Applications open for CultivART Indigenous Program (Canada)

Deadline: 14-Oct-26

The CultivART Indigenous Program – Organization Component provides grants to arts and culture organizations on the Island of Montréal to host paid internships for emerging Indigenous artists and cultural workers. Each selected internship receives up to $20,000, covering the intern’s compensation, mentor fees, and eligible internship expenses for an approximately six-month placement. What Is the CultivART Indigenous Program? The CultivART Indigenous Program supports the professional development of emerging Indigenous artists and cultural workers through practical, paid work experience. The Organization Component provides funding directly to eligible arts and culture organizations so they can create an internship in collaboration with an emerging Indigenous artist or cultural worker and an experienced Indigenous or racialized mentor.

The program is designed to:

- Provide emerging Indigenous creatives with professional experience. - Support career development and skills building. - Create meaningful relationships between interns and mentors. - Strengthen Indigenous representation within Montréal’s arts and culture sector. - Encourage knowledge sharing and professional networking. - Help arts organizations develop Indigenous-focused initiatives. What Does the Program Fund? The program funds an approximately six-month internship, equivalent to about 650 hours of work.

Each internship includes:

- A paid placement for an emerging Indigenous artist or cultural worker. - Approximately 150 hours of mentorship. - Professional activities connected to the organization’s mandate. - Opportunities for artistic, cultural, administrative, or sector-specific development. Internship activities should provide meaningful professional experience rather than simply unpaid volunteer work. Funding Amount The Conseil des arts de Montréal provides a total contribution of $20,000 per internship.

The funding is divided as follows:

- $12,500 for the intern’s compensation. - Up to $5,000 for the mentor. - $2,500 for expenses incurred during the internship. Accessibility costs for D/deaf and/or disabled participants may be eligible for reimbursement through a separate support fund. Who Is Eligible? The program has eligibility requirements for the host organization, intern, and mentor. Eligible Organizations

Applicants must generally be:

- Non-profit arts and culture organizations based on the Island of Montréal. - Artists’ cooperatives based on the Island of Montréal. - Organizations with a board of directors composed primarily of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. For Indigenous organizations, the board must be primarily composed of Indigenous members residing in Quebec. Organizations may apply for one internship per year. Eligible Interns

Interns must be:

- Indigenous artists or cultural workers. - First Nations, Inuit, or Métis of Canada. - Residents of Canada. The program is specifically intended for emerging professionals seeking practical experience and career development in the arts and cultural sector. Eligible Mentors

Mentors must be:

- Indigenous or racialized artists or cultural workers. - Canadian citizens or permanent residents. - Able to provide meaningful professional guidance during the internship. The mentor is expected to contribute approximately 150 hours during the six-month internship. What Types of Projects Can Be Supported? The internship can be connected to a variety of arts and cultural activities.

Eligible areas may include:

- Artistic research. - Arts creation and production. - Specialized artistic presentations. - Multidisciplinary presentations. - Cultural magazine publication. - Arts events and festivals. - Indigenous arts initiatives. - Services supporting Indigenous artists or communities. - Other activities consistent with the organization’s eligible arts or cultural mandate. The proposed internship should provide the participant with relevant professional experience and clearly defined learning or development opportunities. Why the Program Matters Emerging artists and cultural workers often need practical professional experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build sector networks. The CultivART Indigenous Program addresses these needs by combining paid employment, structured mentorship, and professional development. The program benefits both participants and host organizations by: - Building Indigenous creative-sector talent. - Improving access to professional opportunities. - Supporting knowledge transfer between generations and peers. - Creating stronger relationships between Indigenous professionals and arts institutions. - Encouraging greater diversity and inclusion in Montréal’s cultural sector. Internship Structure Each supported internship lasts approximately six months.

The expected structure is:

- Duration: Approximately 6 months.

- Workload: Approximately 650 hours.

- Intern compensation: $12,500.

- Mentorship: Approximately 150 hours.

- Mentor support: Up to $5,000.

- Internship expenses: $2,500.

- Total grant: $20,000.

The organization should establish clear objectives, responsibilities, activities, and expected outcomes before the internship begins. How to Apply Applications are submitted through the ORORA portal.

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Ensure that the organization:

- Is an eligible non-profit organization or artists’ cooperative. - Is based on the Island of Montréal. - Meets the applicable board composition requirements. - Has an eligible arts or cultural mandate. - Has not already submitted another CultivART Indigenous internship application during the same year.

Step 2: Identify the Intern

Select an emerging Indigenous artist or cultural worker who meets the program requirements.

The organization should consider:

- The intern’s artistic or cultural practice. - Professional development goals. - Relevant skills and experience. - How the internship will contribute to career development. - The relationship between the intern