The Brampton Arts Organization and Work in Culture FREE seven month mentorship program for Brampton artist entrepreneurs, creative businesses, and arts, culture & heritage organizations is back!

Call Opens: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply and participate

What you’ll get:

• Curated match with an experienced arts mentor based on your specific business challenges and goals
• Up to 6 hours of one-on-one mentorship time
• Peer learning sessions with fellow creatives
• Tailored online workshops focused on local resources
• Support to advance your creative career and build confidence

This is your chance to get focused, personalized support to solve that strategic challenge that’s been holding you back and expand your creative network in Brampton.

Only 10 spots are available – don’t wait!

Learn more and apply here.

Call Opens: August 26, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 14th at 11:59 PM
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply or participate
Honorarium: Selected participants will receive $200
Venue:  BAO (8 Nelson St W, Unit 301, Brampton) and 401 Richmond (401 Richmond St W, Studio 111, Toronto)
Program Dates: September 26 and all day on October 17 and 18, 2025.

 

The Brampton Creative Leaders Summit is a new, curated professional development program designed to empower Brampton-based arts & culture leaders, arts champions and cultural changemakers. This pilot program has been developed in collaboration between Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) and Work in Culture (WIC).

Centered around a two day in-person learning summit, the program supports participants in developing adaptive leadership and strategic skills while fostering community, collaboration and innovation in arts and culture.

The selected participants will take part in expert-led workshops, keynote talks, and peer-to-peer learning. Additional pre- and post-summit activities will deepen learning and build lasting networks. Participants will leave the program with actionable tools, a deeper understanding of their roles, and a network of like-minded individuals to support their growth and projects.

 

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is for Brampton-based individuals in any artistic discipline (visual art, musicians, performers, authors, craft artists, sculptors, multidisciplinary artists, media artists, filmmakers, etc.) and at any career level (e.g. emerging/early career, mid-career, senior-level) who are passionate about contributing to a sustainable and vibrant arts and culture sector in Brampton, such as:

• Art & culture administrators, arts managers, and leaders in the cultural sector.
• Emerging creative leaders and those with an interest in arts management.
• Artists seeking to deepen their understanding of leadership and community engagement.

 

Key Program Dates

Selected participants are expected to attend and actively engage in all program dates/sessions.

You will also be encouraged to spend time before, during and after the program to review additional resources (such as readings and podcasts) curated by BAO and WIC to support your learning.

• Friday, September 26th from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm – Cohort Meet and Greet Session at BAO
• Friday, October 17th from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm – Summit Day One at 401 Richmond
  • Keynote from Zainub Verjee, Executive Director of Ontario Association of Art Galleries
  • Afternoon session led by Monumental, a social purpose business working to advance equitable city-building and urban development
• Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Summit Day Two at 401 Richmond
  • Full details TBC
• Wednesday, November 12th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Post-Summit Debrief online
• Wednesday, December 10th – Participants acknowledgement at BAO Town Hall
  • Full details TBC

 

How will the program be delivered?

The program will be delivered primarily in-person, with one virtual check-in session.

The in-person Meet and Greet Session will be held at the Brampton Arts Organizations office located at 8 Nelson St W in Downtown Brampton.

The two-day Brampton Creative Leaders Summit will be held at 401 Richmond in Studio 111 at 401 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8.

The Post-Summit Debrief Session will be held virtually over Zoom. The participants acknowledgement will be held at the BAO office.

 

What are the benefits of participating?

By the end of the Brampton Creative Leaders Summit, you will have gained:

• Enhanced leadership skills to help navigate the evolving arts and culture landscape
• Practical tools to develop and sustain the arts and culture sector in Brampton
• Strategies to engage and impact your networks and audiences
• A valuable network of peers and mentors in the Brampton arts and culture community

 

Are there any costs to participate?

There are no costs to participate in this program. Refreshments and meals will be provided during the two-day summit. A $200.00 honorarium will be given to the selected participants to help cover the cost of participating in the summit.

 

Is there travel required?

Yes. Travel to BAO’s office in Downtown Brampton and to 401 Richmond in downtown Toronto is mandatory.

 

How will participants be selected?

The ten selected participants will be chosen from a shortlist of all applicants. Selection of participants will be based on applicants learning goals, professional and artistic experience, and potential for impact as well as potential for peer-to-peer learning and continued network building post-program.

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

 

Additional Information and Accessibility Support

If you have any questions about this call for expression of interest or require any assistance, accommodations or additional support in completing this application, please reach out at least one week prior to the application deadline to Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming, Brampton Arts Organization at katy@bramptonartsorg.ca.

 

Application Submission

Interested applicants are asked to complete the application form before Sunday, September 14th at 11:59 PM.

Please note that only applications submitted through the formal submission process will be accepted, unless otherwise previously arranged due to accessibility needs.

Apply Here

 

Notification

Applicants will be notified of the results by Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Communication about the status of your submission will be through email.

Please note that only applications submitted through the formal submission process will be accepted, unless otherwise previously arranged due to accessibility needs.

 

Call Opens: September 2, 2025
Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 or until fund is depleted
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply

Funding Amount: up to $400.00
Application Review Process: Monthly intake and review

 

The Brampton Arts Organization’s (BAO) professional development fund supports activities that will grow and advance applicants’ careers and professional practices. These kinds of development activities could include participating in a presentation or exhibition, undertaking specialized training, performing research, attending conferences and more.

 

Eligible Activities

You may apply for one or more of the following activities:

• Market and network development
• Participation in a presentation or exhibition opportunity
• Mentorship
• Internship
• Specialized training or coaching
• Workshops
• Research activities related to professional development
• Participation in conferences, residencies, seminars, or other significant events
• Accessibility training or integration of access practices
• Portfolio or demo reel development
• Membership fees in professional associations such as ACTRA, WIFT, etc.

 

Ineligible Activities

• Equipment purchases
• Commercial or residential rent
• Personal living expenses (e.g., groceries, childcare, personal debts)
• Activities that have already taken place before funding approval

 

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to emerging, mid-career, and established Brampton-based professional artists and arts administrators. This is a non-discipline specific program and creatives from all disciplines are encouraged 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 (e.g. limited mainstream presentation opportunities for artists from historically disadvantaged groups such as Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, 2SLGBTQIAP, and newcomer and refugee artists) that some flexibility may be required in interpreting eligibility criteria to take into account equivalent professional experience and contexts.

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

Eligibility Criteria:

• Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
• Applicants must have a residential address within the City of Brampton and must have been located in Brampton for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date of application.

 

Additional Information and Accessibility Support

If you have any questions about this call or require any assistance, accommodations or additional support in completing this application, please reach out at least one week prior to the application deadline to Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming, Brampton Arts Organization at katy@bramptonartsorg.ca.

 

Application Submission

Interested applicants are asked to complete the application form before Sunday, November 30th, 2025, or until funds are depleted.

Please note that only applications submitted through the formal submission process will be accepted, unless otherwise previously arranged due to accessibility needs.

Apply Here

 

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status within two calendar months of submission. Communication about the status of your application will be through email.

Please note that only applications submitted through the formal application process will be accepted, unless otherwise previously arranged due to accessibility needs.

Call Opens: September 16, 2025
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply

Check back later for the details, requirements and application form.