Part 1: Application process (eligibility, timelines, selection process, etc.)  

1. How do I apply to the ArtWorksTO Indigenous Program? Is there an application form? 

Please review our eligibility criteria. If you have additional questions, contact Program Lead Kennedy Salloum at kennedy@torontoarts.org. 

Once you’re confident you are eligible and a good fit for the program, complete the online application form located on the Indigenous Program Page (LINK). The form asks a few questions about your eligibility, media arts experience, and creative portfolio. 

2. Is the ArtWorksTO Indigenous Program right for me? 

This program is designed specifically for Indigenous Youth (18–35 years) with experience (self-taught, community-trained, or formal training) as a media artist. This includes fields such as videography, graphic design, digital illustration, photographers, social media communications, UX design, and related practices.  

In addition to career development, the program offers culturally rooted programming and mentorship with Indigenous industry leaders. Participants will gain creative and professional skills while being supported in ways that honour Indigenous knowledge, teachings, and community values. 

It is also a good fit for young Indigenous artists who have career aspirations in the creative industries as media-based artists or creative entrepreneurs. 

3. Are people outside of Toronto able to apply? 

At this time, participants must be residents of the GTA to be eligible.  We recognize that many Indigenous artists live outside city limits but remain closely connected through work, study, or community ties. Applicants with a strong connection to Toronto may still be considered. 

4. I don’t have any Indigenous Identification paperwork or card; can I still apply? 

You can still apply if you don’t have any Indigenous identification paperwork or cards. We ask that you share your ties to your community and/or lived experiences as an Indigenous artist.  

5. What is the selection process? 

A decision committee of staff and media creatives (including Indigenous staff members) will interview shortlisted applicants in person in a conversation-style format to get to know you, explore your fit with the program, and answer any questions you may have. Interviews will take place in December 2025. Final candidates will have one-on-one interviews with program lead Kennedy Salloum to share more about their work experience and backgrounds. Following this, the decision committee will gather to select the participants for the 2026 cohort.  

Applicants will be selected based on: 

• Eligibility – applicants must be Indigenous youth (18–35 years) media artists 

• Career aspirations (Is this program well suited to your career goals?) 

• Portfolio (Reviewed for creative exploration, technical skills, expression of ideas, context, motivation, written skills, passion) 

• Artistic discipline representation among the 2026 cohort 

• Skills fit with available contracts 

• Need (Will this program make an impact on the applicant’s career goals?) 

• Availability (Will the applicant have time to complete all major aspects of the program for about 6–7 months if not longer? Please note: the program has online and in-person components and is accommodating to the participant’s schedule.) 

6. What is a Request for Proposals (RFP) and why is it being used to match participants to paid contracts? 

A Request for Proposal, or RFP, is a document that a client (i.e. business, non-profit, or government agency) creates to outline the requirements for their specific project. The RFP seeks bid proposals from qualified media creatives. Bid proposals are reviewed to select a media creative to complete the client’s project.

 

Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are widely used in the media arts industry. ArtWorksTO offers training to program participants on the RFP bidding process and how to write successful bidding proposals. This training is designed to support participation in the ArtWorksTO RFP bidding process, but also to develop skills that could be applied when seeking other paid project contracts.

Equity concerns have been identified related to the entire RFP process. ArtWorksTO aims to address these concerns through: 

• Matching all selected program participants with a paid project contract through the RFP bidding process. 

• Shortlisting program applicants so that there is a reasonable chance of being awarded a paid project contract through the RFP bidding process. 

• Ensuring the content of all bidding proposals remains confidential and the intellectual property of the applicant. 

• Providing free training for selected and shortlisted participants on the RFP bidding process and writing effective bidding proposals to build industry standard skills. 

• Working with a diverse panel of ArtWorksTO alumni, advisory members, and project partners to review proposals and award contracts. 

7. What should I include in my portfolio? 

Short bio: (300 words maximum) What’s your story?

