newfoundland and Labrador for the creation, development, exhibition, and transfer of knowledge related to an art form or artistic practice. Grants are available to Indigenous artists at any stage of their artistic career, working in all disciplines. The program has an allocation of $200K and was made possible through additional funding provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Year of the Arts initiative.

There are two funding streams available:

1. Creation Micro-grant (up to $1,500) for small-scale projects, general materials, and related expenses.
2. Creation Grant (up to a maximum of $15,000) for projects running less than one year.

Over a year in the making, the Creation Grant Program was designed with participation and guidance from ArtsNL’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, arts sector colleagues from across the country, and Indigenous artists throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The program was designed with a focus on breaking down barriers Indigenous artists usually face with other funding programs, creating a style for funding opportunities that will set a new precedent for how Indigenous arts programming should look.

“I’m thankful to be a part of creating a program that is as momentous as this,” said Jamie Felsberg, ArtsNL’s Indigenous Outreach Officer. “This program is the first of its kind and was specifically crafted to provide a meaningful opportunity for Indigenous artists to access funding in a way that is equitable, relevant, and easily accessible. The Creation Grant Program was created with a focus on representing Indigenous artists, not just including them, setting the stage for Indigenous arts funding opportunities in the province. I hope artists feel that when they see this program, and I think that they will.”

In an official statement, ArtsNL’s Indigenous Advisory Circle said, “The Creation Grant Program is a reflection of ArtsNL’s commitment to supporting Innu, Inuit, Mi’kmaq, and all Indigenous Peoples who live and express themselves through art in the province now known as Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The Creation Grant Program has a rolling deadline. Applications are accepted at any time.

Program information, as well as application options, are available at artsnl2024.ca/creation.

Program Enquiries
Jamie Felsberg
Indigenous Outreach Officer
(709) 800-7678
Toll-Free: 1-866-726-2212 ext. 6 (NL only)
jamie@artsnl.ca

Media Enquiries
Charlene Jackson
Communications Officer
(709) 726-2212 ext. 3
charlene@artsnl.ca

The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (ArtsNL) is a non-profit Crown agency created in 1980 by The Arts Council Act. Its mission is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of 13 appointed by government, reflecting regional representation of the province. This includes 10 professional artists who provide sectoral representation of the arts community; two community representatives (with an interest in the arts); and one representative of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (non-voting). ArtsNL receives an annual allocation of $5.3 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support a variety of granting programs, program delivery, office administration, and communications. It also seeks support from the public and private sector. It supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film, multidiscipline, music, theatre, visual art, and writing.

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