Emerging Artist Grants
4 grants are presented to support the professional and creative development of Emerging Artists (2-7 years of art practice) in the following areas:
- Film Arts
- Literary Arts
- Performing Arts
- Visual Arts
Value: $3,000 each
*PROJECTS must be scheduled to begin AFTER The WEAs Awards & Grants Celebration in May. WEA does not fund projects retroactively.
Emerging Artist Grant Categories
Windsor Endowment for the Arts awards one Emerging Artist Grant for each of the four following categories:
1. Film Arts
This grant is awarded to emerging filmmakers in Windsor and Essex County for the creation of short films (fiction/documentary), feature-length films (fiction/documentary), and film screenplays.
This grant does not fund:
- Films that have been created prior to January 31, 2024. WEA does not fund retroactively.
- Films shot mostly outside of the City of Windsor or Essex County.
- Films created by a filmmaker and/or crew who are not residents of the City of Windsor or Essex County.
- The production of a music video or commercial.
Funds provided: $3,000.
2. Literary Arts
This grant is awarded to emerging writers and poets in Windsor and Essex County for the creation of fiction books, non-fiction books, and poetry collections.
This grant does not fund:
- Work that has been created prior to January 31, 2024. WEA does not fund retroactively.
Funds provided: $3,000.
3. Performing Arts
This grant is awarded to emerging performing artists in Windsor and Essex County for the creation of a music concert, music album, dance performance, one-person show, stand-up comedy show, puppetry, playwrighting etc.
This grant does not fund:
- Projects that have been created prior to January 31, 2024. WEA does not fund retroactively.
- Performing arts shows created and/or shown only outside the City of Windsor or Essex County.
- Music albums created by musicians and/or production crew who are not residents of the City of Windsor or Essex County.
- Music videos.
Funds provided: $3,000
4. Lois Smedick Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Grant
This grant is awarded to emerging visual artists in Windsor and Essex County for the creation of fine art, fine craft, design art, digital art, photography, fashion design, and sculpture for exhibition to the public locally and/or internationally.
This grant does not fund:
- Projects that have been created prior to January 31, 2024. WEA does not fund retroactively.
- Art shows exhibited only outside of the City of Windsor or Essex County.
Funds provided: $3,000
In 2018, the Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Grant was renamed The Lois Smedick Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Grant in honour of our late board director, Lois Smedick, the renowned and respected Windsor scholar and arts patron.
Grant Funding
Emerging Artist Grants are awarded to support the professional and creative development of artists at the start of their careers (with 2-7 years of art practice). These grants may be used to:
- Develop a new project
- Support an ongoing project
- Aid research and study
- Promote new forms of art to the general public
Artists who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications for Emerging Artist grants will be accepted from an Individual Artist, Artist Duo, or Two Artist Collaborators who meet the following criteria:
- Is/Are Member(s) of Windsor Endowment for the Arts (WEA).
- Has been a resident of the City of Windsor or one of the municipalities within Essex County for at least one year prior to applying for this grant.
- Is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Is 18 years of age or older.
- Is recognized as a professional, practicing artist by other artists working in the same field.
*This means that you are actively making art, not just thinking about it. You have shown your work in public. Other artists doing similar work see you as a peer. If you are an undergrad student, you are not considered a professional artist yet (exceptions apply).
- Has completed basic training (formal or informal) in your field.
*This means you have finished school (or workshops, courses, mentorships, etc.) in your field, or you are self-taught, and are now practicing your art or craft for the long term.
- Has 2 – 7 years of experience practicing your art.
*Experience can mean lots of things. For example, you have been painting for a few years, or have spent several years studying dance or composing music. If you can talk about your practice, your art and your personal approach, you are probably an experienced artist.
- You seek payment for your work.
*Do you sell your work? Do you charge admission to see your work? Do you receive compensation for your work? You don’t have to be making a living solely from your art, but you seek an income from it.
- Can demonstrate a commitment to your artistic development.
* Do you attend workshops, seminars, courses or receive mentorship in your field? Have you served on the board of an arts organization, or are involved with an art exhibition, event, festival etc. in Windsor-Essex?
*PROJECTS must be scheduled to begin AFTER The WEAs Awards & Grants Celebration in May. WEA does not fund projects retroactively.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for a WEA grant, please email [email protected]. Emails will be answered within 24 hours from Monday–Friday.
*Description from Ontario Arts Council. (2019). OAC Grant Application 3rd Edition Survival Guide: Tips and must-dos for preparing an application to the Ontario Arts Council [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://www.arts.on.ca/oac/media/oac/Grants/Grant-Survival-Guide-EN.pdf?ext=.pdf
WEA Membership
Not a Member of WEA? No problem! You can purchase a $25 Individual Membership by visiting our Join & Support page.
* If you are applying as an Artist Duo or Two Artist Collaborators the “Contact Person” on your grant application must be a WEA Member.
- WEA Memberships are valid for 1 year from the day of purchase
- All membership fees are eligible for a charitable tax receipt
- Members will be added to our mailing list to stay informed about our events like The WEAs Awards & Grants Celebration
- Members will be invited to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in mid-November where they have the right to vote.
If you have purchased a WEA Membership in the past but are unsure if it is still valid, contact [email protected].
Join us to SUPPORT, PROMOTE, and CELEBRATE artists and arts organizations in Windsor-Essex
Application Process
The next round of WEA’s Awards & Grants will be distributed in 2026.
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
February 1 – the online application portal opens
March 31 – at midnight, the online application portal closes
Mid-April – the jury panel adjudicates the grant applications
May 1 – successful grant applicants will be contacted by phone and/or email
Mid-May – 4 Arts Leadership Awards and 11 arts grants will be distributed at The WEAs Awards & Grants Celebration
Mid-November – Emerging Artist Grant recipients will be invited to share the progress of their projects to WEA members at our Annual General Meeting
Confidentiality
Personal information submitted by the applicants and discussions pertaining to the applicants’ submissions are held in strict confidentiality.