Welcome to SEARA’s POWER SHARE Application Form!
SEARA is proud to support BIPOC Artists with the launch of POWER SHARE: a
COVID-19 Relief Fund for Black, Indigenous & Racialized Artists. This fund emerged
in response to the financial precarities caused by the pandemic as well as ongoing barriers of systemic racism and inadequate funding models across the B.C. arts sector, that BIPOC Artists continue to face. Many arts organizations across the sector have made public statements of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter and Land Back movements, with commitments to diversifying their leadership and practices. Over the past few months, the SEARA Team has continued to galvanize the arts sector to support racial justice and equity by inviting them to share their power with BIPOC Artists facing systemic racism through donating to the POWER SHARE Fund.
To date, we have raised over $270K across 104 organizations, the general public, and government entities!
Do you live outside of a large urban centre? Apply!
Have you had trouble getting grants from traditional granting structures? Apply!
Have you experienced or are experiencing systemic racism from within an arts institution that employs you? Apply!
BIPOC Artists— Now is the time to apply and get #OURSHARE!
Before submitting an application, be sure to expand and read each section below for the entire process, and ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Eligibility:
- Applicants must identify as Black, Indigenous or Racialized; this includes applicants of mixed race heritage.
- Applicants must be a working Artist of any discipline.
- Must be a resident in what is colonially known as British Columbia.
SEARA defines “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 tradition, 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—various practices that fall under the umbrella of the following disciplines: Craft, Visual Arts, Writing, Theatre, Dance, Music, Media Arts, and Film & TV.
We especially encourage non-traditional applicants who have been alienated from the B.C. arts sector by intersectional systemic barriers such as geography, disability, professional criteria, etc. to apply.
How To Apply:
SEARA has designed the POWER SHARE online application to be as low barrier as possible. In the form linked below, you will be asked to answer a series of multiple-choice and free response questions, as well as given the opportunity to attach optional supplementary materials. Applicants who are unable to submit an online application, do not have access to a Google Account, and/or otherwise require further assistance can:
– Designate a third-party applicant to apply on their behalf;
-Apply by telephone to SEARA staff at (778)-725-6302, Monday-Friday between 10:00am-5:00pm;
-Request to submit an application via snail mail.
Supporting accessibility, disabled Artists and/or Artists living with mental illness is a priority and long-term commitment for SEARA. If there are circumstances that fall outside our application process or further barriers you are experiencing in submitting an application, give us a call or send us an email at info@searafund.ca, and we will be sure to accommodate your needs as best we can.
How Applications Will Be Assessed:
All applications submitted will be reviewed and evaluated by a peer assessment committee that will be known as the POWER SHARE Fund Jury, comprised of SEARA staff and a small group of emerging and established B.C. cultural workers, leaders and Artists. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the week of March 8, 2021 once the assessment period is completed.
We will prioritize BIPOC Artists who identify high-priority needs listed on the application.
All assessment decisions including the amount awarded to successful applicants, will be final. Individual grants will range between a minimum or $1000 to upward of $2500.
How Funds Will Be Disbursed:
The disbursement of funds will be administered between March 9-22, 2021. Recipients of the fund will be notified by SEARA and immediately be required to provide a valid mailing address in order to receive a cheque for the amount granted by the POWER SHARE Jury.
It is the responsibility of recipients to report funds received from POWER SHARE as income when filing taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Applications Are Now Closed.