Film and Media Arts Sector Grant Program for Individuals (Canada)

The Shevchenko Foundation is a national, chartered philanthropic institution dedicated to the preservation, promotion and development of Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage, and to the advancement of a flourishing Ukrainian community for the enrichment of Canada. The Foundation respects the past, celebrates the present and promotes the future of the Ukrainian community in Canada with inclusiveness, integrity, sustainability, spirit, excellence, creativity and innovation as its core values.

Priorities

• The Shevchenko Foundation’s grant-giving stewardship extends priority to projects and programs that:
  • Contribute to enriching the Canadian experience with the beauty, passion, and diversity of Ukrainian Canadian culture;
  • Contribute to strengthening the Ukrainian community in Canada;
  • Share Ukrainian Canadian cultural contributions with a broad and diverse public on a community, regional or national level;
  • Exhibit financial capability to undertake and sustain the project and/or program within the boundaries of a business plan, either as an organization or an individual;
  • Employ new technologies and partnership models on how Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage is created, produced, disseminated, and preserved.

Funding Information

• The Shevchenko Foundation funds up to 50% of total project or program costs of successful applications contingent upon budget resources for the given grant deadline.
• Grants to individuals will cover costs and expenses associated with the project, but will not cover expenses for general living allowances.

Eligible Projects 

• The Film and Media Sector of the Arts Program funds:
  • Film project writing and development costs for adaptations or translations of existing published works.
  • Creation of “pitch” package of pre-visualization images or filmed sequences, and other marketing materials for original works and for adaptations or translations of existing published works.
  • Production and post-production costs.
  • Travel and subsistence expenses directly relevant to realizing the project.
  • Dissemination (launches, industry-related festivals, cultural cinema settings, digital marketing costs).
  • Professional development (travel and fees for training, workshops, mentorships, or master classes).
  • Not eligible through this Program are:
    • Projects created toward fulfilling requirements for a degree or diploma
    • Projects that benefit an organization, rather than an individual
    • Research and original script-writing development

Who is eligible?                   

• Individuals:
  • Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.
  • Must be supported by letters of reference from peers or others familiar with the applicant’s body of work, experience in the field, and ability to undertake and deliver the project.
• No new application will be accepted if a Final Report has not been submitted from a previous grant.
• Applications for projects that are phased over more than one year will be accepted. Funding will be granted in phases, subject to meeting annual reporting requirements.
• If the project is a collaboration with other writers or artists from other disciplines, select one artist to apply on behalf of the project. This lead applicant will take responsibility for all reporting. Applicants must have final creative and editorial control over the proposed work. Proposals for biographic treatments of artists, historical figures, or individuals must demonstrate an approach that is distinctive, and conceived for engagement of broad audiences.

Assessment Criteria

• The Shevchenko Foundation’s assessment for grant-giving is guided by integrity, sustainability, excellence, innovation, and inclusiveness of all Canadians who support the mandate of the Shevchenko Foundation. When assessing applications, the Foundation uses the following questions.
  • Are the goals for the project well-articulated?
  • Are the skills of those undertaking the project to completion well-articulated?
  • Are the goals for the project within the scope and mission of the Shevchenko Foundation?
  • How does the project advance the relevancy of Ukrainian cultural heritage to the enrichment of Canada?
  • How well does the project demonstrate an understanding of present-day industry standards of excellence and public engagement in corresponding to the appropriate pillar of Arts, Heritage, Community Development, or Education?
  • What is the value-added contribution of this project that distinguishes it beyond existing Ukrainian cultural heritage content and similar activities?
  • Is there a sound marketing and distribution plan that articulates accommodating changing demographics, changing patterns of consumption, changing forms of dissemination?
  • Are the indicators for success of the project within the organizational and human resources capacity of the applicant?
  • How convincing is the financial viability of the project?
  • How will the project still be viable if it does not receive the projected revenues in grant support and public support?
  • Is there evidence of sound fiscal management, a track record of fiscal responsibility, and sound budgeting?
  • How realistic are budget revenue projections? Are cost estimates well researched?
  • If applicable, are ticket sales and fundraising targets within the scope of past performance and similar market realities?
  • If applicable, what is the demonstrated value of funding a project application if it does not generate earned revenue from ticket sales or other earned revenue streams?

For more information, visit Shevchenko Foundation.