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photos taken by TSW 2023 Scavenger Hunt participants: 1ArtsyGoose, Art3mis, Cathierose, and poserfish

photos taken by TSW 2023 Scavenger Hunt participants: 1ArtsyGoose, A_Snoop, B_yron_Beauties, and Unagi

photos taken by TSW 2023 Scavenger Hunt participants: 1ArtsyGoose, 123-Goosechase, Art3mis, poserfish, and Unagi

photos taken by TSW 2023 Scavenger Hunt participants: 1ArtsyGoose, 123-Goosechase, Art3mis, poserfish, and Unagi

photos taken by TSW 2023 Scavenger Hunt participants: AaaronSaam, poserfish, SnapTheWrap, and Unagi

Londoners have expressed that they want London to be a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible community. They believe that the City of London should be a leader in standing up against hate and intolerance by ensuring all Londoners have opportunities for full participation in accessible community programs without experiencing barriers. As our community acknowledges our commitment to Indigenous peoples in London and surrounding First Nations and recognizes the growing populations of diverse communities, we must provide adequate support to preserve and promote diverse expressions through arts and culture that contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible community. Therefore, business case #P-8 proposes the following to effectively address the City’s Strategic Plan Outcomes 1 and 2 under Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion while also supporting Outcome 3 under Economic Growth, Culture, and Prosperity: Expansion of Existing Programs (2024-2027) Artist in Residence – Proposed to serve 12 additional culturally and artistically diverse artists. (Total annual amount by 2027: $90,000)  The expanded program will offer new categories to effectively highlight the London UNESCO City of Music designation Action Plan (Focus Area: Inclusive Communities) and UCCN membership by supporting London’s arts/culture sector development and international collaboration through arts/culture through enriched professional development, creation, and presentation opportunities. London Arts Live – Proposed to provide over 1,200 additional diverse arts activations and artistic opportunities throughout London.  (Total annual amount by 2027: $157,500) The expanded program will directly support the growth of diverse local artistic and musical talent and address growing community demands for diverse art activations. A new program component, ‘The Gallery’, will provide much-needed professional art exhibition/sales opportunities in highly visible spaces in London (e.g., RBC Place London) to promote London's diverse artists/creators and support them with income. Addition of New Programs (2024-2027) Cultivating Allyship through the Arts – Proposed to support over 50 new projects. This program will provide eligible artists/creators in the following streams with relational grant opportunities through specialized assistance and support. Indigenous Arts Stream: This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for Indigenous artists/creators in London and the surrounding three First Nations as they continue to practice art forms and create art works. This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for Indigenous artists/creators. Diverse Expressions of Arts Stream: This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities as they continue to practice art forms and create artworks. This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities. Youth Art Incubation – Proposed to support 25 youth members This program will provide paid art internship and mentorship opportunities for students in secondary/post-secondary schools to explore and engage with the local arts sector while developing their expertise through professional learning experiences. (Total annual amount by 2027: $67,500)

The UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions As an international law, the 2005 Convention provides an important normative grounds for Canada (the first State that ratified the 2005 Convention) and a framework for UNESCO Creative Cities Network member cities like London. Hence, The London Arts Council's programs address the 2005 Convention through all aspects of programs as the Convention embodies the following important notions: Cultural diversity is a defining characteristic of humanity. The importance of cultural diversity for the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms is proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other universally recognized instruments. Culture needs to be incorporated as a strategic element in national and international development policies, as well as in international development cooperation, considering that culture takes diverse forms across time and space and that this diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities and cultural expressions of the peoples and societies making up humanity. Culture plays an important role in social cohesion, and cultural diversity is strengthened by the free flow of ideas and nurtured by constant exchanges and interactions between cultures. The diversity of cultural expressions, including traditional cultural expressions, is an important factor that allows individuals and peoples to express and share with others their ideas and values. Traditional knowledge as a source of intangible and material wealth is important, as are the knowledge systems of indigenous peoples and their positive contribution to sustainable development, as well as the need for adequate protection and promotion. For more information on the UNESCO 2005 Convention, see: (https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/convention-protection-and-promotion-diversity-cultural-expressions) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) UNESCO’s advocacy for the role of culture in sustainable development over the last decade has given rise to several UN General Assembly resolutions acknowledging culture as a transformative dimension that ensures sustainability in the development process. Today, UNESCO continues to align its work in culture to better address sustainable development challenges and to advocate for the prioritization of culture in both the SDGs and in the documents emerging from the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. No development can be sustainable without taking culture into account. Yet, compared to the international community’s initial ambition, the potential to engage culture for sustainable development remains largely untapped in national strategies to implement the SDGs. Now, to succeed in a time of global concern, the SDGs need the involvement of the communities, leaders and cultural network members who are most engaged in culture and who best understand its potential impacts. This means we need to harness the power of cultural institutions and organizations to shape new ways to envision a more inclusive, just and equitable world. Culture as a Human Right A large part of this commitment involves respecting, protecting and promoting the cultural rights of all persons and aspiring to greater solidarity based on the recognition of cultural diversity. The United Nations encourages cultural and heritage organizations to incorporate the principles set out in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001) into their practices, objectives and policies—particularly those concerning the obligation to guarantee cultural rights, access to cultural goods and services, free participation in cultural life, and freedom of artistic expression to forge inclusive and equitable societies. This could look like paying attention to the diversity of creative work, creating opportunities for artists to share their work in the language of their choice, and promoting equal access to art and to scientific and technological knowledge. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. UNESCO has long asserted that the achievement and implementation of the SDGs need to be people-centred so that cultural rights and diversity can be key drivers of people’s participation, ownership and creativity. To view the Culture for SDGs Toolkit, see: (https://cultureforsdgs.ca/#download) "Culture: at the heart of SDGs" Article by Jyoti Hosagrahar (https://en.unesco.org/courier/april-june-2017/culture-heart-sdgs)

