How can artists be nominated?
After carefully confirming the artist meets the eligibility criteria outlined below or in the nominations form, artists can be nominated by submitting the necessary information through the nominations form with the backing of a nominator or by self-nominating.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Must be of age of majority
Artist must be 19 years of age or older by March 2, 2024.
Must identify as an artist
221A defines an “Artist” as someone who has developed skills through training (not necessarily in an academic institution) or practice in any creative discipline, is recognized by Artists working in the same artistic practice, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their art. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Someone who works or is skilled in any of the fine arts, including but not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, literary, calligraphy, printmaking and mixed-media.
- Someone who creates imaginative works, including but not limited to literature, poetry, photography, music composition, choreography, architecture, video game designers, film and video.
- Someone who creates functional art, including but not limited to jewellery, rugs, decorative screens, lighting, furniture, pottery.
- A performer, including but not limited to, musicians, singers, dancers, actors, performance artists.
- Someone who practices culturally-specific forms of art or craft, including but not limited to Indigenous language, weaving, carving, knowledge transmission through storytelling.
- Someone who organizes cultural activities including cultural workers and curators.
- Someone involved in culturally significant practices, including culture bearer or practitioner, designer, technician, tattoo artist, hairdresser, chef/culinary artist, craftsperson, cultural workers dedicated to using their expertise within the community to support, promote, present, and/or teach and propagate their art form through events, activities, performance and classes.
Must identify as low-income
Artists must not have assets above $100,000, and may not exceed the following individual annual total income to qualify for the Fellowship:
| # of Dependents | Individual income |
|---|---|
| 0 | $58,000 |
| 1 | $82,025 |
| 2 | $100,477 |
| 3 | $115,998 |
| 4 | $129,692 |
| 5 | $142,069 |
| 6 | $153,451 |
Total individual annual total income must be below this threshold before tax in any one year (12 months) between January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. For more information on determining your gross incomes as a self-employed artist, review this resource from CARFAC or consult with a tax accountant.
We may request documentation and proof of income/assets to verify information submitted through this form including:
| Income Source | Acceptable Proof |
|---|---|
| Employment | 1. Notice of Assessment or Statement of Income from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); or 2. Three pay stubs reflecting gross average earnings; or 3. T4s or Income Tax Return; or 4. Record of employment/Letter from employer stating gross monthly/annual salary |
| Self-Employment | 1. Income Tax Return and T2125 Statement of Business or Professional Activities; or 2. Complete financial statements up to the current date. |
| Employment Insurance (EI) | 1. Letter from Service Canada stating weekly entitlement before taxes; or 2.Copy of detailed account statement from the Service Canada website; or 3. Employment Insurance cheque stubs |
| Pensions and Disability Income (excluding Income Assistance PWD) | Includes: OAS/GIS, CPP, Private Pensions, Foreign Pensions, Superannuation, RRIF, WCB, LTD and others. 1. Current Letter of Entitlement from all pension providers; or 2. Copy of pension cheque or cheque stub; or 3. Copy of bank statements showing pension deposit. |
| Income Assistance | 1. Income Assistance cheque stub; or 2. Ministry Release of Information stating support and shelter. |
| Taxable scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, and artists’ project grants | 1. T4A slip (less eligible expenses) 2. Statement or confirmation letter of funding authority |
| Asset Type | Acceptable Proof |
|---|---|
| Chequing/savings and TFSA accounts | 1. Three months current statements for all accounts; and 2. Account summary printout from financial institution showing all accounts. |
| Investments, i.e.: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, term deposits, GICs | 1. Most recent financial statement (can be monthly, quarterly or annual depending on the financial institution); and 2. Account summary printout from financial institution showing all accounts. |
| Equity in real estate | 1. Copy of most recent Property Tax Assessment showing assessed value; and 2. Statement of outstanding mortgage on the property. |
| Business equity | 1. Three months consecutive business and personal bank statements (all accounts); and 2. If Limited or Incorporated Company, Financial Statements or copy of CRA form T1178 General Index of Financial Information. |
| Personal items such as vehicles, jewelry, furniture | Not counted |
| Registered savings accounts i.e. RRSP, RESP, RDSP, RRIF | Not counted |
Must be located in the Lower Mainland
Must reside or be willing to relocate to the Lower Mainland for the duration of the Fellowship
Prioritized Groups
Artists identifying as belonging to one or more of these groups will be prioritized:
- Black people or people of African descent
- Deaf and hard of hearing people
- Disabled people or people who live with mental health challenges
- Low-income people
- LGBTQ2+ and gender diverse people
- Host nations Indigenous people (Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-waututh people)
- Indigenous peoples of Canada
- Indigenous peoples non-local
- Racialized people
- Refugees, newcomers, and undocumented people
- Seniors
- Women
Selection Criteria
- Have alignment with 221A’s organizing values
- Showcase artistic and cultural merit
- Have work whose subject matter touches on cultural/urban conditions, social history and equity/access
Artist nominations will be reviewed by a 100% BIPOC selection committee of 5–7 members including; 221A board members, Host Nations representation, former Fellows, and dominant cultural actors. They will be responsible for short-listing approximately eight (8) applicants and making a final selection of three (3) applicants.
