“Grants and Proposals” Fall Workshop with Liz Barron
Date: Wednesday, November 25th, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM EST
Where: Virtually via Zoom
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Grant Writing for Artists
How does a strong artistic idea become a clear and competitive grant application? This hands-on workshop will examine two common grant-writing scenarios: applying for support after being invited to participate in an exhibition and applying to research and create a new body of work. Participants will learn how to describe their project, explain its importance, develop a realistic timeline and connect their proposed activities to an appropriate budget. This is a working session. Participants should come prepared with either a confirmed exhibition opportunity or an idea for a new body of work. Bring any relevant notes, invitation letters, project dates and estimated expenses. Participants will begin developing a project summary, timeline and list of expenses during the workshop.
Writing an Exhibition Proposal
Do you have an exhibition idea but are unsure how to approach an artist-run centre, gallery or curator? This hands-on workshop will guide artists through the essential components of an exhibition proposal, including the project description, artist statement, support materials and connection to a gallery’s mandate. Participants will learn how Canadian artist-run centres assess proposals and how to clearly communicate what they are proposing, why it matters and why it is appropriate for a particular venue. This is a working session. Participants should come prepared with an exhibition idea, notes about their work and, if possible, the name of an artist-run centre, gallery or curator they may wish to approach. Participants will begin drafting a project description during the workshop.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER
Liz Barron has been self-employed in the arts for the last 25 years. She is dedicated to building strategies and programs that target, motivate, and engage Indigenous artists and organizations working in all cultural milieu. Her skills in arts management includes experience working with CARFAC, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and numerous Indigenous led arts and culture not-for-profits. She is currently employed as Executive Director of Operations at the Indigenous Curatorial Collective (ICCA). Liz is one of the original founders of Urban Shaman Gallery in Winnipeg, and she has served as a mentor with the Manitoba Music Indigenous Mentorship program. She was the project manager for one of the largest Indigenous contemporary exhibitions in Canada, Close Encounters: The Next 500 Years, led by four Indigenous curators which featured over 30 Indigenous contemporary artists. In 2021, she started the Barron Bursary at Digital Arts Resource Centre in Ottawa, to support an Indigenous moving image maker to study film at the University of Ottawa. Barron is a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and a member of the Catfish Local, Winnipeg.
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REGISTRATION
After registering, you will receive an email with a Zoom link and additional workshop information.
CAPACITY
Space for this workshop is limited to 50 attendees.
ATTENDEE EXPECTATIONS
We ask you to come with your curiosity and questions! Discussion and engagement are encouraged.
ACCESSIBILITY
This workshop series will be held in English through Zoom with Closed Captioning enabled through auto-transcription technology. There will be discussions throughout the workshop, and so the use of audio will be used for participation.
Other accommodations can be made if we are informed ahead of time. The use of video is strongly encouraged for all attendees to contribute to the learning experience.
CODE OF CONDUCT
By registering for this workshop, you agree to respect the following terms:
Difficult conversations may arise; you agree to maintain a safe and respectful space for everyone to participate in discussions. CARFAC reserves the right to remove participants from workshop sessions if they use discriminatory language, personal attacks, inappropriate behavior or violent threats.
No recording or broadcasting of audio or video of the workshop by registered participants is permitted.
No sharing of personal Zoom registration links/codes with people not registered for the workshop. Additionally, you agree not to transfer the Zoom link/code to a substitute attendee unless permitted to do so by CARFAC.
Please contact CARFAC National Programs Director Larissa at larissa@carfac.ca if you have any questions about the Professional Development for Indigenous Artists workshop series.