Arts grants applications now accepted

Deadline to apply is Oct. 24

Island artists are now invited to apply for the fall 2018 round of arts grants. Applications for the funding can be submitted online to the provincial government for three types of grants: creation, dissemination and professional development.

“Island artists make a vital contribution to our unique culture and help to tell the story of our people and our way of life,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Chris Palmer said.

“Over the last three years we have provided $250,000 to support artists and their projects through our arts grants and we look forward to seeing the applications during this round of funding.”

Successful applicants are selected by a six-member jury of their arts community peers, which is modeled on a practice followed by the Canada Council of the Arts – $50,000 is available in this round of funding. “The PEI Arts Grants program provides Island artists with crucial support,” said Monica Lacey, one of the artists that received funding in the previous round of arts grants earlier this year. “The impact on my own career has been significant over the years through the receipt of a number of these grants. Having this support, particularly in the creation of new work, sets the circumstances in which I can concentrate and produce new ideas. For me as a professional artist, this program is absolutely essential.”

The arts grants program was introduced in 2016.

A key item from the Culture Action Plan is to support Island artists in creating and disseminating their work. The action plan will see over $1.45 million invested to support culture in the 2018-2019 provincial budget.

Deadline to apply for the grants is Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. For more information on the arts grants, visit: https://www. princeedwardisland.ca/artsgrants.