Arts Infrastructure Grants
4 grants are presented to individual professional artists / arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives, organizations and businesses dedicated to developing the arts in the following areas:
- Community Arts
- Literary Arts
- Performing Arts
- Visual Arts
Value: $3,000 each
Arts Infrastructure Categories
Windsor Endowment for the Arts awards one Arts Infrastructure Grant for each of the four following categories:
1. Community Arts
This grant is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the general development of community arts in Windsor and Essex County, especially through the following activities:
- Increasing community participation in the arts;
- Broadening local access to the arts;
- Using the arts as a means to promote social awareness; and/or
- Developing public projects that enhance the general quality of life of those in the community, or in specific under serviced, disadvantaged, at-risk or specialized groups within the community.
Specific examples of community arts infrastructure projects might include youth arts education classes, an urban arts improvement initiative, or the restoration of a public landmark. Another example might include a program that facilitates public access to privately funded works of art.
Funds provided: $3,000.
2. Literary Arts
This grant is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of the literary arts in Windsor and Essex County. Its focus is to promote the local development of any or all of the following disciplines: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, journalism, and book publishing.
Specific examples of literary arts infrastructure projects might include the organization of creative writing workshops for veterans, a series of local poetry readings, public seminars designed to help emerging local authors find publication, and so forth.
Funds provided: $3,000.
3. Performing Arts
This grant is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of the performing arts in Windsor and Essex County. Its focus is to promote local music, dance, and theatre, or any combination thereof.
Specific examples of performing arts infrastructure projects might include the organization of public recitals or plays. Another example might include the maintenance or development of a local performance arts venue.
Funds provided: $3,000.
4. Visual Arts
This grant is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the visual arts in Windsor and Essex County. Its focus is to promote local fine art, fine craft, design art, and media art (including cinema), or any combination thereof.
Specific examples of visual arts infrastructure projects might include the development of public gallery spaces, the screening of local independent film, or the hosting of craft shows. Another example might include the organization of a program that showcases the works of local designers.
Funds provided: $3,000.
In 2020, the Visual Arts Infrastructure Grant was renamed The Carolye Rourke Visual Arts Infrastructure Grant in honour of President Emerita Carolyne Rourke, who retired from her role as WEA president in November 2019 after 20 years of volunteer service.
Grant Funding
Arts Infrastructure Grants are awarded to individual professional artists/arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives, organizations and businesses dedicated to building and/or maintaining arts infrastructure in Windsor and Essex County. Arts infrastructure projects encourage the development of local art by providing a strong framework of financial, material and/or organizational support to artists and arts organizations.
The funding provided by these grants may be used to:
- Sustain ongoing arts infrastructure projects;
- Develop a new arts infrastructure project;
- Support audience development for local arts;
- Promote new forms of art;
- Promote art in non-traditional venues; and/or
- Encourage innovation and creative expression among the general public.
Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals must:
- Be a professional artist/arts professional.
*WEA uses the Ontario Arts Council‘s definition of a professional artist/arts professional: “someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by artists working in the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work and actively practices their art. Short breaks in artistic work history are acceptable.”
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be a resident of Windsor or one of the municipalities in Essex County.
Ad Hoc Groups or Collectives must:
- Have at least 50 percent of their members residing in Windsor or Essex County.
- Be comprised of at least two members who meet eligibility requirements for individuals (listed above) and who will be responsible for the administration of the grant on behalf of the ad hoc group/collective.
- Not be a corporation.
- Be able to deposit a grant cheque in the name of the ad hoc group/collective.
- Note: ad hoc groups/collectives may be formed for a one-time project (ad hoc group) or have ongoing activity (collective).
*WEA uses the same eligibility requirements for ad hoc groups/collectives as outlined by the Ontario Arts Council.
Organizations must:
- Be located in Windsor or Essex County.
- Be incorporated in Ontario or federally as a not-for-profit corporation; or
- Be a charitable organization or foundation registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Be governed by a volunteer board of directors or an advisory board.
Businesses must:
- Be located in Windsor or Essex County.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for a WEA grant, please email Stephanie at info@wea-arts.com. Emails will be answered within 24 hours from Monday – Saturday.
Application Process
The application window for the 2022 Awards & Grants Program has closed.
The next opportunity to apply for a WEA art grant will be in January 2024.
Grants Selection Process
All grants are awarded by a jury made up of community members recognized for the knowledge, skill, and expertise they bring to their artistic fields. The Board of Directors of WEA is responsible for their selection. The identity of the jurors will be made public at the Awards and Grants Ceremony.
The decisions of this jury are final.
Program Timeline
- January 25: Online application portal opens.
- March 25: At midnight, the online application portal closes.
- Mid-April: The jury panels review and deliberate on the grant submissions.
- May 2: Successful grant applicants will be notified by phone call and/or email.
- May: The WEAs Awards and Grants Ceremony. Date & Venue TBD
- November: Progress reports on each grant project to be submitted to WEA.
Confidentiality
Personal information submitted by the applicants and discussions pertaining to the applicants’ submissions are held in strict confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the button below to read the list of Frequently Asked Questions.