thespian86

I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about literary and performance arts grants federally and/or provincially in Canada? I'm officially a professional artist now (I've had a work publicly performed by a professional company) so I should be eligible.

Thanks in advance friends

Taylor

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Charlatan

Check with Baraka Guru

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fresnelly

The two major granting bodies are the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council

Ontario Arts Council

Toronto Arts Council

Organiztions like Theatre Ontario and Actors' Equity can also help point you in the right direction.

Theatre Ontario

EQUITYONLINE

I never had to write a grant so I can't offer you much advice but the next time you're having a beer with a Director or producer, pick their brains. They've all done it to survive at one point or another.

Good luck and let us know when you have stuff to see!

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Baraka_Guru

It depends on what you're doing. If you'd explain that a bit, I might be able to help. I know about the literary side of things. I'm not sure about performance arts. Though there might be some crossover with the organizations. (I know too much about film for that reason.)

What sort of project are you considering?

fresnelly has given you a good starting point.

aberkok should know about the process as a musician. He'd be a good source as well.

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

thespian86

I will say that I'm not completely in the dark; for the most part I know my business. So the websites are old news for me; appreciated none-the-less Fres.

Most, if not all, depend on whether or not you are considered a "professional artist" which is determined a few ways. I'm trying to develop my next play and I have an okay grasp on how to go about it but I figured you, or another, might have some quick tips. Here is the situation:

I'm in my early 20's. I've had three workshopped productions of a single play (a one act - which is hard to get funding for) and another two workshops and a professionally staged production of another. I'm not published but that's common. Since I've signed a contact with this NFP Theatre Company, I've essentially been paid for my art, which, according to Canada, means I'm a commissioned playwright. I also have professional acting, direction, and ASM credits. I'm an ACTRA and Equity apprentice.

As for my proposal. I'm asking for 3,000 plus a bit (jesus, the precision of these things) for the development of my next piece which is a Mamet-esque linear two act, with four players; it's the second of a three part Cycle (the first is being produced). It's based in small-town Canada so that should help.

It is however about the brutal rape and killing of a small girl in New Brunswick. It is also borderline sardonic and light (most of my plays deal in Brechtian theory; another re-occurring theme in my work is most of the action of the play itself takes place in the denouement which means it hardly touches on the girls death but rather the degrees in which life changes after said death) which makes it a target.

I'm over thinking but that is the low down.

Any tips on publishing too Baraka? I've had a few opinion pieces published in indie lit magazines/indie papers but no fiction or dramatic works.

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

Baraka_Guru

In terms of being a "professional artist," it's good to get as much as you can on your resume. The more Canadian content/works you get, the better, as the funding will typically go to whatever enriches our culture specifically. But it sounds like you're on your way to doing that; just keep that focus. It looks like you should be okay so long as you cross your Ts and dot your Is.

As far as publishing goes, have a look at the OAC's Writers' Reserve program. It basically puts the money into publishers' hands to dole out to writers they think have potential to produce something publishable. In your case, be sure to look at Talonbooks, based out in Vancouver. The publisher Karl Siegler rigourously publishes drama and does a good job of it. Other than that, be sure to submit your Writers' Reserve proposals to publishers that would actually consider publishing your work because that is the kind of stuff they value. Since you have a work already produced, that is the least Talonbooks looks for to consider you for publication, so I don't see how that couldn't help your Reserve proposal.

Have a look here too: The Association of Canadian Publishers - Writers' Grants

But, generally speaking, keep publishing works of all kinds in indie publication, literary magazines, journals, etc., it's this kind of track record the publishers look for...plus they'll get to know you by name because the publishing industry isn't that big across the country. It helps to get to know people by attending events and readings too. If you want to get published, you can't easily do it locked up in a cloister. Publishing is a communal thing. You are already geared toward this being in theatre; just remember the public/performance thing applies to fiction and poetry too. It's not just words on a page.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot