Arts Infrastructure Program – Canada

Deadline: 15-Sep-23

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council is currently accepting applications for the Arts Infrastructure Program to support construction or renovations of art spaces, artistic production projects, administrative capacity building and operational assistance.

The Arts Infrastructure Program supports B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit community organizations and First Nations led non-profit arts and culture organizations and societies.

Priority Areas

• Organizations
  • Objective: This priority area supports B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and organizations with artistic production, administrative capacity building and operational assistance.
  • Grant amount: up to $50,000
  • Applicants can choose one of the following options:
    • Apply for only artistic production up to $25,000
    • Apply for only administrative capacity building up to $25,000
    • Apply for only operational assistance up to $25,000
    • Apply for combined artistic production and administrative capacity building up to $50,000
    • Apply for combined artistic production and operational assistance up to $50,000
  • Activities Examples
    • Artistic production:
      • Hosting arts workshops for the community
      • Creation of a mural
      • Artist residencies and collaborations
    • Administrative capacity building: (please note that administrative capacity building is typically achieved before operational costs can be considered)
      • Adding more staff to respond to growth in the organization
      • Hiring a contractor for strategic planning for the growth of the organization
      • Staff training, mentoring and/or building a sustainable operational base
    • Operational costs:
      • Current wages and salaries
      • Building maintenance expenses
      • Electricity, gas, space repairs, landscaping
      • Rent or mortgage costs
• Community Arts Spaces
  • Objective: This priority area supports B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and organizations with the development and enhancement of community arts and culture spaces. This can include renovations to an existing structure or new construction that supports community accessibility to arts spaces. All spaces must be community focused and available for community use.
  • Grant amount: up to $75,000
  • Activities Examples
    • Renovations/improvements to an existing building/structure, such as carving sheds or cultural spaces. Examples: fixing drywall, painting, roof repair, plumbing costs
    • Construction of a rehearsal space (for creative expressions such as singing, drumming, dance, theatre and others)
    • Construction of a permanent designated space to create art, such as weaving, drawing, painting, and other creative expressions
• Arts Administrator Internships
  • Objective: This priority area supports the transfer of knowledge to develop skills and increase capacity for arts administrators in a museum or arts setting.
  • Grant amount: up to $40,000
  • Projects may be structured to support development of an intern in one of two ways:
    • An individual can arrange an internship placement with an arts and culture organization that will provide qualified and specific arts administration mentorship, or
    • An individual can arrange a structured relationship with a qualified arts administrator mentor(s) who will provide specific arts administration mentorship, at a distance and through organized visits, while the intern is working with an existing community-based organization.
  • As part of the application process, interns and their mentor must define the structure and content for the internship and develop a learning plan that is relevant to the interests and practical needs of participants. Plans must centre First Nations voices and describe lasting benefits to the intern, community artists and the infrastructure that supports those artists. Activities related to community-based arts and culture administration are a priority.
  • Activities Examples
    • Organizing workshops, events and other arts activities
    • Community-based research and planning
    • Community outreach and network building
    • Support, documentation and promotion of local artists
    • Community cultural coordination or arts and culture facilitation
    • Curatorial practice in a gallery or museum
  • Please note:
    • Applications must be collaboratively prepared by interns, their mentor and the supporting host organization.
    • Host organizations must contribute to the proposed internship costs (which can include workspace, administrative fees, organizational costs, etc.). The host must cover any mandatory employment related costs associated with the internship. In addition to office space, internship hosts are expected to provide technical facilities and support.

Duration

• The funding term for the Arts Infrastructure Program is as follows:
  • Projects can take place anytime between September 16, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024.
  • A final report is due one month after the project end date, no later than January 31, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• B.C. First Nations bands or tribal councils
• Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C. in good standing and governed by B.C. First Nations individuals (at least 75% of directors identify as B.C. First Nations)
• B.C. First Nations–led museums and cultural spaces (at least 75% of directors identify as First Nations)
• Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit led organizations (at least 75% of directors identify as First Nations)
• B.C. First Nations schools or adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands (please note that applications from First Nations schools that serve one community must be submitted through their respective Nation/band office)
• Have previous experience or a creative mandate that demonstrates a commitment to their practice
• Demonstrate the support of recognized artists or creatives and cultural or community leaders within First Nations communities they are connected to and that the project affects
• Submit only one application per deadline

Ineligibility Criteria

• Collectives (the program only accepts registered societies)
• For-profit organizations and businesses, entities, individuals and commercial ventures
• Previous grant recipients who are in default of the grant reporting requirements. These applicants are ineligible until all required documentation is complete.
• Government organizations, including municipalities
• Individuals with funding for the same project through BC Arts Council
• Universities, colleges and non–First Nations schools
• Religious organizations
• Corporations

For more information, visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council.