LAC’s request through business case #P-38 requests additional investment of $345,000 to gradually expand the capacity of CAIP arts funding steams from $700,000 to $1,000,000. Additional investment to CAIP will mean: ·   Increased capacity to fund 20 new applicants and increase the amount of the overall investment to sustain the existing arts sector in all the CAIP funding steams. In 2023, CAIP arts funding streams received 162 applications with over $2 million in unprecedented requests from 22 arts organizations, 42 artist collectives, and 98 artists, and only 67 applicants (41%) received funding through CAIP.  CAIP policy changes have increased the applicant operating revenue ceiling amount for organizations from 1M to 1.5M to recognize the economic changes that have occurred over 23 years. ·   Expansion of diversification of CAIP allocations to equity-denied organizations and artist/creators and having the geographic reach to include artists/creators from the three surrounding First Nations. ·   Additional investment to local music (2023 51% [$355,800] of CAIP was allocated to 38 music organizations, collectives, and musicians) that will incubate artistic talent to support London’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music. ·   Increased leveraging by the LAC and CAIP recipients to access additional sources of funding. Since 2020, the LAC has leveraged over $300,000 in additional funds through the collaboration with the London Community Foundation to administer and allocate the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to local arts organizations through the CAIP process. The arts and culture sector will be able to continue to support multiple segments of London's workforce and enable London to remain competitive with the growing investments of other municipalities. The total 2020 London Cultural GDP was $677M, included as part of the 2020 $28B Ontario Cultural GDP.

Call Summary The London Arts Council invites artists and creators living in London and surrounding First Nations - the Chippewas of the Thames, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation - to submit high-resolution digital images of their original artwork for purchase and use in a public art project. Artwork images will be printed onto a vinyl wrap and attached to traffic light boxes at street light intersections around London. Application Requirements Digital images at 300 dpi. Payment Selected artists and creators will receive $400.00 per image used, as per the current CARFAC rate. The artwork provided must be original artwork and the sole intellectual property of the artist or creator, with no copyright infringements. Please refer to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office website link for clarification on copyright: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02281.html Eligibility Professional Artist, Creator, and Practitioners of Traditional Arts This project is open to all professional artists and creators (emerging and established) who are 18 years of age or older, and who reside in London Ontario or surrounding First Nations - the Chippewas of the Thames, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation. The London Arts Council defines a professional artist and creator as someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by artists and creators working within the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their work. Short breaks in artistic work history are permitted under this definition. Online Submission Artists/Creators/Practitioners of Traditional Arts wishing to be considered must complete all application requirements. Please complete all required fields of the online application form and submit the required application documents. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. Applications submitted through other means, such as fax, mail, and email will not be accepted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application is submitted by the deadline of Friday, January 26, 2024, 4:00pm. For any questions regarding this project, please email: info@londonarts.ca For any Call to Artists updates please check the website at www.londonarts.ca If you require support to complete this application due to accessibility barriers, please reach out to Janet Antone, Specialist, Cultivating Allyship: jaantone@londonarts.ca

