About the Grant

In February 2023, the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC)  launched the Ocean Literacy Community Grants program. Identified as a priority action in the Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy, this grant program provides more accessible funding opportunities for community-driven ocean literacy initiatives that are regionally, culturally, and linguistically relevant.

The Blue Creators Grant, one of three grant types currently offered by COLC, provides a unique opportunity where art meets science, helping to transform the way we think about and engage with the ocean. We invite creators to harness the power of artistic approaches to help bridge the knowledge - action gap.

Through the Blue Creators Grant, we empower creators to use their art form as a community-driven, participatory tool to spark crucial ocean conversations, deepening public understanding of ocean science, building emotional connections, and igniting possibilities and pathways for community-led ocean-climate action.

This grant empowers creators of all sorts to employ their skills in a wide range of projects, including but not limited to:

• Visual arts projects (e.g., interactive multimedia installations)
• Performance arts (e.g., musical performances, circus performances, dance)
• Digital multimedia content creation (e.g., documentary film, animations)
  • Projects that create 1. interactive, participatory, dynamic installations that 2. evoke conversation, understanding, connection, building ocean-climate action connections/behaviours
  • In which the creation (be it an installation, performance, or other) is used or mobilized in such a way to create an interactive, participatory experience with a target audience or broader public, with the aim of helping to strengthen ocean-climate understanding, building emotional connections, and inspiring pathways for community engagement/action.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Blue Creators Grant, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Applicant must be 16 years of age or older.
2. Applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and currently living somewhere in Canada.
3. Applicant must demonstrate interest in, experience of, and/or a commitment to science communication through their creative work.
4. Applicant must submit a completed application, including a 1-2 minute video.

How to Apply

1. The call for funding applications will open November 1, 2023 and will close December 15, 2023. The creative project being proposed must happen anytime between February 1 and August 31, 2024.
2. There is a total of $21,000 in funds for this grant call. We are looking to fund either 4 projects at $5,250 each or 3 projects at $7K each. There is a space on your grant application to select which amount you are applying for (i.e., $5,250 or $7,000). 
3. The online application form will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Be sure to complete all fields.

Partially complete applications will not be considered. Successful applications will be notified by Friday December 22, 2023 on the status of their application. Funds will be transferred by February, 2024.

Should you have any questions while completing the application, please contact Meg Callon, Communications & Design Lead at COLC (meghan@colcoalition.ca).

Good luck with your application!

Portfolio / work sample

Please share a link to your website, portfolio, or a sample of your work. You may also upload a .pdf using the space below.

Application amount

There is a total of $21,000 in funds for this grant call. We are looking to fund either 4 projects at $5,250 each or 3 projects at $7K each.

Video Submission

Share a 1-2 minute video 

In this video, please include the following information:

• State your project title
• Briefly describe your proposed creation. How does it fit within the scope of the Blue Creators Grant? What is the primary goal of your creation?
• Briefly describe how your creation aligns with the goals and mission of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition to empower people in Canada to better understand, value, and care for the ocean.
• Briefly describe the unique aspects of your creation and how it brings a fresh perspective to the ocean science-art intersection. What specific content will you create or develop?
• Describe your target audience. What is the potential reach? How will people interact with your creation?
• Briefly describe the impact that you anticipate your creation will have on the target audience and the broader community in terms of increasing ocean awareness and understanding. Have you identified how you will measure that impact? 
• Briefly outline how the grant funds will be utilized.
• Please make note if, in the making of, and public sharing of your creation, you have considered any accessibility needs (if applicable). (eg. sign language interpretation, wheelchair accessibility, closed captions, text to speech)
• Please state anything else that we should be aware of