I Love My Gig Ontario: FAQ

Founded in 2014, the mission of ArtsPond is to nurture thriving ecosystems of care in all realms of life via the wisdom and creativity of arts and culture. Our vision is to empower artists and other creatives from the margins to guide positive community change and shared personal care within and beyond their usual surroundings.

The care team for I Love My Gig Ontario is comprised of a diverse group of Indigenous, Racialized, D/deaf, Disabled, LGBTQIA+, and other diverse individuals with a strong commitment to the evolution of care through arts and culture. Core members of the care team include Care Doulas Sania Khan, Emmy Patin, Najla Nubyanluv, Associate Producer Rana El Kadi, Founder Jessa Agilo, and more. Read their biographies here.

ArtsPond was one of the first to launch a national response to the pandemic in arts and culture across Canada. Our initiative I Lost My Gig Canada featured a bilingual impact survey and a mutual aid network that grew to over 7,500 members across the country and beyond. Since 2019, this network has offered free support and care, but engagement has declined as the pandemic has receded.

I Love My Gig Ontario is a pilot project to explore how Ontario creatives might envision mutual aid networks like I Lost My Gig Canada supporting future challenges. We also want to learn ways to enable and support the next generation of caregivers in arts and culture across the province. If successful, we aim to expand this project nationally, using the shared stories and insights to guide care communities in preparing for future crises led with, by, and for equity-deserving groups from coast to coast to coast.

Typically, each one of us is both seeking out and capable of offering change and care in various parts of our lives. Through this project, it is our hope that you will cultivate a deeper understanding of the ways you want to bring real and radical change and care into your life in arts and culture.

For example, changemakers actively work for positive social, environmental, economic, and cultural transformation, mobilizing others toward sustainable change. Real change in arts and culture can mean increased inclusivity, accessibility, and community engagement in response to ableism, colonialism, racism, and other systemic issues. Radical change challenges norms, envisions new futures, and redistributes power by embracing diverse, experimental expressions.

Alternatively, caregivers provide emotional, financial, social, or practical support to strengthen others’ wellbeing and resilience, fostering compassionate communities. Real care in arts and culture can involve resources and authentic support for personal wellbeing, economic sustainability, and building a sense of belonging through community initiatives. Radical care involves using artistic and cultural expression for activism, addressing systemic inequities, and nurturing collective wellbeing within the creative process.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

You will need a computer or mobile device with access to the internet. All meetings will take place via Zoom or other videoconferencing software. Upon request, there are limited funds available to offset the cost of creative materials and supplies used for personal projects.

Generally, no. However, we do have a limited amount of access supports available. Let us know what you require. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Generally, no. The fellowship is mostly self-directed with flexible scheduling for all participants. There will be a small number of group and one-on-one meetings that are planned in advance, including opening, midpoint, and closing plenaries. We will require all fellows to be in attendance during group meetings; however, scheduling of the meetings will depend on the availability of the fellows. We will confirm these dates with you before the start of the fellowship.

You do not need to be an expert. However, we anticipate most fellows will have some background curiosity and/or knowledge of a variety of issues, challenges, and possible remedies, therapies, or solutions that will help strengthen access to care in the face of future disasters. You will also need to be curious about different experiences and remain open to considering worldviews that are different from your own.

Fellows will join a diverse community of inspiring individuals with a lifetime of opportunities for community connection, inspiration, and support from across Canada.

After the fellowship is over, we will continue to nurture and grow this community by hosting annual gatherings of participants from all of ArtsPond’s learning initiatives.

Your personal project will be shared as a part of a new community hive on the future of care to be launched on ArtsPond’s website in Summer/Fall 2025. This hive will feature community stories and insights on multiple topics, including post-pandemic futures (I Love My Gig Ontario), youth art for social change (Caring Cultures), digital justice (Together There), and more.

Are you a creative soul from a justice-deserving community in Ontario? We want you to apply! Please reach out to care@artspond.com if you have questions or are unsure about any of our eligibility requirements.

Fellows must self-identify as belonging to one or more of five priority groups:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
• Racialized (Black, Brown, other people of colour)
• D/deaf
• Disabled (Neurodiverse, Mad, K/Crip, Sick/Spoonie, Blind, or other disabled)
• Outside the Core (living in a suburban, rural, or remote community).

Individuals with intersectional identities including one or more of the priority groups above as well as other diverse groups such as 2SLGBTQIA+, Newcomers, or Youth are encouraged to apply. Participants will not be expected to prioritize one of their identities over another, but to rather seek safety and comfort through care of their whole selves and to help others realize the same.

Individuals from one or more of the following industries and disciplines are eligible to participate:

• Artistic industries
  Inclusive of fine arts practices such as visual arts, sound arts, performing arts, multi or media arts, literary arts, community and public arts, and other fine arts.
• Creative industries
  Inclusive of applied arts and design practices such as publishing, motion pictures and film, journalism, craft, broadcasting, urbanism (architecture, urban planning, etc.), technology, and other creative industries
• Cultural industries
  Inclusive of museums, libraries, galleries, artist-run centres, community and friendship centres, tourism, parks and recreation, and other cultural industries.

Yes, some. We would like fellows to have deep knowledge of their home region, as well as lived experience or strong interest in at least one or two other regions of the province. Fellows should also express an interest in deepening their connections province-wide. These connections may be currently either personal or professional.

Applications will be reviewed by a minimum of two members from the care team and a peer advisory committee. There are five independent criteria that will be used to assess the overall relevance and impact of each application. Each element will receive a maximum score of 5 points, for a maximum score of 25 points. A shortlist of 50 applicants will receive further consideration before the final list of 13 fellows are announced.

A detailed description of the selection criteria is available here.

Generally, no. There are a limited number of spaces available. Groups or collectives may apply as a cohort with one individual as the lead applicant. The compensation ($2,000 fee + limited support for access and material costs upon request), mentorship hours, and other supports will have to be shared among all group members.

No. You must be a resident and legally entitled to work in Ontario for the entire duration of the fellowship to participate. If you work or reside in different parts of Canada during the year, Ontario must be the primary residence you report for income tax purposes.