Professional artists are significantly disadvantaged financially and are often one step behind the poverty level. According to Statistics Canada 2021, the median personal income of professional artists in Ontario was 41% less than that of other workers. What is more, artists with different racial, gender, sexual, and social identities have experienced added barriers and have not been able to meaningfully participate in and contribute to the London community. The expanded Arts in Communities Programs such as Artist in Residence, London Arts Live, Cultivating Allyship through the Arts, and Youth Art Incubation will provide adequate support and equitable opportunities for Indigenous artists, equity-deserving artists, and future arts professionals for their growth and development and encourage their cultural, social, and economic participation in the London community. Business Case #P8: Expanision of London Arts Council's Arts in Communities Programs, under Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion requests a gradual increase to expand the capacity of Arts in Communities programs to $500,000 by 2026. Expansion of existing programs: Artist in Residence – Proposed to serve 12 additional culturally and artistically diverse artists. London Arts Live – Proposed to provide over 1,200 additional diverse arts activations and artistic opportunities throughout London. Addition of new programs: Cultivating Allyship through the Arts – Proposed to support over 50 new projects. This program will provide eligible artists/creators in the following streams with relational grant opportunities through specialized assistance and support. Indigenous Arts Stream This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for Indigenous artists/creators in London and the surrounding three First Nations as they continue to practice art forms and create art works. This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for Indigenous artists/creators. Diverse Expressions of Arts Stream This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities as they continue to practice art forms and create artworks. This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities. Youth Art Incubation This program will provide paid art internship and mentorship opportunities for students in secondary/post-secondary schools to explore and engage with the local arts sector while developing their expertise through professional learning experiences.

The London Arts Council (LAC) invites visual artists and creators residing in London, Ontario, surrounding First Nations (the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation) to apply for a paid opportunity to participate in LAC’s community-focused arts program: Belong – Inclusive Arts Experiences for Children and Youth as Artist-Educator Mentors or Artist-Educator Mentees. Applications are now closed. Program Overview: Belong – Inclusive Arts Experiences for Children and Youth is a community-centred arts program that promotes mental health, wellness, and social cohesion through creative activities. Belong includes weekly arts activities at 5 different neighbourhood resource centres. This program will provide: children and youth with high-quality, arts education experiences that promote creativity, self-exploration/expression, and a sense of belonging emerging artists/creators with authentic and enriched apprenticeship/mentorship opportunities through co-development/delivery of arts sessions and mentorship sessions professional artistic programming for neighbourhood resource centres that serve newcomer and low-income populations, thus supporting their mission for their community. Artist-Educator Mentors will take part in Belong for approximately 14 months. This will involve orientation and training, concept development, co-creating lesson plans with mentees, monthly one-on-one mentorship sessions, and delivery of 40 (3 hour weekly) arts sessions, including time for setup and cleanup. Mentors will be compensated at a rate of $50 per hour for delivering programs and $25 per hour for orientation, training, mentorship sessions, development, planning, and preparation. Note: The time commitment is estimated to encompass approximately one day a week (*one day and a half for a 2-month period), and total payment that goes directly to each artist-educator mentor will be $11,450.00. Artist-Educator Mentees will take part in Belong for approximately 7 months. This will include orientation, training, co-creating lesson plans with a mentor and a fellow mentee, monthly one-on-one mentorship sessions, and delivery of 20 (3 hour weekly) arts sessions, including time for setup and cleanup. Mentees will be paid $30 an hour for program delivery and $20 per hour for orientation, training, mentorship session, development, planning, and preparation. Note: The time commitment is estimated to encompass approximately five hours a week and will pay a total of $3,120.00. Online Submission Artists/creators wishing to be considered MUST read the application package thoroughly prior to filling out the online application form and complete all application requirements. Please complete all required fields of the online application form and submit the required application documents. For any questions regarding this project, please email: info@londonarts.ca For any Call to Artists updates please check the website at www.londonarts.ca If you require support to complete this application due to accessibility barriers, please reach out to Janet Antone, Specialist, Cultivating Allyship: jaantone@londonarts.ca

London Arts Council is requesting $345,000 to expand the capacity of CAIP arts funding streams. CAIP contributes to the creative vibrancy of London and enhances London’s desirability as a community of choice and visitor destination by providing direct financial support and investment for the local arts sector and its diverse artistic and musical talent for creation, production, and presentation. However, the CAIP budget has not seen an increase in investment in the 23 years since its inception, yet the demand has grown tremendously. CAIP has reached its financial allocation capacity with over $2 million in unprecedented requests. As a result, only 41% of applicants received funding through CAIP in 2023. Without a healthy budget for the CAIP program, our community will lose diverse artists and arts organizations that enrich the cultural life of London.