Open Calls for Creatives at Brampton Arts Organization (BAO)

Open Calls

Discover Brampton Arts Organization’s current and upcoming artist calls, submissions, and funding opportunities for Brampton’s vibrant creative community. Stay up to date with our calls for projects, programs, exhibitions, markets and creative initiatives designed to develop and support creatives and arts & culture organizations across the city.

Current Calls for Artists

Presented by the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), Brampton Library (BL), and the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD), the Brampton Writer in Residence Program provides funding of $3,000 and free, dedicated workspace to professional adult fiction writers to undertake an eight week residency at the Brampton Library, Gore Meadows branch from February 24 to April 25 2025.

The program requires that the successful applicant provide approximately 10 hours per week to developing and delivering three engaging programs and/or workshops and regular one-on-one appointments for the general public to review their written work. The remaining time is available for the successful writer to work on their own project.

Extended Application Deadline: Sunday, January 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Information Session: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This information session will take place online via Zoom.

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to all Brampton based professional artists. Employees of BAO and BL are not eligible to apply.

The Ontario Arts Council defines a professional artist or arts professional as someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by artists working in the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work and actively practices their art.

We recognize that due to systemic barriers within the broader arts community that some flexibility may be required in interpreting eligibility criteria to take into account equivalent professional experience and contexts. Potential applicants from equity-seeking communities (those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of those identities) are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the program manager in advance of submitting an application.

Qualification Criteria:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Preference will be given to writers based in the City of Brampton.
    • Consideration will be given to writers with a connection to Brampton and Peel Region.
  • Minimum of three published works of adult and/or young adult fiction (novels, short stories, etc.).
  • Active in the writing profession.
  • Active social media presence with the ability to share content created for this residency.
  • Experience teaching creative writing.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the needs of aspiring writers.
  • Some experience successfully developing and delivering programs, workshops, and readings.
  • Working on or planning to work on a new project intended for publication.

Applications must include:

  • Curriculum vitae or résumé, including teaching experience and a list of publications and completed projects.
  • A workshop title and short description for one workshop on the business of writing.
  • A workshop title and short description for one workshop on the craft of writing.

Residency Requirements and Responsibilities

  • Available to complete the eight week residency from February 24 to April 25, 2025.
  • Can work 10 hours per week (flexible hybrid work schedule) for a total of 80 hours.
  • Develop and deliver three (3) programs along with support materials as detailed below:
    • A program focused on the business side of writing (e.g. how to get published). Option to be held online.
    • A program focused on the craft of writing (e.g. how to create characters). Option to be held online.
    • An in-person workshop set to take place on April 25, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to finish the Residency for a general audience.
  • Review written work in advance of one-on-one meetings with the general public.
  • Deliver one-on-one meetings with general public participants to review and provide feedback on their submitted written submissions (in-person with the option to deliver some meetings by phone).
  • Other activities supporting program goals as agreed upon.

NOTE: As part of the residency, there will be one scheduled orientation meeting between the successful applicant, BAO and Brampton Library staff prior to the eight-week program period, and an exit interview at the end of the residency. These meetings will be a part of the total 80 hours of the residency.

 

Location of Residency

The Residency will take place at the Brampton Library, Gore Meadows Branch, located at 10150 The Gore Road, Brampton, ON, L6P 0A6.

The workspace provided for this Residency is approximately 9×9 feet in dimension. The successful applicant will have access to a desk and will be able to store materials and supplies in the room. While there is no public access to the room, on occasion branch staff may need access to the room for meetings. The room has one floor to ceiling window facing out into the library.

Accessibility: There is an accessible entrance to the branch and accessible washrooms. There is no hands free access to the workspace.

 

Application and Selection Process

A writer will be chosen based on artistic merit, impact, and viability as expressed in the application form and submitted support materials. Applications from Brampton writers will be prioritized although writers from Peel Region and the GTA are invited to apply.

Priority will be given to applicants from equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of those identities.

