March 14, 2016

New Grants for Emerging Artists Spark Creative Projects

The City of Vancouver is pleased to offer a new grant program for emerging artists, presented in partnership with ArtStarts in Schools. Creative Spark Vancouver supports emerging artists and fosters their capacity to work with young people.

Creative Spark Vancouver empowers emerging artists to engage young people (ages 5-18) in arts-based projects. Emerging artists across all artistic disciplines are invited to apply. Applicants must be residents of the City of Vancouver or residents and members of the Musqueam, Squamish or Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

"Vancouver has the highest concentration of artists per capita in Canada and our creative sector is a big part of our city’s nation-leading economic growth. Creative Spark Vancouver targets support to our local emerging artists so that they can build their CV and launch their career right here in Vancouver," said Mayor Robertson. "Vancouver City Council is pleased to launch this new grant program in partnership with ArtStarts in Schools, and we can’t wait to see what creative ideas come forward from our cultural community."

"When young people engage in the arts, something special happens. Creative experiences in the arts enable young people to explore new ways of learning, new ways of expressing themselves, and new ways of seeing and interacting with the world around them. The arts plant the seed for young people to grow up to be creative, innovative and engaged members of society," says Lia Dicicco, Interim Executive Director at ArtStarts. "We are thrilled about the exciting opportunities for both emerging artists and young people that will be made possible through this partnership with the City of Vancouver."

The grants offer 100% funding for small projects, up to $1,000. These funds are intended to cover artist fees, project materials and supplies, rentals and honoraria. The goals of Creative Spark Vancouver are to:

• Build the capacity and confidence of emerging artists working with young people and arts-based learning;
• Provide young people opportunities to engage actively in the arts; and
• Embrace diversity, innovation and artistic excellence.  

Creative Spark Vancouver enables emerging artists to gain experience on small projects that could lead to new career opportunities, new community relationships, different perspectives on arts and education, future learning opportunities and exciting multi-faceted projects.

An information session for artists interested in learning more about Creative Spark Vancouver will be held on March 24 from 2pm to 4pm at ArtStarts in Schools (808 Richards Street, Vancouver). RSVP at http://creativesparkvancouver.eventbrite.ca

Upcoming deadlines to apply for Creative Spark Vancouver grants are  April 15 and August 4, 2016.

Funded by the City of Vancouver, Creative Spark Vancouver grants will be disbursed by ArtStarts in Schools, a not-for-profit organization recognized as a leader transforming the way BC’s young people are engaged in and through the arts, and in promoting the value of the arts in young lives. 

To learn more, visit: http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/grants-for-emerging-artists.aspx

For full details and to apply, visit: http://artstarts.com/creativesparkvancouver

Social Sharing