Posting Date: February 6, 2026
Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) is inviting local non-profit and charitable organizations to partner with us on Indigenous & Multicultural Creative Connections, a two-year community initiative focused on cultural exchange, creative expression, and civic engagement in the Wood Buffalo region.
Indigenous & Multicultural Creative Connections is a community-led program that brings together Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, and rural residents to explore cultural identity, share lived experiences, and collaborate on creative projects that address real community issues.
Through facilitated small-group “Creative Learning Circles,” participants will:
- Build relationships across cultures and communities
- Reflect on shared challenges and strengths
- Use creative tools (arts, storytelling, media, performance, dialogue) to express community perspectives
- Develop and deliver civic action projects, such as public awareness campaigns, community forums, presentations to decision-makers, or engagement activities
The program culminates in public showcases, a regional gathering, and the release of a Creative Circles Toolkit to support future community-led engagement. Funding by the Civic Engagement for Social Change grant from the Catherine Donnelly Foundation will support the Creative Learning Circles and civic action projects. Session facilitators will receive honorariums for their time and contributions. Alumni participants will also be eligible for microgrants to continue their initiatives beyond the program.
WHY IT MATTERS
Wood Buffalo is one of Alberta’s most culturally diverse regions, yet many residents continue to face barriers to civic participation, cultural visibility, and access to inclusive spaces. Community research and regional plans have identified ongoing challenges related to:
- Racism and underrepresentation
- Limited culturally appropriate and accessible engagement opportunities
- Barriers faced by Indigenous peoples, newcomers, youth, and racialized communities
This initiative responds directly to those realities by centering lived experience, community leadership, and creative expression as tools for civic participation and systemic change.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Over 100 residents engaged in sustained civic dialogue and action over the course of the two year program.
- 8 Creative Learning Circles completed (including youth-focused groups)
- 8 public showcases and 8 civic action projects delivered
- Stronger networks between community members, organizations, and decision-makers
- Increased civic participation among underrepresented groups
- Long-term leadership development supported through mentorship and microgrants
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This project is designed to work alongside organizations that support and serve youth aged 15–29, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, newcomers to Canada, rural residents, and Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) communities, with a focus on collaboration, inclusion, and community-led engagement.
We are seeking non-profit and charitable organizations to collaborate in ways that may include:
- Supporting participant outreach and recruitment
- Referring or nominating community members who would benefit from participation
- Co-hosting sessions, gatherings, or showcases
- Providing cultural knowledge, facilitation support, or mentorship
- Helping connect participants with local networks and decision-makers
- Supporting alumni initiatives following the program
Partnerships can be flexible and tailored to each organization’s capacity and mandate.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Year 1 (2026): Cultural Sharing & Civic Readiness
Activities in the first year include participant recruitment and facilitator training, the formation of Creative Learning Circles, and a minimum of four creative and dialogue-based sessions per group. Participants will share their work through public community showcases and begin developing early concepts for civic action based on shared experiences and community priorities.
Year 2 (2027): Civic Action & Community Leadership
In the second year, returning participants take on mentorship roles while new participants join the circles. The focus shifts to Civic Action Labs, detailed project planning, and the implementation of community-based civic action projects. The program concludes with a final regional gathering, the launch of a public toolkit, and the distribution of microgrants to support alumni-led initiatives.
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
All submissions must be submitted through our online application form.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Submissions must be submitted by Friday, April 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM
CONTACT:
For questions or more information on this opportunity please contact our Programs Coordinator, Michelle Foran at michelle@artscouncilwb.ca or (587) 674-1625 x.106
