** APPLICATION DEADLINE: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we have temporarily suspended our granting programs and submission deadlines until further notice. Until we re-open our submissions, we encourage all interested applicants to access our available online programs and support services. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment caused and look forward to supporting you as soon as we can.
JumpstART Program grant is DARC’s longest-standing granting incentive program, providing artists from other disciplines the opportunity to make their first significant video and or media art work. Granted artists will be provided the conceptual and technical support necessary to complete their works. Successful applicants will receive:
Two grants are awarded annually to artists (as defined by the arts councils) who want to create a first video and or media art project. Artists must successfully complete within 12 months of acceptance. Proposed projects must be under 30 minutes in length.
DARC supports independent, artistic work where the applying artist initiates and is the driving force behind the proposed project. The applicant must retain complete creative and editorial control over the work. (All grants are for video projects but can also include projects originating on film and transferred to video.) Priority is given to projects that are innovative in content, point of view, form, style, technique or process and that further the applicant’s development as an artist. Please note: Applicants may be students but may not be making student or training projects. Please see below for a list of project types that are eligible and ineligible for production funds at DARC.
Applicants may submit only one application to each individual DARC grant. For example an applicant may not submit two different applications for two separate projects to the JumpstART Mentorship Program. Applicants may submit their applications in French or English. However, it should be noted that not all jurors selected will be French speaking and therefore may not be able to fully read applications submitted in French. It is recommended that applicants provide at least a synopsis in English.
For each grant, a team of jurors is selected. Jurors independently review grant applications and assess them based on the assessment criteria below. Afterwards, they meet to review the audio-visual support material. It is at this point that they discuss the applications and deliberate as a group. Applicants will find out whether or not their submission has been successful within 6 weeks of the grant deadline. All applicants will be contacted regardless of application success.
Artistic merit pertains both to the quality of the proposed project as articulated by the required application documents, and to the quality of the submitted audio-visual support material. Artistic merit is demonstrated by an applicant’s commitment to their own artistic development and the contribution or impact the proposed project will have on their medium and discipline. Priority is given to proposals from applicants whose work demonstrates the development of their own unique artistic vision, voice or approach.
Applications are also assessed on feasibility. Feasibility is the ability for an applicant to see a project through to completion successfully. The feasibility of an application can be shown through the applicant’s thoughtful consideration and articulation of the proposed project that are demonstrated through required application documents such as:
DARC only accepts applications through our grant application submission form. Applications submitted over email or in person will not be accepted. If access to a computer is an impediment to applying, wanting applicants are very welcome to come and use a computer at DARC. All support material must be submitted via links. We do not accept any hard-copy materials.
Please note that all JumpstART applications are only accepted through our online submission form. You must thoroughly read the Program Outline listed above before entering the application process. The necessary requirements of each section are detailed in the form. If you encounter any issues or have any questions please contact technical@sawvideo.com.