The Garden Project returns to get money to Hamilton’s IBPoC artists

An exciting Hamilton arts initiative is back for the second year in a row to help get money into the pockets of the city’s artists who are Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour (IBPoC) and working in performance disciplines.

The Garden Project, which was founded in 2020 by local theatre companies Porch Light Theatre and Industry, provides a small commission to Hamilton’s IBPoC artists working in disciplines like theatre, dance, music, or other forms of performance art.

Artists can apply to the initiative and, if selected by the jury, will receive $2,000 in seed money for their new project as well as support from a mentor or dramaturg as they work through their piece’s development process.

THE GARDEN PROJECT IS BACK FOR 2021

Are you an IBPOC performance maker living in the greater Hamilton area? Do you want to be paid $2000 to create new work alongside a mentor of your choice?

Applications due July 11th! For more info:https://t.co/d3eNypu2ei pic.twitter.com/oyzn8dyMaU

— Aaron Jan (@afatchineseboy) June 9, 2021

Last year’s Garden Project was largely supported by public fundraising, and the initiative is once again collecting donations from individuals who want to support the creation of some of Hamilton’s most exciting new performance art by underrepresented artists.

New this year is the generous support of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover, which has provided the funds to sponsor one of this year’s four commissioned artists.

“Lighthouse Theatre is grateful to Porch Light Theatre and Industry for supporting new works by IBPoC artists in Southern Ontario and we couldn’t be more pleased to support their efforts,” says Derek Ritschel, Artistic Director of Lighthouse Theatre.

“For many years Lighthouse has been developing plays for its stages on the north shore of Lake Erie and branching out to the artists in the Hamilton region makes all the sense in the world to us. We hope The Garden Project inspires and empowers new voices and new stories for us all.”

The Garden Project has a fundraising goal of $16,000, with over $9,000 already raised for the project thanks to Lighthouse Theatre’s support alongside private donations.

Hamilton-area IBPoC artists who wish to submit for The Garden Project can do so online up until July 11th, 2021.

Locals interested in donating to this vital initiative can do so here.

Lead image courtesy of @industryhamont

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