The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is seeking applications from emerging and mid-career Brampton artists for this six-month program to learn the planning and facilitation of arts-based workshops.

Call Opens: July 15, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, August 3, 11:59 PM

Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply and participate

Artists will be paid $500 to participate in this program and to deliver one workshop during their placement.

In this hands-on, collaborative learning program, you will become part of a peer cohort developing their program planning and facilitation skills. You will receive support throughout the program to help you design and conduct your own arts-based workshop for the community.

This six month program will begin with a six week learning series, during which topics such as program design, administration, marketing, and facilitation will be covered. Following the classes, participants will be paired up into teams to design a workshop together. At the end of the program, participants will use their training to lead a workshop at PAMA (Peel Art Gallery Museums and Archives) or the City of Brampton’s Susan Fennell Youth Hub.

 

Program Dates

Monday, September 22 (In-Person): Introduction to Arts-Based Programming
Facilitator: Annie Katsura-Rollins

Monday, October 6 (Online): Lesson Planning and Program Development
Facilitator: Cameron Grant

Monday, October 27 (Online): Programming with an Accessible and Equitable Lens
Facilitators: Sean Lee and Justine Abigail Yu

Monday, November 10 (Online): Program Administration
Facilitator: BAO

Monday, November 24 (Online): Pitching Your Program
Facilitator: Pam Lau

Monday, December 8 (In-Person): How to Roll with It (Facilitating Workshops)
Facilitator: Jimish Thakar

December 9 to January 31 – Paired teams will plan and develop their workshop

February 2026 – Teams will present their workshop at a participating organization

 

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to all emerging to mid-career Brampton-based professional artists who are interested in designing and facilitating arts-based programs. No previous facilitation or programming experience is required. This is a non-discipline specific program and artists 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. Potential applicants from historically disadvantaged groups are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the program manager in advance of submitting an application.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant must have a City of Brampton residential address and must have lived in Brampton for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date of submitting the application.
• Demonstrated interest in designing and facilitating arts-based programs.
• Applicants must possess at least two years of demonstrated commitment to their practice.

 

Program Facilitators

Participants will be taught by a different guest facilitator each week.

 

Payment

Those selected for this program will be paid a one-time payment of up to a $500.00 Canadian dollars* (+HST if applicable. Disbursal of the funds will be outlined in the artist agreement.)

*The funding includes any necessary costs or materials, and no further compensation will be made to the artist for costs associated with the program.

 

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 to Amanda Foulds, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator at amanda@bramptonartsorg.ca.

 

Application Submission

Interested applicants are asked to complete the application form by Sunday, August 3, 2025 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 their application status by August 31, 2025. 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 arranged due to accessibility needs.

Call Opens: July 30, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Payment to Artist/Org: $4000 CAD (50% provided upon selection, 50% upon project completion)*

*payment includes any necessary costs or materials, and no further compensation will be made to the artist/s for costs associated with the activation.

 

Information Session – Thursday, August 7th at noon

The purpose of the information session is to review the requirements and application process with BAO staff. Have your questions answered and your proposal reviewed ahead of submitting your application.

Register Here

 

About Parkscapes

Parkscapes is a new seasonal community engaged arts activation running through summer and fall. Presented by the Brampton Arts Organization, it will transform Eastbourne Park for the next three years. Programming will be artist-led, community-centered, and theme-based, offering multiple points of engagement for local residents through inclusive, participatory community engaged art experiences. Parkscapes is made possible thanks to the support of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

For 2025 we are seeking Diwali themed proposals to activate Eastbourne Park between September and October 2025.

The proposal leader will create a program exploring light, community, and renewal, drawing on Diwali traditions as inspiration. Programming will end with a community celebration leading up to Diwali on October 20th. Example programming activations could include lantern-making, rangoli workshops or outdoor light-based installations and community projections.

 

Requirements

We are seeking proposals that include the following:

• Creation of a semi-permanent fence art installation with elements co-created with local artists and residents. See image of the fence below.

• Rich, interconnected programming with two or more separate, related events that tie into the theme including one final community celebration leading up to Diwali on October 20th.
• Programming that provides multiple points of participation for a wide audience.
• Specialization in one or more art forms (theatre, dance, music, poetry, visual arts, craft, literature, media arts, and more).

 

Proposed programming must be

• Free to participate in
• Open to the public
• Arts-based
• Participatory and interactive
• Accessible and inclusive
• Take place between September 1st and October 31st, 2025

 

Eligible expenses covered

• Payment to artist/s (required)
• Insurance (required)
• Materials, equipment, rentals and supplies

 

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to Brampton-based professional artists, not-for-profit arts organizations or artist collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis.

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 equity-seeking communities) that some flexibility may be required in interpreting eligibility criteria to take into account equivalent professional experience and contexts. Potential applicants from marginalized communities are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the program manager in advance of submitting an application.

 

Selection Process and Criteria

This call is open to

• South Asian arts leaders, artists, and artist teams who live in Brampton
• Brampton-based arts and non-arts organizations that work with South Asian artists

Artist teams must share the total payment. Organizations and collectives must be able to receive payment via cheque issued in the group’s name.

When evaluating applications the selection committee will use the following weighted criteria to select the highest-ranking applications.

Program Proposal (46%):

• Quality and creativity of the program proposal submitted
• Scope of program is feasible
• Budget is reflective of what is proposed
• Audience is identified and appropriate
• Program does not duplicate existing experiences
• Program provides valuable access to arts and culture opportunities for general public and/or Brampton creatives

Artistic experience (36%):

• Experience facilitating programs
• Demonstrated commitment to artists artistic discipline
• Active in artistic discipline

Community Engagement (18%):

• Demonstrated commitment to support the creative community in Brampton
• Understanding of the Bramalea neighbourhood and area around Eastbourne Park
• Work experience, personal outlook, and/or lived experience connected to the mission and core values of BAO

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

 

Selection Committee

The selection committee will consist of the following

• BAO staff members
• Local artists
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

 

Successful Proposal

The successful proposal leader will work with BAO staff to finalize details of their project, including signing an Artist Agreement, meeting insurance requirements, and completing event descriptions.

BAO will share information about activities through its newsletter, website, and social media.

The successful applicant is required to actively promote their programming by:

• Working with BAO staff to create and follow a promotion plan
• Sharing information through their networks and dedicated, social media posts
• Acknowledging BAO and TRCA support in all related marketing materials and at activities

 

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 to Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming, Brampton Arts Organization, katy@bramptonartsorg.ca.

 

Application Submission

Interested applicants are asked to complete the application form by Sunday, August 10, 2025 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 their proposal status by the end of August 2025. Communication about the status of your application will be through email.

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

The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) will host its fifth Brampton Winter Artist Market this November. The market provides a unique opportunities to Brampton-based artists and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work, grow their audience, and connect with other local artists and creatives.

Call Opens: August 5, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply

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

Call Opens: August 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply

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