Arts grants applications open to Island artists

Professional artists on P.E.I. are invited to apply for funding in the fall 2019 round of arts grants.

Applications for funding to support growth and creativity can be submitted online at https :// prince edward island. ca/artsgrants for three types of grants: creation, dissemination, and professional development. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m.

Successful applicants are selected by a six-member jury of their arts community peers, which is modelled on the practice followed by the Canada Council of the Arts.

There is $50,000 available in this round of funding, with another round of $50,000 in the spring.

In the spring round of arts grants, Sandstone Comics was awarded $5,500 to support the production of the second edition of its book.

“We really have to thank the arts grants and Innovation P.E.I. for their support. It means we will have to rely a bit less on the crowd funding for our second edition,” said Greg Webster, one of the creators of Sandstone Comics.

“This support lets us think a little less about fundraising and cultivating investors and focus on the things we love – writing and drawing and producing comics like the ones that we have always enjoyed.”

Since the fall of 2016, the province has supported 86 projects by Island artists with grants totaling $350,000.

“These arts grants are helping artists’ work come to life, and in return, directly contributing to our Island cultural sector,” said Culture Minister Matthew MacKay.

“We are committed to continue providing arts grants twice a year to support our Island artists – it’s incredibly rewarding and remarkable to see the projects created by the artists benefitting from the funding.”