Introducing a Co-Delivery Pilot Initiative to Support Inuit Artists
Ottawa, June 15, 2022—The Inuit Art Foundation (IAF) and the Canada Council for Arts are thrilled to announce the development of a new national, Inuit-specific funding pilot program in the spirit of self-determination. The Canada Council will support the IAF as it works with Inuit communities throughout Inuit Nunangat and the south to co-develop a multidisciplinary granting program that will launch this coming winter and distribute over $100,000 in its first year.
This partnership builds on both organizations' mutual commitments to supporting Inuit artists in all aspects of their careers. The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts, while the IAF seeks to empower Inuit artists’ self-expression and self-determination across disciplines, while increasing access to and awareness of artists’ work.
Grounded in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, this program will be shaped by community feedback across Inuit Nunangat and southern Canada to ensure it meets the needs of artists working today. To support Inuit leadership in all aspects of the arts, the pilot program will also offer capacity building opportunities for Inuit as program officers and on assessment committees.
Access to Inuit specific grants at this level will create opportunities for Inuit artists to be part of both private and public art opportunities. Without the necessity of frequent sales, an artist is free to explore art creation outside the confines of the commercial art market.
To learn more about the program and help shape its future, please visit inuitartfoundation.org/IAFxCCA and sign up for the IAF’s newsletter. Information will also be available to artists directly through the IAF’s upcoming Developing Qanuqtuurniq: Inuit Artist Portal, launching this fall.
“Over the past few years, we have made great strides in representation for Inuit within arts administration, but for the Inuit Art Foundation to be a part of this funding model is a huge leap towards Inuit self-determination. Artists will be free to express themselves with less market pressures and I am excited to see how this further shapes the evolution of Inuit art.”
—Heather Campbell, Strategic Initiatives Director, Inuit Art Foundation
“I am thrilled that the synergies and connections we are forging through the 2022 Arctic Arts Summit have led us to launch this ground-breaking national pilot program dedicated to Inuit funding. By working in partnership and collaboration with the Inuit Arts Foundation to establish a system of support for Inuit artists, we intend to enable the pursuit of sustainable careers in arts and culture and to contribute to capacity building within communities across Canada.”
—Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
“Being awarded a grant as an artist is a big encouragement. The money does come in handy, especially when you’re starting out. When I first graduated, I received a grant from Canada Council not long after and that allowed me to buy just about all my jewellery and silversmithing tools. It helped me get a really good start in setting up my own practice and business when it came time to do that.”
—Michael Massie, CM, Inuk artist, previous Canada Council grant recipient and IAF board member
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada's public arts funder, with a mandate to "foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts." The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments contribute to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and support its presence across Canada and abroad. The Council’s investments foster greater engagement in the arts among Canadians and international audiences.
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