 

Your creative portfolio is a collection of work that represents your creative and technical experiences and accomplishments and is a visual representation of who you are. You need to demonstrate that you are a visual communicator and that you are well-equipped to succeed in the ArtWorksTO program. This can include experimentation in both traditional and digital media or any combination.  

Your portfolio should include:  

• Artist statement: (300 words maximum) Your artist statement should explain your specific interests and passions as well as who or what inspires and influences the work you make. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself as an artist and provide context so we can better understand your work. 

• Examples of your creative process: Include examples/PDF/images/drafts of your sketchbook, process, and concept development skills as part of your portfolio submission. The process examples you provide should be connected some of the finished pieces included in your portfolio. These can range from: 

• a storyboard 

• creative journal 

• concept/idea book  

• digital document. 

• experimentation 

• photos of development 

• drawings 

• mark-making 

• writing 

• research and inspirations
  

• Finished work: Include up to 5 examples of your original, finalized work that demonstrates creativity, technical skills, range, and expression of ideas. 

• Descriptions: For each finished piece, include in 50 words or less, the process/making method/media/concept and purpose of each submission. Please include the details of the collaborators and clients you worked with if applicable. 

• Works can be presented in a series – we recommend limiting it to 3-5 works for a series. 

• Works can be video – we recommend a highlight reel (1-2 mins), understanding that reviewers may skim through longer videos.  

• Include links to your professional website and/or social media pages.   

• To see an example of a creative portfolio that we would like to see submitted, please reach out to kennedy@torontoarts.org.  

Part 2: ArtWorksTO Program Content (OCADU course, paid contracts, mentorship, etc.)  

1. What is the OCAD University course being offered through the Indigenous Program? 

The course being offered through this program is Intro to Design Thinking. This course will prepare participants for Industry collaborating while maintaining their own ways of being and working.  

2. Is there a cost to ArtWorksTO participants to take this OCAD University course? 

There is no cost for participants accepted into the Indigenous ArtWorksTO program for Intro to Design Thinking Course. Participants will be provided with a payment of $150 per course to cover any costs to facilitate learning (software, child care, etc.). 

ArtWorksTO will also provide a free subscription to Adobe Creative Suite for 6 months.  

3. How long will the course take to complete? 

The course will run from January 19 to March 1.  

4. What do the paid projects involve? How much do participants get paid? 

Paid project contracts will involve completing communications projects (such as short promo videos, posters, flyers, and digital social media campaigns, etc.) for programs and services offered by our project partners, including the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Foundation and ImagineNATIVE. This work will include completing a contract with 3 major deadlines and deliverables, meeting with clients (either in-person or online), preparing concepts, completing work and providing revisions. Please note, participants of the program must be available to work in their project contracts during the Summer months (June – August.) On occasions, participants of the program may need to be available during ‘office hours’ 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to meet their clients or work on the projects. 

ArtWorksTO participants will be awarded a project contract valued at approximately $5,000 per participant.  The contract amount should include all associated costs with completing the projects, including equipment rental, transportation, artists’ fees, etc. 

5. Are contracts inclusive of HST? 

Yes, contracts are inclusive of HST, as well as other costs associated with completing the project. 

6. What does the mentorship entail? 

Each participant will be paired with a mentor who has extensive experience in their respective media industries. The mentor will provide 10 hours of their time to help guide their matched participants through the program. Each participant will work with their mentor to determine how and when they use their 10 hours.  

7. What workshops are included in the program? 

The program is offering two workshops in collaboration with ImagineNATIVE and Aaniin. The program lead will determine the needs of the participants and organize the workshops to cover requested or required topics.  

8. What are general program timelines? 

January 8, 2026, early evening: Welcome Event/Orientation  

TBD: RFP Bidding Workshop  

January 19, 2026: OCADU Intro to Design Thinking Course begins 

March 18, 2026: Project Contract Work Begins 

October 5, 2026: Graduation Ceremony 

Who can apply to be an ArtWorksTO project host? 

For the Indigenous cohort, we are prioritizing organizations and companies that are Indigenous-led. This is so our Indigenous youth can see themselves in leadership positions and work in an environment that is rooted in Indigenous culture. However, if your organization doesn’t meet these requirements but you still feel like your project is well suited to this program, please apply! 

