Indigenous Arts

The Individual Artists program helps artists to improve their skills and knowledge, pursue new approaches, exhibit or perform and gain recognition from their peers.

The Individual Artist Program is for Indigenous artists and art professionals residing in B.C. Artists should have a demonstrated commitment to their artistic practice in any artistic discipline – visual, music, dance, theatre, literary or media and including the contemporary practice of traditionally-based forms.

Purpose

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) supports Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) creativity and celebrates the vitality of diverse cultural and artistic expression.

Indigenous Arts Projects is a multidisciplinary program supporting professional Indigenous artists, ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations to research, develop, and create new work. The presentation and sharing of Indigenous artistic work and initiatives strengthens and enriches the arts and culture overall, while benefiting both Indigenous artists and their communities.

Purpose

The program funds the work of Ontario-based Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour. It aims to increase the ability of Ontario public galleries, artist-run centres and other organizations to present projects by Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour in contexts determined by the participants. The program supports relationship building between curators, galleries, and audiences. There are two categories:

Purpose

The program supports craft-based practices through grants to Ontario-based artists, curators, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations. The program has five categories:

Purpose

The program supports opportunities for Ontario artists at any stage of their career to acquire new artistic skills to advance their arts practice. It funds all contemporary and traditional art practices that are supported at OAC. All learning must be led by an expert and include feedback throughout the training period. Experts include mentors, teachers, trainers, and Elders. Projects may include study, training, mentorship, and/or apprenticeship.

There are two categories:

Purpose

The program supports the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects in Ontario. Activities involve professional Ontario artists and community members working together to design, develop and realize collective creative experiences.

The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award (KAMA) is a biennial prize that supports the practice of an Inuk artist by facilitating opportunities for artistic development and career growth. Established in 2014 by generous members of the Inuit art community, this award honours the life and work of the late Kenojuak Ashevak, and her unparalleled contributions to the cultural life and arts of Inuit Nunangat and beyond by providing funding to artists to expand their careers and reach new audiences.