Chalmers Arts Fellowships
Chalmers Arts Fellowships provide Ontario artists with a significant block of time to undertake an investigation or examination of their artistic practice instead of creating or producing work. The program provides support at a time in an artist’s career when a concentration on artistic growth will have a transformative impact on their long-term artistic development. Professional artists in all disciplines with an artistic practice of more than 10 years are eligible.
Offered by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Amount
Up to $50,000
Minimum $30,000, maximum $50,000; the grant can cover 100 per cent of eligible expenses
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Individual professional artists who:
- have been practicing for more than 10 years
- are Ontario residents
- are working in an arts practice supported at OAC (see Ineligible applicants section for a list of exceptions)
Important
:
- Artists’ résumés must show more than 10 years in which they were actively practicing. Professional practice must include publication or public presentation/exhibition.
- Applicants must meet program and OAC eligibility criteria at the time of submitting an application and for the duration of the project.
Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.
Important
: If you have received a grant in Chalmers Professional Development Projects or Chalmers Arts Fellowships you must complete the project and submit a final report before applying to Chalmers Arts Fellowships.
About the funding
- Minimum $30,000, maximum $50,000
Important
:
- The grant can cover 100 per cent of eligible expenses. If your expenses exceed the grant request, you must have additional revenue sources to cover them.
Show all funding details
- Due to the number of applications received and the limited funds available, grants awarded may be smaller than the amount requested.
Grant payments are made in January.
Projects in which the individual artist takes a significant block of time to examine and investigate their artistic practice, without the responsibility of creating and producing artworks.
The project work plan must show concentrated periods of time dedicated to this activity, totalling six to 12 months.
Projects can take place in Ontario, Canada and/or internationally, and in a single location or multiple locations.
Examples of past Chalmers Arts Fellowships awarded:
- A writer investigated the nature of storytelling and listening. The grant enabled the artist to travel, meet poets, folklorists, anthropologists, activists, writers, composers and other artists, and examine how new stories, myths and traditions are being sustained and reinvented in the modern world.
- A musician explored the traditional instruments and songs of a local culture. This artist met musicians to explore the foundations of their craft. The artist became more aware of the communal aspect of making music, particularly the powerful effect it has on people’s daily life, emotional experience, sense of ritual and feeling of belonging.
Eligible expenses
- applicant’s artist fee: suggested $3,400 flat fee for each full month of the project (or pro-rated if you are working on this project part-time)
- Note: This program is intended to support the applicant’s time, so the applicant’s artist fee should make up most of the project’s expenses.
- consultant/specialist fees: suggested $500 daily flat fee (or pro-rated)
- fees and expenses for persons hired to work under the artist’s direction to assist, not collaborate, on the project
- venue and equipment rental: suggested maximum of $3,000
- studio/workspace rented specifically for the project
- purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics and similar materials required to carry out the project
- out-of-town travel/transportation expenses (for the applicant only)
- accommodation
- Note: Accommodation expenses should be economical, such as renting an apartment instead of a hotel room during an extended stay.
- per diem/meal allowances
- other expenses: suggested maximum of $4,000
- fees to participate at an artist-in-residence program
- fees to access archives, collections and exhibitions or attend performances
- supplies to carry out the project
- visa fees
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement Incentive (AI) | Grant | Up to $17,000 | Open |
| Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJC) | Grant | Eligible training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee | Open |
| Chalmers Professional Development Projects | Grant | $7,500 per grant in each category (artists practicing 10 years or less, artists practicing 11 years or more, arts administrators) | Open |
| Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials | Grant | Grants of $500 or $1,000 to help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies only | Open |