2) Why host an ArtWorksTO Indigenous stream contract? 

Hosting an ArtWorksTO Indigenous Stream participant is a unique opportunity to build reciprocal relationships with emerging Indigenous creatives while contributing to meaningful systems change. By offering a paid, culturally safe, and values-aligned placement, you support the next generation of Indigenous media artists to thrive in the creative industries and benefit from their unique storytelling, lived experiences, and artistic practices. 

This partnership invites you to be part of an Indigenous-led approach to workforce development that centres self-determination, cultural knowledge, and mentorship. The work created may help you engage broader and more diverse audiences, while deepening your organization’s commitment to reconciliation and equity in the arts. 

3) What is the ArtWorksTO 2025 project budget? 

ArtWorksTO will be distributing $5,000 to Indigenous youth (18–35) participants through contracts to create media-based communications materials for participating project partners. 

4) If I complete a project submission form, is my project guaranteed? 

No. If the total value of projects submitted is more than our funding limit of $100,000, projects will be reviewed for their fit with the program and the ArtWorksTO participant’s’ media skills and interests. 

If your organization submits multiple projects, please let the ArtWorksTO Program Manager know the order of priority. Organizations will be notified of the status of their project submission by January 2026 for final review and approval. 

5) What is the proposal review process? 

ArtWorksTO participants will be invited to submit various bids to a Request for Proposals (RFP) master document developed with the information provided by potential contract hosts (through the project submission form). ArtWorksTO’s youth participants will bid to RFPs that they feel they can successfully fulfill based on their vision, skill, and interests. 

These bids will be assessed by a group of ArtWorksTO staff, alumni, and advisors working in the media arts industries to help match participants with the opportunities. Contract hosts will be provided with the recommended bids for final review and approval. 

6) What are the costs to participating contract hosts? 

Contract costs are covered by the ArtWorksTO program, but contract hosts are asked to provide in-kind staff support to manage the project, facilitate meetings, and provide feedback and approvals. 

The subsidy currently amounts to $5,000 per contract, and the contract terms and deliverables are intended to reflect actual industry- standard rates associated with entry-level creative sector services, exclusive of budgets and expenses. 

To help ensure program sustainability and support program growth, ArtWorksTO would appreciate top-up and/or matching funds in support of our participants: budget support to offset equipment rentals, crew and staff wages, location permits, and so on are recurring expenses for videography and photography-based projects, for example. Please note: Work exceeding the $5,000 budget will be covered by the host organization, unless otherwise specified in the project contract. 

7) Can changes be made to my project requests, i.e. deliverables/timeline/etc.? 

Because you are contracting ArtWorksTO participants, any changes must be negotiated, approved by the Program Manager, and the contract must be amended (fees may apply, particularly for changes to deliverables). The program can provide accelerated support for negotiating changes. 

Please note: A change request of the initial creative concept counts as 1 project revision (there are 3 revisions in total per project). Creative Concept changes are discouraged from happening during the mid-to-end phase of the project. 

8) Where can I see examples of work created through ArtWorksTO? 

Samples of previous projects completed by ArtWorksTO participants and alumni can be found here. 

9) How was ArtWorksTO developed? 

ArtWorksTO was developed out of the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy (TYES). 

TYES was produced with creative contributions from youth artists in the form of photos, stories, poems, songs, and short videos. The creative content provided an opportunity for youth voices to be front and centre in the report, and to provide an authentic context to the issues addressed in the report. 

 The ArtWorksTO Indigenous Program builds on the success of this model and was co-designed with Indigenous artists and community leaders. It provides an opportunity for Indigenous media artists to engage in paid contracts with ArtWorksTO partner organizations while benefiting from culturally grounded programming and mentorship. 

10) Who can I contact at ArtWorksTO for support with my project? 

For support with developing your project submission or for any questions, contact Kennedy Salloum, Indigenous Cohort Program Manager, at kennedy@torontoarts.org.