Recipients of City of Kingston Arts Fund Adapt Grant announced

The Kingston Arts Council (KAC) has announced the recipients of the City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF) Adapt Grant, a COVID-19 responsive funding program that supports projects that address pandemic-related challenges through new ways of working. $100,000 was available through the 2021 Adapt Grant.

In 2021, Kingston City Council allocated $200,000 in one-time funding to support individual artists and non-profit arts organizations in recognition of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release from KAC and the City of Kingston. Two new grants were established to administer this funding: Adapt Grants and Resiliency Grants. This is in addition to the annual City of Kingston Arts Fund Operating and Project Grants.

Adapt Grants fund projects that include creating, presenting, or adapting artistic work, building partnerships, and creating innovative solutions for community needs. Individual artists, artist collectives or ad-hoc groups, and non-profit arts organizations were eligible to apply, including recipients of other CKAF grants. Applicants who received Operating, Project, or Resiliency CKAF grants had to demonstrate their Adapt proposal was separate and distinct from activities funded by other City grants, according to the release.

Applications were evaluated and grants were awarded by a jury of artists and arts professionals including Megan Hamilton, Mike Sheppard, and Alexandra Simpson. Grants are a minimum of $4,000 and a maximum of $10,000.

Twenty-two applications were received with a requested total of $189,457. A total of 15 grants were awarded, to a total of $100,000.

The 2021 Adapt Grant recipients are as follows:

2022 Community Radio Week, $4,250
A project by KPP Concerts

Community Radio Week is an opportunity for local musicians to gain valuable exposure to industry experts and decision-makers, and will be an opportunity to shine a light on the Kingston scene and create connections between artists, industry and new fans.

2022 Summer Musical, $5,625
A project by Blue Canoe Productions

2022 Summer Musical teaches youth new skills that they may use in future artistic endeavours through a mentorship program to foster support. This project will reconnect the young artistic community in Kingston after a long hiatus, and encourage them to express themselves and practice their crafts.

“a work in progress”, $6,160
A project by Inner Harbour Collective

“a work in progress” is a series of three dance films, a photographic display and an accompanying soundscape. A number of dance masterclasses will be created with the aim of engaging more youth in Kingston to explore dance, specifically ballet. 

A return to nature, $7,410
A project by Tracy Olan

In this project, feltmaking converges with a documentary film that follows the artist from sheep farm to public gallery wall, through the design, creation and then installation of a large scale wool mural in a public space. This proposed dose of interactive nature, a large scale wool wall mural, addresses the necessity to return to what we know and need, nature.

Back to Life, $4,980
A project by Calliope Collective

Back to Life plans to explore ways people can safely co-create, despite being distanced, how to regulate nervous systems to create space for creative alignment and increased communication, and explore interaction in a meaningful way by learning from each other and examining the healing Nature provided.

Both Sides Now: Live Performance in the Post-Pandemic World, $6,160
A project by Michelle Kasaboski

This project addresses the need for engaging, professional live music to be accessible regardless of in-person restrictions, and aims to make virtual access equally valuable, as the need and want for live digital content continues to increase.

Finding Our Purpose, $8,500
A project by H’art Centre

Finding Our Purpose will enable H’artists who have been missing the theatre to safely create a story and dance while reconnecting with local community artists, and will help them re-engage with the community after long months of restrictions.

From One Place to Another: Wandering Art, $8,530
A project by Union Gallery

From One Place to Another aims to support local artists, nurture creativity, enhance access to contemporary art through a vehicle alternative to existing gallery spaces and public artworks, and foster collaboration.

Kingston WritersFest Podcast, $5,600
A project by Kingston WritersFest

This project is designed to be an easy to access, affordable and safe way of sharing literary content and bridging the gap between those with challenges to accessibility – whether mobility, health, time, or finance-related – and artists to ensure more of the community feels engaged, connected and informed.

Live at The Grad Club, $8,000
A project by The Grad Club

Live at The Grad Club is a series of free high-quality digital recordings comprised of both performance and interview footage to showcase the unique talents of a diverse range of local artists. This project aims to serve both artists and the Kingston community by sharing artistic work in an engaging format.

Micro-Residency Studios in Solitude at Agnes, $6,800
A project by Agnes Etherington Art Centre

Studios in Solitude is a local micro-residency program probing solitude’s dual potential as a disruptive force and historic privilege. This project matches underutilized programming spaces at Agnes with local artists whose practices have been affected by the pandemic and seeks to provide financial and in-kind support for newly emerging and ongoing projects.

Ode to Joy, $6,395
A project by Kingston Symphony Association

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy) will be performed at the Isabel in May 2022, and live-streamed in Market Square as well as in retirement homes, correctional institutions, and classrooms, free of charge. This project aims to provide a safe and accessible way for everyone to enjoy the music including those who may not have the financial means or physical ability to attend a concert.

Shallow Dives, $8,000
A project by Modern Fuel

Ten Kingston artists will be paid to show and discuss their work at free in-person artist talks and workshops at various Kingston establishments. Shallow Dives provides artists with the opportunity to showcase their work, collaborate, engage in community outreach and develop new audiences.

Unfinished Business: A Kingston Swirl, $6,395
A project by Harry Symons

A Kingston Swirls will be a series of workshops held around Kingston to improve artists’ digital literacy and enhance their capabilities in using AR/VR as an art form.  This project will help artists develop and maintain their digital skills, which are crucial in the context of the pandemic.

Young Artist Mentorship Program, $7,195
A project by Glocca Morra Studio

For emerging artists from 15-19 years old, this project offers studio space alongside two professional artists, and the creation of a plan focused on professional development for artists. This mentorship focuses on giving youth opportunities to make the leap to establishing themselves as professional artists and following a career in the arts. 

To learn more about the City of Kingston Arts Fund visit the Kingston Arts Council website.