Assistance to Practitioners, Critics and Curators of Architecture
The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to equity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from diverse Aboriginal, cultural and regional communities, including people with disabilities.
Deadline
1 March
If either of these dates falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Please refer to the Program Guidelines for detailed information.
Program Description
This program provides grants to architecture professionals and architectural firms to help support special projects that promote contemporary Canadian works of architecture to a broad and diverse public.
The purpose of this program is to promote:
- a better understanding of the role of architecture in helping to shape a rich physical, social and cultural environment in Canada
- an appreciation of the artistic values of contemporary Canadian architecture.
This program provides funding to practitioners, critics and curators of architecture, as well as to architectural firms, to produce content for a public presentation of architecture, including built and (or) critical works or design research of architecture, landscape architecture or the urban environment.
Projects must lead to the production of a book, exhibition, film or video, television program, radio program, multimedia program, series of articles or lectures, or other public event.
This program also provides funding to professional competition advisors to enable them to develop material that is related to an architectural competition.
Eligibility of Applicants
To apply to this program as an individual, you must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You do not need to be living in Canada to apply.
To apply as an architectural firm, your firm must be at least 75 percent Canadian-owned and have its head office and executive in Canada.
You must also meet the Canada Council’s definition of a professional artist, defined as someone who:
- has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
- is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
- is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, if possible financially
- has a history of presenting work publicly or being published.
To meet the above definition as an architecture professional (practitioner, critic or curator of architecture, architectural firm or competition advisor), you must also:
- have produced a professional body of work
- have maintained a professional practice for at least three years after you completed your specialized training
- specialize in architecture, landscape architecture and (or) urban design.
Restrictions
If your architectural firm submits an application to this program, associates of your firm may not apply to the same competition as individuals.
Eligibility of Projects
The proposed public presentation must consist of at least 50 percent contemporary Canadian works of architecture. For this program, this means built works as well as works of critical or design research on architecture, landscape architecture or the urban environment completed after 1945. It includes buildings, landscapes and places.
Projects are expected to be part of a collaborative arrangement between the applicant and a professional production and (or) distribution organization. Before you submit your application, you must have a confirmed agreement with a professional organization for the production and (or) distribution of a book, exhibition, film or video, television program, radio program, multimedia program, series of articles or lectures, or other public event.
Major projects
For major projects spread over several years, such as a book or major exhibition, different architecture professionals may submit separate applications to carry out separate parts of the same project. An individual applicant may receive a maximum of two consecutive grants to carry out distinct phases of the same major project.
You must apply separately and for each phase. Each grant application must support a clearly defined and distinct segment or phase of the project with a separate budget. You cannot include the same expenses in multiple applications.
There is no guarantee that all applications related to a single project or consecutive applications will be successful.
Ineligible projects
The following projects are not eligible for support under this program:
- the design and (or) construction of works of architecture
graphic or industrial design projects or visual art installations
- the pursuit of advanced studies
- student projects or the teaching of architecture
- the production of portfolios, specialized technical publications, or any other material that is not intended for public dissemination by a professional organization.
Restrictions
You may submit an application to the Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture, the Ronald J. Thom Award, and the Assistance to Practitioners, Critics and Curators of Architecture program in the same year.
Applications to the Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture will be assessed first, followed by those for the Ronald J. Thom Award, and finally the Assistance to Practitioners, Critics and Curators of Architecture. If you are successful in any of the competitions listed above, your application will be withdrawn from subsequent competitions.
Grant Amount
Amount available
The maximum grant amount that you can receive from this program is $20,000.
Grants are not intended to cover all the costs associated with approved projects. Also, you may not be awarded the full amount that you request.
These grants cannot be used for projects that have already been completed or for expenses that occur before the program deadline.
The Canada Council may fund projects that are funded by other public or private organiztions, but not for the same expenses.
Eligible expenses
Eligible costs include (if they apply to your project):
- professional fees
- the commissioning of photographs, models, videos, films and texts about
contemporary Canadian buildings, landscapes, places, or design and (or) critical research
- studies, analysis and documentation relating to a competition
- transportation costs directly related to the project
Ineligible expenses
- capital expenses and equipment purchases.
Further Information
Brigitte Desrochers
Program Officer
Visual Arts Section
Canada Council for the Arts
350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa ON K1P 5V8
1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 5270
TTY: 1-866-585-5559
June 2012