Connections & Exchanges Initiatives

Overview of the Connections & Exchanges Initiatives program:

Launched in 2019, the Connections & Exchanges Initiatives program invests in new and existing arts and heritage activities, enabling resiliency and innovation within Edmonton's cultural sector. It supports collaborations and creations, the artistic work of non-profit organizations, and fosters a collective responsibility for implementing the Connections & Exchanges plan. EDMONTON ARTS The program emphasizes inclusivity, leadership, excellence, and innovation in the arts and heritage communities. It is particularly committed to supporting Indigenous artists and artists from equity-seeking groups, ensuring that funded initiatives reflect the diverse values of Edmonton's communities.

Benefits of the Connections & Exchanges Initiatives program:

• Financial Support: Provides grants to support a wide range of arts and heritage projects, fostering innovation and resilience within Edmonton's cultural sector.
• Professional Development: Encourages collaborations that enhance the skills and expertise of artists and arts professionals.
• Community Engagement: Supports initiatives that reflect the diverse values of Edmonton's communities, promoting inclusivity and cultural expression.
• Strategic Alignment: Assists organizations in contributing to the goals outlined in the Connections & Exchanges 10-year plan.

Eligibility criteria of the Connections & Exchanges Initiatives program:

• Organizations must:
• Be a non-profit organization with a primary arts or festival mandate;
• Have an up-to-date organizational profile in the Edmonton Arts Council online portal, SmartSimple;
• Not be in arrears with the City of Edmonton.
• ELIGIBLE INITIATIVES MUST BE:
• Relevant to the organizations mission, mandate, activities or strategic plans;
• Engage and pay artists and/or arts professionals fair and professional compensation;
• Time specific, with a defined start (after the application deadline) and end date;
• Either a new initiative, or a significant change to an existing activity.
• WHAT IS A GOOD FIT
• Examples of projects that might fit within the Connections & Exchanges Initiatives Program:
• A dance organization commissions an emerging choreographer to create a new work for future production/presentation.
• An organization supports a tour of landscape themed paintings by local visual artists to various small cities in Alberta.
• A community-based choir hosts an established conductor, to guest conduct and offer professional development to the choir members.
• A writer support organization establishes a buddy system to provide support for first-time novelists.
• An Indigenous-led theatre company increases the development, workshop and/or rehearsal process to incorporate consultations with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Two Edmonton-based organizations of different disciplines take an already created multidisciplinary work featuring Edmonton artists on tour to central Canada for a week.
• WHAT IS NOT SUPPORTED
• This funding opportunity is not intended to support:
• Direct spending on capital projects or acquisitions;
• Programming already described in the organizations most recent annual programming or operating funding submission (if not explicitly being expanded upon, as described in this application);
• Activity that is already supported by the City of Edmonton through other sources;
• Any expenses paid before the application deadline.