Aboriginal Traditional Visual Art Forms Program for Organizations
Deadline
15 September
Program Description
This program supports Aboriginal groups, collectives, cultural centres and other organizations to undertake activities that contribute to the knowledge, sharing, understanding and development of Aboriginal traditional art forms. Such activities include research, as well as preservation, creation, production and dissemination (sharing the knowledge) of Aboriginal peoples’ traditional visual arts forms.
For this program, the term "organization" is used in a general sense to include groups, collectives, cultural centres and other non-profit organizations.
The term “Aboriginal traditional visual art forms” refers to activities by Aboriginal artists or Aboriginal organizations that are directed toward the research, preservation, creation, production, exhibition or dissemination, and documentation of objects within Aboriginal communities as well as the broader arts community. These activities involve high levels of technical knowledge and ability, and knowledge of materials and media.
Through their work, artists who practise Aboriginal traditional visual arts forms show their respect for and knowledge of the historical traditions and the development and context of their art form. They are committed to ensuring the survival of that knowledge for future generations.
Aboriginal arts organizations can apply to this program or to any other Canada Council for the Arts program, if they meet the requirements in the program guidelines (including the eligibility criteria). Individual Aboriginal artists may apply to the Aboriginal Traditional Visual Art Forms Program for Individuals.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply to This Program?
This program is open only to Aboriginal people of Canada, which the Canada Council defines as Inuit, Métis, and Status and Non-Status people.
Groups, collectives, cultural centres and other organizations applying to this program must be operated by Aboriginal people and must have the support and recognition of other arts service professionals and organizations.
What Types of Activities Does This Program Support?
This program has two components, and they support the following activities.
Research Grants
Under this component, Aboriginal organizations can apply for financial support to research the techniques and materials used traditionally by Aboriginal peoples in the making and use of artworks. Research projects can include activities to prepare for the creation of artworks and activities to regain knowledge for the benefit of the Aboriginal community at large.
Dissemination Grants
Aboriginal organizations can may apply for funding that will assist with the costs of producing documentation and publications about the history and contexts of Aboriginal traditional arts forms. Such documentation can include catalogues, anthologies, brochures and booklets, as well as videotapes and CD-ROMs.
Funding is also available for organizing workshops, lecture series, conferences and round-tables that expand the knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal traditional visual art forms.
What Art Forms Does This Program Fund?
Both program components support work that is driven by a desire to create, preserve or disseminate knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal traditional visual arts forms as a means of artistic expression. These art forms include basketry, appliqué, beadwork, birchbark biting, quillwork, button blankets, Salish and Raven’s Tail weaving, Aboriginal pottery/clay techniques, wood-carving, and stone- and bone-carving. This may not be a complete list, and others will be considered equally.
What Activities Are Not Funded by This Program?
The following are not eligible for funding:
- projects (or parts of projects) that have been completed already;
- studio and/or business set-up costs;
- ongoing costs for previously operating studios and/or businesses;
- costs of producing a line of commercial production items;
- costs of copying or reproducing existing works;
- commissioned projects;
- student projects; and
- purchase of major equipment.
How Much Is Available and What Costs Can be Covered?
Research Grants
Aboriginal organizations may apply for a maximum of $20,000. Grants can be used to cover travel, subsistence (maximum of $2,000 a month), equipment rental, and transcription and translation costs. Organizations may also apply for honorarium fees and administration costs related to the project.
Dissemination Grants
Organziations may apply for grants of $3,000 to $20,000. These grants are intended for publishing and translation costs as well as costs related to organizing workshops, lecture series and conferences and presenting exhibitions that contribute to the knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal traditional visual art forms.
All Components
Applicants located in the Far North (north of 60 degrees) or in fly-in communities may apply for additional travel and accommodation costs. A maximum of $5,000 is available for these additional costs.
How Does the Canada Council Assess the Applications?
Applications will be evaluated by a peer assessment committee, which will be composed of three Aboriginal artists. The committee members must be recognized as Aboriginal artists in their communities. They will be selected to ensure fair representation of artistic specialization, gender, Canada’s two official languages and the various regions of Canada. New committees will be set up for each competition.
What Are the Assessments Based On?
The main assessment criterion for both program components is the artistic merit of the proposal. The committee will also take into consideration the grant’s potential impact on the applicant’s career, or on the community/region where the organization serves (within a national context).
Application Form
Aboriginal Traditional Visual Art Forms Program for Organizations (pdf, 396KB)
This form can only be printed and cannot be filled out on-line.
Further Information
Jim Logan
Visual Arts Section
Canada Council for the Arts
350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa ON K1P 5V8
Telephone: 1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or (613) 566-4414, ext. 5266
TTY (TDD) machine, for hearing-impaired callers: (613) 565-5194
Fax: (613) 566-4332
July 2007