Announcing the 2024 Arts & Culture Grants

Credit: Pacific Rim Arts Society 

We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts and Culture grants. This year, eleven inspiring projects in our region have been awarded a total of $30,000 in funding. These grants focus on supporting arts and cultural activities that encourage inter-generational participation. They aim to promote cross-community and cross-cultural engagement, facilitate learning and teaching opportunities, and strengthen arts capacity through workshops, collaborations, and education. Additionally, these grants prioritize equity-seeking initiatives that address barriers to equal access and participation in the arts, focusing on BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. 

We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, comprised of dedicated local volunteers, for their time and efforts to review each application.  

To learn more about the project, or connect with the project leaders, email jason@clayoquotbiosphere.org.  

2024 Arts and Culture Grant Projects 

Cultivating Connection: Redd Fish Eco-Art Series - Redd Fish Restoration Society​ 

By inviting experts, this series will provide hands-on experiences with sustainable art practices, using natural and local materials. The goal of this series is to emphasize the holistic nature of habitat restoration and ignite positive social action. Redd Fish wants to bridge the gap between art/creation and individual stewardship responsibilities. Workshops will run monthly from March to October, ensuring consistent engagement across different seasons. 

Maaqtusiis Culture - Maaqtusiis School​ 

This project will use funding for materials and supplies to teach ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) students traditional skills like cedar bark processing and regalia making. Older students will harvest cedar and learn processing techniques, while younger students will create their own regalia with assistance. The program culminates in a school feast where students will perform traditional songs and distribute homemade gifts. Intergenerational volunteers will support hands-on and oral learning, with invitations extended to neighboring schools for cultural sharing.

New Horizons, Ancient Roots: Carving on the Edge Festival Reimagined - Carving on the Edge Festival Society​ 

The Carving on the Edge Festival, themed 'New Horizons, Ancient Roots', blends the region's rich artistic heritage with contemporary expressions. Guided by a new arts advisory committee inclusive of Indigenous and diverse artists, supported by the BC Arts Council, the festival aims to decolonize its curatorial process. Moving to March for broader participation, it will offer workshops, presentations, and exhibits designed to inspire dialogue and foster artistic growth.  

Queer Art Collective - Coastal Queer Alliance​

The Queer Art Collective will host eight monthly workshops from August 2024 to May 2025 in Tofino and Ucluelet. These sessions, led by local queer artists, will blend discussions on topics like queer joy and Indigenous queer identities with hands-on art activities. Aimed at fostering connections and addressing community priorities, the workshops provide vital spaces for queer engagement in the region, supported by volunteers and aimed at enhancing inclusivity and support within the community. 

Ramp for the Clubhouse - Army Navy Air Force Unit 293 Ucluelet (ANAF)

The main entrance to ANAF Unit 293 needs a new ramp to replace the weather-damaged, outdated one. The new ramp will ensure better accessibility for everyone, supporting the wide range of activities at their clubhouse, including art gatherings, bingo, poker fundraisers, live music, and a chess club. A local band of tradesmen has volunteered to build the ramp, and the Pacific Rim Rotary branch will provide additional support. They plan to construct the ramp off-site to minimize disruption and complete the project quickly. 

'Salvaged' - A Collaborative Community Marine Debris Art Event – Pacific Rim Arts Society (PRAS)

Salvaged’ is a multi-faceted collaborative art event involving 8 artists, local businesses, volunteers, and non-profit organizations. Each artist was tasked with creating a unique art assemblage using locally salvaged marine debris. The artworks were unveiled at a PRAS-led Ocean Day event in Ucluelet on June 8, 2024. After the Ocean Day launch, the individual artworks were paired with a local business or organization to be exhibited until Fall 2024. The art works will then be auctioned off, with the funds being distributed to the artists and Ucluelet Plastic Depot/Ocean Legacy Foundation. The project aims to raise awareness about marine pollution through engaging art. 

ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Culture Group at Clayoquot Salmon Festival – Friends of Clayoquot Sound  

The Clayoquot Salmon Festival is developed annually to offer residents and visitors an opportunity to reflect upon and build an active appreciation for the irreplaceable value of salmon in Clayoquot Sound. This project will support the participation of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Cultural Group as they share knowledge, expertise, and performances related to salmon and the salmon ecosystem during the 10th Annual Clayoquot Salmon Festival. 

Tofino Jazz Festival 2024: Village Green Concerts​ - Tofino Community Enrichment Society​ 

The Tofino Jazz Fest is a vibrant 5-day celebration of jazz and World music, with a special focus on its free Village Green concerts. The Village Green concerts on June 28th and 29th, 2024, showcased over eight performances by local and BC artists, fostering a multigenerational and multicultural atmosphere. Free admission ensures accessibility for all, including those with disabilities, making the festival a unique and inclusive cultural experience in the region. 

Tofino Market Workshop Series – Tofino Public Market Society 

The Tofino Market Workshop Series aims to offer inclusive cultural, artistic, and educational experiences accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or religion. Hosted by the Tofino Public Market Society, these free workshops are taking place at the Gazebo on the Village Green during Tofino Market Saturdays. The series features ten engaging workshops, catering to both locals and tourists alike.  

Ucluelet Harbour History Guided Tours - Ucluelet and Area Historical Society​ 

This project features guided boat tours of the Ucluelet Harbour, highlighting the histories of nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations, white settlers, and Japanese Canadians. Collaborating with the Ucluelet & Area Historical Society and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (Ucluelet First Nation), the tours aim to educate participants about local history from diverse perspectives. Supported by local endorsements and ongoing research efforts, the project seeks to engage the community and expand its historical narrative outreach. 

Venues Seeking Artists Pilot Program - Tofino Arts Council Society​ 

The Venues Seeking Artists Pilot Program aims to connect Tofino's local businesses with artists to expand exhibition opportunities in the region. Led by the Tofino Arts Council, the program addresses the scarcity of exhibition spaces by conducting a comprehensive audit of potential venues, formal and informal, accessible via their website. This initiative not only supports local artists but also lays the groundwork for broader cultural asset mapping and analysis in the community. By cataloging cultural assets like artists, artisans, and historic sites, they aim to align future development efforts with the community's unique strengths and opportunities.