Proposals and presentations cannot be disrespectful or anti- other culture, political or religious views, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, language, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation. Proposals or presentations should be void of any political or religious views.

Rules and Requirements:

  • Successful applicants will receive and sign an Artist Agreement. The Agreement will detail the terms and conditions of the funding. The Agreement must be signed and sent to BAO and BL staff prior to the start of the project.
  • Funding for this residency may only be used for the purposes outlined in the application. The residency must be completed within dates specified above.
  • Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Check for any programming directly engaging participants from vulnerable sectors and, in some cases, for other programming.
  • Submission of a Social Insurance Number will be required. The successful applicant will receive a T4A for the funding amount.
  • The successful applicant will be required to obtain Commercial General Liability insurance for all public programming, with an inclusive limit of not less than $5 million (CAD) per occurrence. The policy should name BAO and Brampton Library employees as additional insured with a copy forwarded in advance of the project activities onsite. Higher inclusive limit may be required for certain projects. Please ensure you include CGL in your budget.
  • The successful applicant is required to acknowledge the support of BAO and Brampton Library (BL) in all written materials related to the residency. The BAO and BL logos will be provided. In lieu of the logo, the recipient may use the phrase “produced or created with the support of the Brampton Arts Organization, Brampton Library, and the Festival of Literary Diversity.”
  • In addition to the general conditions mentioned above of funding, BAO and BL reserve the right to place other conditions on the release of the funding (such as confirmation of programming, other sources of funding, etc.). Any specific conditions will be contained in the Artist Agreement.

Applicant Interviews:

BAO and Brampton Library may shortlist up to three of the highest-ranked applicants based on the total cumulative score achieved and conduct interviews with them prior to selecting the Brampton Writer in Residence.

Selection Committee:

BAO Staff
Brampton Library Staff
FOLD Staff
Established Writer/s

 

Selection Criteria & Rubric

When evaluating applications for the Brampton Writer in Residence program, the selection committee will use the following weighted criteria to select the highest-ranked applicants to interview.

  1. Curriculum Vitae (33.33%):
    • Meets the qualifications of the Residency.
    • CV includes teaching experience, a list of publications and completed projects, and links to website and social media presence.
    • Minimum of three (3) published works.
  2. Program Proposals (25%):
    • Two (2) potential workshop proposals submitted as part of the application package including:
      • A program focused on the business side of writing (e.g. how to get published). Option to be held online.
      • A program focused on the craft of writing (e.g. how to create characters). Option to be held online.
    • Quality and creativity of the programs proposed.
  3. Professional Experience (16.67%):
    • Experience in creative writing for adults or young adults.
    • Demonstrated understanding of the needs of aspiring writers.
    • Active in the writing profession.
  4. Community Engagement (16.67%):
    • A demonstrated commitment to supporting the writing community.
  5. New Project (8.33%):
    • Working on or planning to work on a new project intended for publication.

 

Payment

The successful applicant for this program will be paid a one-time payment of $3,000.00.*

*The payment is expected to cover any necessary costs or materials, and no further compensation will be made to the writer for costs associated with the program.

 

Application Submission

Applicants are asked to complete the submission form before Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Apply Now

 

Submission Accessibility Support or Questions

Applicants who require additional resources, assistance or time to apply are asked to request this assistance at least one week in advance of the submission deadline.

To do so, or for additional information, please contact Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming at katy@bramptonartsorg.ca

Call for Youth and Adult Artists, Makers, Craftspeople and Creative Vendors

Call Opens: January 16, 2025
Application Deadline: February 2, 2025
Fees: FREE – zero cost to vendors to apply or to participate
Market Date: July 19, 2025
Market Schedule:  10:00 am — 4:00 pm
Venue:  Rose Theatre Lobby (1 Theatre Ln, Brampton)

Table Size: 6ft folding table and 2 chairs provided to each vendor
Available Tables: 20-26 for adult vendors and 4 for youth vendors

The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is hosting its fifth Brampton Artist Market this summer at the Rose Theatre on July 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This market provides a unique opportunity for creative professionals in Brampton to showcase and sell their work, grow their audience, and connect with other local artists and creatives.

