Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership Grant

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Deadlines

April 15, 2024

If the deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline becomes the next business day.

Type of Funding: Project Funding

The Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership Grant (AACL) supports the sharing of cultural skills and knowledge to young people through participatory cultural activity with First Nations or Métis arts and culture leaders.

If you require any accommodations or assistance during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 306-780-9284 or info@saskculture.ca. If you encounter any challenges or have any suggestions on how we can improve accessibility, please let us know.

Amount

The recommended request amount to this program is up to $15,000. This is the average range of funding that is allocated to successful applicants.

The absolute maximum request amount for activity is $30,000. Larger grant awards (above $15,000) are typically awarded to projects that present a significant opportunity to broadly impact numerous priorities and purposes of the AACL grant program. Additional considerations will be applied in reviewing submissions requesting between $15,000 and $30,000 that include:

  • The extent of commitment to the project including other self-generated income, in-kind support of staff and volunteers;
  • the extent that the project will be accessible to underserved communities;
  • the uniqueness of the activity; and
  • the potential for long-term impact.

Purpose

The AACL program aims to advance the course of culture in Saskatchewan by supporting:

  • the sharing of cultural skills and knowledge to young peoples through mentorship opportunities that promote the world views, cultural practices and activities of First Nations and Métis peoples in Saskatchewan;
  • the development of cultural organizations in their ability to deliver and sustain cultural programming with First Nations and Métis peoples and communities, as well as to respond to emerging needs and changing demographics of the province;
  • increased employment opportunities for First Nations and Métis arts and culture resource peoples who offer cultural programming unique to Saskatchewan;
  • cultural awareness, cultural activity, skill development, personal growth and positive lifestyles at the individual, group and community level; and
  • the building of capacity for communities and cultural organizations to assess community needs and to effectively plan and implement cultural programs for, and by, First Nations and Métis peoples.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • provide significant opportunities to meet the purpose of the AACL grant program;
  • deliver relevant cultural activities based on cultural impact, accessibility and service to communities;
  • contribute significantly to participation in intergenerational cultural activity;
  • support Indigenous peoples’ cultural revitalization and integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, oral histories, laws, protocols, and relationships to the land;
  • take constructive action on addressing the ongoing legacies of colonialism that have had destructive impacts on Indigenous peoples’ cultures and languages;
  • demonstrate strong partnerships and community support;
  • take place in the province’s northern and/or rural or otherwise underserved communities; and
  • are from communities and organizations new to the AACL grant program.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants are:

  • Registered Non-Profit organizations in Saskatchewan. These organizations must:
  • have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity;
  • be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year. If your organization has been incorporated for less than a year, please contact the SaskCulture consultant to discuss options.
  • be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC);
  • have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture; and
  • provide a copy of the organization’s signed annual financial statement that was most recently submitted to the Information Services Corporation (ISC) to show evidence of good standing as a non-profit organization in Saskatchewan.
    • Note: Organizations receiving Annual Global Funding are not eligible to apply.

Or

  • be a First Nation, Tribal Council, Métis Local, or Municipality. The applicant must:
    • be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program; and
    • have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture.

NOTE: Schools and post-secondary institutions are ineligible for this grant program. Interested schools should inquire about:

Before You Apply

  • Applicants must submit grant applications through SaskCulture's Online Grant Platform. If there are any questions regarding the AACL, please contact Shelley at (306) 780-9289 or sfayant@saskculture.ca.
  • Read the AACL Guidelines Spring 2024;
  • All applicants, especially new applicants, are strongly urged to discuss their request with the Consultant prior to submission, well in advance of the deadline; and
  • If the deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline becomes the next business day.

If you have any questions about SaskCulture programs and services, please contact the Outreach Consultant listed on this page.

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