Indigenous Arts & Culture Fund - Incubation Stream

Overview of the Indigenous Arts & Culture Fund - Incubation Stream program:

Toronto has been an important site for gathering, trading and celebration for Indigenous people for thousands of years. It is the treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and its land and waters have been stewarded by the Haudenosaunee, the Huron Wendat and the Anishinaabe. Toronto continues to be home to many diverse Indigenous peoples, whose artistic and creative contributions are vital to the fabric of the city. The fund aims to spark new relationships between Indigenous artists, arts and culture professionals and potential partners at both the grassroots and institutional levels. The fund has two key streams: Incubation and Activation Steams. Incubation funding supports first-time initiatives, project research or pilot phases. This funding supports incubation or development activities that allow eligible applicants to apply for a larger amount through the Activation Stream at a later deadline.

Benefits of the Indigenous Arts & Culture Fund - Incubation Stream program:

• Funding for Indigenous-led artistic and cultural projects
• Support for developmental, pilot, and incubation activities
• Funding for major cultural presentations, exhibitions, festivals, collaborations, and residencies
• Opportunities to expand economic impact and visibility for Indigenous creatives
• Capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and skills development opportunities
• Projects assessed by Indigenous community members
• Long timeline: up to two years to complete funded projects

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous Arts & Culture Fund - Incubation Stream program:

• Eligible Applicants
• Open to Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Inuit, Metis) people, including:
• Individual artists, arts and culture leaders and professionals
• Groups and collectives
• Non-profit Indigenous organizations
• Eligible Activities
• Incubation or development phases of new initiatives for Indigenous arts and culture presentations, gatherings, creative collaborations and exchanges that have the potential for economic benefits, transformative impact and/or increased visibility.
• Short-term or pilot residency programs, including artistic, knowledge-sharing, business, creative, technical or skills-based development.
• Market research, impact studies, development of best practices and protocols that will support the advancement of Indigenous arts and culture.
• Documenting and sharing Indigenous perspectives, ways of life in an environment of mutual exchange and reciprocity.
• Conducting research into traditional or historical practices in the context of contemporary expressions of art and culture.