Returning to BAO’s Brampton Summer Artist Market is the Youth Annex for its second year. We are seeking to showcase the work of four young Brampton creatives under the age of 18. If you are a young creative aged 18 and under, with an entrepreneurial spirit who is interested in selling their work, this is a great opportunity to participate in a well-established artist market. See the youth vendor FAQ at the end of this call for more information about the Youth Annex.

We welcome applications from vendors across disciplines, themes, and interests, including arts organizations and non-profits. PLEASE NOTE: Beauty, bath, wellness, and food products will not be accepted.

 

Important Dates:

January 16 — Call to vendors opens
February 2 — Call to vendors closes
March 7 — Vendors notified of acceptance
March 21 — Vendors confirm acceptance
June and July — Public marketing campaign of market and vendors
July 19 — Market day (vendors must arrive by 9:00 a.m. for set up)

Important Details:

  • It is mandatory that all vendors (adult and youth) accepted to the market be on-site and ready to sell from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • The Brampton Summer Artist Market will be following Peel Public Health guidelines related to COVID-19 and vendors will be required to adhere to safety measures.
  • Manufactured (mass-produced) items are prohibited.
  • If work copies, reproduces, imitates or otherwise infringes on someone else’s copyrighted material, it will not be considered.

 

Selection Criteria:

This call will prioritize original artworks and handmade goods, editioned works, and artwork and ephemera related to your practice and work, over mass-produced and machine manufactured items. Co-applications (two vendors per one table) are welcome as well as applications from collectives. Arts and culture organizations and not-for-profits are also encouraged to apply and are not required to sell works.

Additionally, the selection committee will review applications for:

  • Quality of work
  • Originality
  • Vendors relationship and connection to Brampton and Peel Region
  • Overall suitability for the market

Priority will be given to applicants who belong to equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIAP (2SLGBTQIAP is an abbreviation used to represent a broad array of identities such as, but not limited to, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, gender and sexual minorities), Deaf, Disabled and intersections of those identities.

 

Selection Committee:

  • Craft Ontario Representative
  • Local Artist
  • Local Artist
  • Brampton Arts Organization Staff

 

Application Accessibility Support:

Applicants who require additional resources, assistance or time to apply are welcome to request as such. Please request this assistance at least one week in advance of the submission deadline. To do so, or for any additional information please contact info@bramptonartsorg.ca.

Application Submission

Applicants are asked to complete the submission form before Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Apply Now

 

Youth Vendor Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

Youth Vendors must be:
– Brampton Residents
– Under 18 years of age
– Have existing products and the means to create more

What does BAO provide?

BAO will provide:
– One 6ft table and two chairs
– Marketing support to promote your booth at our Brampton Summer Artist Market
– Professional development support with your booth through online training prior to the market date

What do I need to bring?
In addition to your creative products, you must bring your own tablecloth, table displays, and cash/card payment system as desired.

Does an adult parent/guardian need to join me at my table?
Yes, parents/guardian attendance is required as BAO will not be providing child supervision. Having an adult sell or manage your booth throughout the day is helpful too.

Can I apply with a sibling or friend?
Yes, you are welcome to share a table with up to two additional youth artists as long as they are also youths (aged 18 or younger) and living in Brampton. When applying, select one lead youth artist to complete the form with their parent/guardian and list the names of the other youth artists who will be joining you.

Do I need to bring my own cash box, float, or credit/debit sales machine?
Yes, all Brampton Summer Artist Market vendors, including youth vendors, are required to bring their own float, cash, or point of sale system. BAO is unable to provide cash, change, or process card payments of any kind. If planning to bring cash, it’s a good idea to price your artworks in even amounts to help manage your float and be sure to bring lots of change in small denominations ($1, $2, $5, $10).

For any additional information please contact info@bramptonartsorg.ca.

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