“Our mission is to disrupt, distort, and transform tradition, nurturing creativity and collaboration by providing the resources necessary to bring your boldest artistic visions to life.”
A paid learning and mentorship opportunity co-produced and co-facilitated by a consortium of DIY music and arts organizations in the Algonquin-Anishnaabe territory.
Our goal is to equip and support early- and mid-career individuals and artist collectives with the essentials of project development, providing DIY organizers with the resources and tools they need to create safe(r), more accessible, and more sustainable experiences.
WARP prioritizes projects that center events, exhibitions or other forms of artistic presentation programming.
Projects taking place between December 7, 2024 - June 7, 2025 are eligible for the WARP Honorarium.
Projects taking place between December 7, 2024 - June 7, 2025 are eligible for the WARP Honorarium.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Our accelerated programming features interactive small-group learning sessions, tailored one-on-one coaching, and access to an evolving toolkit with templates and best practices to assist you in effectively planning and overseeing your project.Specific topics explored during our three-day workshop series will include:
Application Window: Thursday, August 8, 2024 - Tuesday, September 17, 2024 (11:59PM EST)
Results Notification: Thursday, October 3, 2024
In-Person Programming Location: Digital Arts Resource Centre, Arts Court, Ottawa (details provided to selected applicants)
Mandatory Programming Dates:
Project Eligibility Period: December 7, 2024 - June 7, 2025
All mentees will receive a $100 per day honorarium for participating in mandatory in-person workshops.
PROGRAMMING AND PRODUCTION HONORARIUM DETAILS
The WARP paid mentorship program and honorarium is designed to empower early- and mid-career equity-deserving groups and individuals in the National Capital Region and Kitigan Zibi arts scene. Our aim is to strengthen community-driven public arts programming by offering financial support through encouraging arts-based economic development and fairly compensating artists.
To be eligible, you must:
We award each participant a $5000.00 honorarium to support their proposed project (categorized as events, exhibitions, or other types of public artistic presentations).
To be eligible, you must:
1. Be selected as a mentee for the program cohort.
2. Successfully complete the program by actively participating in all aspects of the mentorship program, such as attending all mandatory sessions.
3. Present your revised event proposal to our peer committee, comprised of mentors and program staff, showcasing your plans and how you have incorporated the knowledge and feedback gained from the program.
APPLICANTS
Emerging/early- and mid-career individuals and collectives with past project experiences based in the National Capital Region and Kitigan Zibi are welcome to apply.
WARP supports projects in one or more of the following disciplines:
The list above is sourced from the Canada Council for the Arts.
We recognize that not all forms of creative expression are represented and we do not want to discourage applicants. If you feel that your expression is not included in the options above, you are encouraged to submit an application anyway. Examples of underrepresented creative expressions may include: hair styling, tattooing and body art, or fashion.
Our goal is to diversify the arts sector by prioritizing community members underrepresented in artistic direction and production sectors.
We encourage applications from equity-serving groups such as:
Got questions regarding your eligibility or proposed project? Contact us at mentorship@debaser.ca
FIRST COHORT
RENEE DUMARESQUE & STEFANA FRTILLA
This workshop will guide mentees through key stages of project planning through a disability justice lens. Mentees will learn practical tools and strategies to transform their online and in-person projects to meet the unique needs of every project stakeholder (contractors, artists, attendees, etc)
Live Sound/Tech 101 will include the necessary information all event organizes must be equipped with while programming and throughout the day of the event:
- Performance preparation: setting up a PA system, running sound through mixers, speakers, monitors, and microphones)
- Troubleshooting during the soundcheck and during the event, as well as basics of communication between organizers, artists, and sound technicians present at the venue
- Tearing down the stage: how to properly wrap cables and group cables/equipment together while putting them away.
Through an examination on the intersections between harm reduction and safe(r) spaces, this workshop equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to create supportive, inclusive and responsive environments for their event teams, artists and attendees. Participants will learn to unlearn biases, recognize harmful language, identify and respond to overdose signs, and curate on-site tools. Additionally, the workshop covers understanding consent and sexual assault, incident recording and reporting, and creating a zero-tolerance environment with a robust event code of conduct.
LUNCH & LEARN
The Event Financials & Diverse Revenues workshop focuses on the financial planning and management necessary for successful event execution. This workshop aims to provide a solid foundation in financial management to ensure events are financially sustainable and profitable. Through a funding lens, mentees will learn about Debaser’s early days and how it has scaled into a unified organization.
The Event Operations and Management workshop is designed to provide emerging event organizers with the essentials to understand the logistical and operational aspects of community-centered event planning and execution. Mentees will learn about the ins and outs of independent arts presenter and non-profit organization, Debaser, and how to translate these strategies to their own respective projects.
The Partnerships and Outreach workshop delves into the strategies for building and maintaining effective partnerships and conducting outreach to solidify event visibility and engagement. This workshop prepares participants to build and leverage professional relationships, creating a solid foundation for forward-thinking events. Mentees will learn from The Moving Art Gallery on how to enlist and engage with community and corporate collaborators.
SHADOWING MENTOR
This shadowing opportunity provides mentees with practical experience in live event production. They will engage in hands-on training during a real event, working through all stages of production—from soundcheck to teardown. Mentees will have the chance to apply the skills they learned during the Live Tech 101 workshop in a real-world setting, gaining valuable insights into the full live production process.
MEET OUR
FOUNDERS
FOUNDERS
Since establishing in 2013, Debaser has become one of Ottawa’s leading independent and underground music and arts presenters, best known for its thoughtfully-curated, diverse programming, and care-oriented approach. Debaser exists to catalyze innovative and collaborative music and artistic projects; support underrepresented, equity-deserving, and outsider art and artists; and create inclusive and responsive community spaces that cultivate shared understanding, joy, and social impact.
The Framework is a polymathic agency that centers innovative storytelling through grant writing, publicity, and strategic partnerships. We specialize in collaborating with forward-thinking creatives at their project's conception or revitalization stage, providing bespoke services that propel their ideas onwards.
Produced By Youth is a mentorship program that offers accessible and safe spaces for Black artists under all disciplines in Ottawa to encourage self-expression, build confidence, foster community, and develop their artistic practice. Our vision is a free and accessible creative hub for Black artists to receive unlimited mentorship, access industry-standard equipment and training, and build connections.
Established in 2020, The Moving Art Gallery was formed out of the necessity of equitable representation in visual arts. The Nation’s Capital has a severe lack of young Black & Femme artists in art spaces; our mandate is to uplift those who experience life in that intersection. Following the overwhelming response from the community oriented programming that was curated to serve our targeted community, the M.A.G. has gained significant momentum that resulted in strong relationships with local organizations and established institutions alike. By prioritizing creativity, integrity and innovation, the M.A.G. is committed to building a lasting foundation for Black Femme artists to lay roots and thrive in.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WARP operates on the unsurrendered territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg (Odàwàng).
The purpose of this land acknowledgement is to show recognition of and respect to the first peoples and original custodians of the land on which we live and work. We wish to acknowledge our positions as guests here, and support the movement toward decolonization.