Will 221A assist with my relocation to the Lower Mainland?
No, artists are expected to relocate through their own means or use a portion of the stipend towards relocating.
Can international artists be nominated? Will 221A support entry into Canada?
International artists may apply. As this is a non-residential studio placement, international artists must reside or relocate to the Lower Mainland for the duration of the Fellowship. Those entering Canada for the purpose of the 221A’s Fellowship will be expected to have in place appropriate entry visas, travel and health insurance.
Can collaborators, duos, or collectives be nominated for a Fellowship?
No, this program is open exclusively to individual artists.
When will the Fellowship take place?
The Fellowship is an 18-month placement that will take place from June 2024 to December 2025. Artists must be able to commit to the Fellowship for this duration.
Can we accommodate alternative start/end dates to the selected Fellows?
Due to the structure of the program we are only able to accept Fellows able to commit to the June 2024-December 2025 schedule. However, specific dates of project deliverables within this timeline are determined in collaboration with selected Fellows.
What is required from the artist?
Artists will be expected to actively participate with other Fellows, 221A staff and media, as well as generate cultural outputs including but not limited to:
- Developing Artist talks and public presentations including: book clubs, film screenings, workshops, siminars, podcasts, performances, installations or exhibitions
- Curating a library collection to add to the 221A Fellowship Library
- Developing a project for the duration of the Fellowship
What is provided as part of the 221A Fellowship program?
Artists will be provided a:
- 130 square foot private studio (non-residential) at newly upgraded facility, 825 Pacific including access to the Fellowship Library, coworking space, meeting rooms, ground floor Project Space, and shared amenities. The studio includes a table, chair and storage shelving.
- $72,000 CAD stipend (based on Living Wage standards)
- Additional budget managed by 221A may be accessed for materials throughout the duration of the Fellowship.
Is there a cost to participate in the Fellowship program?
We do not charge Fellows for participation and there is no fee to apply for the nominations process. Fellows receive a $72,000 CAD stipend for an 18-month (non-residential) studio placement.
What type of artistic practices are suitable at 825 Pacific?
The premises at 825 Pacific is intended to function as a non-market, shared multi-purpose arts and culture hub, with presentation, production (suitable for Artist Studio – Class A activities, which do not involve industrial processes or amplified sound), and office space for multiple artists and cultural practitioners who are Vancouver-based and/or community members of the Musqueam, Squamish or Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and Vancouver-based non-profit arts and culture organizational use.
What are the accessibility features of the studios?
The studios are approximately 130 sq ft with the following accessibility features:
- The front entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible
- The elevator is wheelchair accessible and centrally located
- Two accessible bathrooms are located on the ground floor
- Single stall, accessible, gender neutral bathrooms are located on floors 2-7
- Two double stall bathrooms with accessible showers are located on the basement floor
- Services animals are welcome in the building
- An emergency power supply on all power operated doors
- Areas of refuge on each floor
What happens if I am shortlisted?
If shortlisted, 221A will email you to inform you of the next steps. Due to the high volume of applicants, 221A will not be able to provide feedback on your application.
How can I request assistance in my nomination?
221A has limited resources available to help artists (in both English and French) who need considerable assistance to complete this form. If you require this assistance please email nominations@221a.ca and include:
- the subject line “Fellowship Access Request”
- as much detail as possible about the type of support you need
- the best way to contact you
We provide some assistance in French but require nominations to be completed in English. Please note, due to the volume of requests, it may take up to 1 week to receive a response from our team.