GASP!

gabriola artists support program

application intake based on available funds

applications are now closed

GASP! background

If you are a working or emerging artist on Gabriola or Mudge Island, you can apply for funding through the Gabriola Arts Council’s Gabriola Artists Support Program (GASP!).

In celebration of our twentieth anniversary in 2017, the Gabriola Arts Council (GAC) created a fund to support local artists in their pursuit of creative, educational, or community-based projects. The fund was seeded by contributions from the President’s Legacy Fund (created from donations made in honour of Kathy Ramsey’s contribution to arts and culture on Gabriola) and a donation from Tammy Hudgeon.

In 2021 a motion was put forward by then Treasurer, Dirk Huysman to allocate 20% of membership fees to the GASP and the Board voted unanimously in favour, a decision which will ensure an ongoing source of revenue for the fund.

program priorities

This fund was inspired by GAC’s Mission: to engage, enhance, and inspire the community’s cultural vitality through collaboration, leadership, and service. The specific priorities are:

  • to enable Gabriola artists of all ages and at all levels to access professional development and other training opportunities.
  • to support Gabriola artists in the development of specific arts projects.
  • to ensure public access to and engagement with arts and culture on Gabriola Island.
  • to increase public awareness of and engagement with the arts

general eligibility

Grants are awarded to assist local artists and arts-based groups or collaborations to promote their art or further their education. These are creation and professional development funds—applications from commercial enterprises or for assistance with producing events are not eligible.

Gabriola-based artists at all levels — including students and emerging artists — in visual, literary, media, or performing arts (theatre, music, dance) may apply for funds from the GASP.

You must be a member of GAC to apply for a GASP Grant. This does not apply to applicants under the age of 18.

You must be a full-time resident of Gabriola, Mudge, or Decourcy Island (Area B).

Grants are awarded to assist local artists and arts-based groups or collaborations to promote their art or further their education. These are creation and professional development funds—applications from commercial enterprises or for assistance with producing events are not eligible.

reporting

A final report must be submitted within two months after the end of the project, indicating that the project was completed, and including a report on the use of funds.

Grants to Individual Artists
—Professional Development

This component is to provide financial support to an individual artist and/or arts administrator in support of specific training, education, learning, or professional development activities that will advance their practice or career. Grants may cover a variety of purposes, including but not exclusive to:
  • registration or tuition fees for a relevant workshop, course, symposium, conference, education opportunity, etc., on or off Gabriola.
  • travel and/or accommodation expenses for a relevant workshop, course, symposium, conference, education opportunity, etc.

Grants To Individual Artists
—Project Development

The goal of this component is to provide financial support to an individual artist in support of a specific artistic and/or cultural pursuit or project. Grants may cover a variety of purposes, including but not exclusive to:

  • development and/or creation of a new and specific artistic work, project, performance, or exhibit (e.g. a new composition, development of a series of paintings or sculptures for a specific exhibit, etc.), including materials, tools, equipment, reference material, etc.
  • travel to a performance, exhibit, or other opportunity on or off Gabriola in support of the development of a specific artistic project.
  • applications may be made by individuals or a collaboration of two or more artists who share creative control of a project. In the case of a collaboration, only one artist can be the primary contact although we want to know the names of all of the artists involved. All artists involved in the collaboration must meet the requirements of the GASP (i.e. be a GAC member and live on Gabriola or in Area B).

Grants to Emerging Artists
—Scholarships & Learning Opportunities.

The goal of the GASP Scholarship & Learning Support Program is to encourage the development of Gabriola’s future professional artists by assisting with pre-professional training for outstanding students of the arts in all disciplines. This program is open to children and youth. Funds will be awarded each year to a Gabriola resident/s pursuing:

  • full- or part-time post-secondary arts education in a fine-arts diploma or degree program at a recognized college, university, institution, or academy, in any country.
    formal arts- or culture-related training and education.
  • a non-degree arts-related program at a university, college, or registered education or arts institution.
  • extra-curricular and/or community-based arts training programs.

general notes and priorities of the GASP! grants

  1. The maximum amount of funding provided to any single project is $1,000.
  2. You must be a member of the Gabriola Arts Council to apply for these funds.
  3. Application for funding does not mean that funds will be provided. The grant fund is limited and we expect that the demand will exceed available funds. In some cases, applicants may receive less than what was requested.
  4. Grants may not be given in each category with every award period. Decisions will be based on the quality of the applications and available funds.
  5. An artist may not receive a GASP grant two years in a row.
  6. You must be a member of the Gabriola Arts Council to apply for these funds.
  7. Application for funding does not mean that funds will be provided. The grant fund is limited and we expect that the demand will exceed available funds. In some cases, applicants may receive less than what was requested.
  8. Grants may not be given in each category with every award period. Decisions will be based on the quality of the applications and available funds.
  9. An artist may not receive a GASP grant two years in a row.

Priority may be given to proposals that include some or all of the following components:

  • Projects that demonstrate long-term benefits to the artist.
  • Projects that demonstrate short- and/or long-term community benefits.
  • A budget with diverse revenue sources and a clear description of the projected use of funds.

application process

Applicants are encouraged to apply using the online application form. Downloadable PDF and hard copy forms are also available. All applications must include a budget showing projected revenue and expenses. A budget template will be provided.

All applications will be reviewed and considered by a three-person Advisory Committee consisting of one GAC Board Director, one GAC staff person, and one GAC member-at-large. The GASP Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the GAC Board, who will make the final funding decisions.

The decision of the GAC Board will be final. There is no appeal procedure.

sorry, applications are now closed.

other support

GAC is not able to provide funding or financial support for all eligible and worthy projects. However, we are able to provide support in other ways including:

support

Through our newsletter, on our website, and through our social media channels.

loan of equipment or supplies

Through our newsletter, on our website, and through our social media channels.

letters of support

For other funders or donors.

advice

On alternate sources of funding.

Looking for grant-writing advice?

Here are some useful tips.

this program is made possible by:

membership dues