recruiting artists BIPOC-LGBTQ

Help us to connect with BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and Regional Artists to work with schools in 2021-22 through ArtistsInspire Grants, an ELAN Quebec ArtEd project.

Deadline: May 31, 2021

ELAN’s ArtEd program connects professional Artists who identify as members of Quebec’s English-speaking communities from every discipline with English public schools to work on projects funded by our ArtistsInspire Grants and other sources. Our goal is to offer authentic arts and culture experiences aimed at developing young people’s creativity while fostering an  understanding of the diversity that exists within Quebec’s English-speaking communities. 

As part of our mission to offer a unique program that reflects the diversity of Quebec’s English speaking communities, this call for submissions is specifically geared to underrepresented groups (BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and Regional Artists). We recognize that Artists from underrepresented groups may have limited experience working in schools. If you are uncertain as to whether you have enough experience, please reach out and have a conversation with us. Our team has invested in professional development opportunities and is available to help you develop your workshops and prepare you for in-person and virtual facilitation.

Teaching Artists often express that facilitating workshops in schools inspires their own work and validates their passion for the discipline they have chosen. If you or someone you know is interested in developing students’ creativity through Artist-facilitated virtual or in-person Arts & Culture experiences, consider signing up for the ArtistsInspire Grants Program. The first step is to fill out this Eligibility Form. Contact Guillaume Jabbour, our ArtEd Coach, at artedcoach@quebec-elan.org for more information.

Here is what some of our artists had to say:

It has been an absolute delight working with ArtistsInspire. I was especially impressed with how proactive and supportive the ArtistsInspire team has been during this time of covid. The ArtEd team has provided much needed support for us artists. ArtistsInspire provided sensitive and accessible training with feedback, job opportunities, networking and inclusion strategies for artists of all kinds. They have actively sought to bring us together and help artists to re-skill for this new normal. ArtistsInspire is a top notch organisation with up-to-date equitable practices advocating for artist’s rights. I am proud to be working with them.

Anna Jane McIntyre, Visual Artist

Working with the ArtistInspire Grants program has been an incredibly rewarding and positive experience. The program has provided new opportunities for under-represented groups and organizations to share our content, our history, talents and experiences with schools and students. The ELAN ArtEd team has been extremely supportive to artists and they excel at their objective of combining arts and education.

Kayin Queeley and the Montreal Steppers, Dance

We have invested a lot of time and research in supporting Artists by providing:

  • Professional development opportunities in facilitation skills for virtual and in-person workshop
  • Coaching to design workshops that are aligned with your discipline and practice
  • Matchmaking services with schools

We strive to make the process as easy as possible for Artists and schools to benefit from the $1500 grants. Check out our FAQ for Artists section on our website for more info.

Let’s work together to bring quality arts experiences to our children, youth and communities whether on-line or in-person! For more information and inspiration see:

To see what is possible with ArtistsInspire, watch ‘Stay Connected’, Emily Read and the Grade 6 students of Carlyle Elementary School’s project in which they came up with 97 ways to stay connected.

Project facilitation and video: Emily Read