Jaalen Edenshaw
Apply for an Arts Grant
Are you an artist or organization on Haida Gwaii in need of some help bringing your creative vision to life?
The Arts Grant offers up to $10,000 per project for artists and art groups.
Interested? Here’s everything you need to know to apply.
Who Can Apply?
You
If you’re an artist living on Haida Gwaii for at least 24 consecutive months.
OR
Your Group
If you’re a non-profit art group on Haida Gwaii or an organization with an arts mandate.
Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, we welcome your application!
Artistic Disciplines We Support
Ceremonial
Performing
Music
Literary
Textiles
Digital
Visual
Crafts
Fashion
We support a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Unsure if your project fits? Contact Us!
Eligible Expenses
- Artist/mentor fees (up to $400/day)
- Travel (up to $2,000)
- Materials and supplies
- Exhibition, courses, or publication costs
- Tools and equipment (up to maximum of 20%)
- Workshops, courses, or training programs
- Workspace or equipment rentals
- Up to 10% for administrative costs (for art groups)
The Arts Grant Process
Applications Open (6 weeks before deadline)
* Start preparing by writing a short project summary, gathering samples of your work, and estimating your costs.
Submit Your Application (Deadline: November 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM)
* Submit everything online through the Gwaii Trust portal. Make sure you include all required documents.
Review and Decision (Within 2 Months)
* The Gwaii Trust Board of Directors reviews your application and makes funding decisions. You’ll hear back within about two months
Approval and Next Steps
* If your project is approved, review the terms, keep your receipts, and if you need some funds in advance, just ask.
Complete Your Project
* Once your project is done, submit your final budget, all receipts, and a brief project summary with photos – we’d love to share your success!
FAQs
- The Arts Grant is here to help you grow as an artist and connect with your community. Here’s how it can support you:
- Mentorship opportunities: Learn from experienced artists who can share important skills and traditional knowledge with you.
- Kickstart your career: If you’re just starting out, the grant can help you take the next step toward becoming a professional artist.
- Grow your craft: For established artists, it offers the chance to further develop your creative work.
- Build your skills: Use the grant for training or other professional development that helps you grow as an artist.
- Bring art to the community: Help more people engage with and enjoy the arts on Haida Gwaii through your project.
- To see if your project is a good fit, think about whether it helps the cultural, economic, or environmental well-being of Haida Gwaii. Gwaii Trust focuses on:
- Promoting – cultural and economic health
- Encouraging – local decision-making
- Improving – community well-being
- Supporting – education and artistic expression
- Fostering – cooperation, understanding and trust
- Creating – jobs and improving infrastructure
- Conserving – land, marine ecosystems, and archaeological sites
- Conducting – research on Haida Gwaii’s environment and history
- Planning – for a sustainable economy
- Providing – services where no municipal government exists
- If your project helps with any of these goals, it’s probably a great fit!
- We want to help as many artists as we can! Here’s what we prioritize when deciding:
- First-time applicants and those who haven’t received a grant in the past 3 years.
- Projects that support emerging or established artists.
- Projects with a cultural impact that benefit communities on Haida Gwaii.
- Mentorship projects, where experienced artists share skills and traditional knowledge with others.
- We’re excited to support projects that make a positive difference in the community!
- There are a few things the Arts Grant won’t cover. You can’t use the grant for:
- Marketing or promotion costs
- Touring off Haida Gwaii
- Creating merchandise to sell
- Fundraising, prizes, or awards
- Building or renovating studios or spaces
- Running your business (payroll, utilities, etc.)
- The focus of the Arts Grant is to support your creative work directly. If you’re unsure about an expense, feel free to ask!