“Our mission is to disrupt, distort, and transform the Canadian arts sector.”
WARP is 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.
ELIGIBILITY
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.
Click here for full program information and eligibility.
WARP supports projects in one or more of the following disciplines:Click here for full program information and eligibility.
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:
HONORARIUM
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 for the honorarium, 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 for the honorarium, 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.
Click here for more information on mentee eligibility criteria.
COHORT #1
This included hybrid programming, a shadowing opportunity, and personalized one-on-one coaching sessions. We concluded the cohort with the presentation of their refined project proposals and the awarding of their $5,000+ honoraria.
Guided by mentors René Dumaresque and Stefana Fratila (CRIP RAVE), Naledi Sunstrum (musician and educator), and Willow Cioppa (playwright and educator), mentees participated in Interactive Workshops covering Accessibility Planning, Live Sound 101, Harm Reduction, Safe(r) Spaces, and Bystander Intervention Training.
The Lunch & Learn series, led by Rachel Weldon (Debaser), Katie Manners (Debaser), and Sandra Ngenge Dusabe (Debaser, The Moving Art Gallery). This three-part series focused on Event Planning Fundamentals, covering topics such as Event Financials, Operations and Management, Partnerships, and Outreach. Mentees also received access to detailed toolkits with templates and resources to support all stages of event planning.
Additionally, Nick Schofield (SAW Centre) led a hands-on Live Tech Production Shadowing Session, where mentees applied their skills in a real-world production setting, gaining valuable insights from soundcheck to teardown.
Mentees’ final projects will be presented throughout Spring and Summer 2025.
COHORT #2
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.
Click here for full program information and eligibility.
Specific topics explored during our three-day workshop series will include:
Cohort #2 Application Window: Monday, December 16, 2024 - Thursday, January 16, 2025 (11:59PM EST) APPLY NOW
Results Notification: Wednesday, February 5, 2024
In-Person Programming Location: Digital Arts Resource Centre, Arts Court, Ottawa (details provided to selected applicants)
Mandatory Programming Dates:
Project Eligibility Period: April 7, 2025 - October 7, 2025
All mentees will receive a $100 per day honorarium for participating in mandatory in-person workshops.
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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.