“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
Each day kicked off with our Lunch & Learn series, alternating between Debaser‘s Rachel Weldon, Katie Manners, and Sandra Ngenge Dusabe (also founder of The Moving Art Gallery), focused on Project Planning Fundamentals, covering topics such as event financials, which was focused on project planning fundamentals covering topics such as budgeting, logistics and operations, strategic partnerships, and community outreach.
Guided by mentors René Dumaresque and Stefana Fratila (CRIP RAVE), Naledi Sunstrum (musician and educator), and Willow Cioppa (playwright and educator), mentees participated in various Interactive Workshops covering accessibility justice, audio tech for event planners, and harm reduction and bystander intervention training.
Mentees were also given the option to participate in a unique Shadowing Opportunity for live tech production led by Nick Schofield (SAW Centre). This was a hands-on experience where they applied their skills in a real-world production setting, gaining valuable insights from soundcheck to teardown.
We concluded the Cohort with a presentation of their refined project proposals and awarding of their $5,000 honoraria.
Mentees can further their learning by receiving two complimentary 1-on-1 Project Planning Coaching sessions from Kingsley Swim (Program Manager) and Maeve Tavakoli (Program Coordinator). Furthermore, Mentees will have lifetime access to an online toolkit with templates and resources to support all stages of equity-centered project planning.
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)
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.
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.
We are incredibly grateful to our supporters for providing warm and welcoming spaces and generously sharing their resources with us.
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.