Harbourfront Centre's mandate is to present programmes and activities that introduce Toronto audiences to artists and art forms not normally seen in commercial venues, to explore new and bold frontiers in the arts and creative expression, and to entertain and educate the diverse public who live in and visit our great city. One of the ways that we do this is by assisting in the development of artists who are making contemporary, boundary-pushing Canadian art.

What you should know about Fresh Ground new works

An important facet of the commission is the presentation of the finished project here at Harbourfront Centre – which means we'll be working very closely with you throughout the course of the project's development. In order to fully support your project, it will be presented under the umbrella of one of our existing programmes – so it is important that applicants have a strong idea of who and what Harbourfront Centre is all about!

Fresh Ground new works is more than just an award - it is the first step on the road to a partnership with us. If you are unfamiliar with who we are and what we do, we suggest you take the time to visit our website to explore the breadth of our arts and cultural programming, learn about our physical site, our history and our mission, and check out current and past Fresh Ground new works award recipients.

The Selection Process

The selection process involves two stages, and the timeline is as follows:

In the first stage, collaborators are asked to delegate a Project Lead to complete the online application and submit a Letter of Intent on behalf of the project's collaborators. This Letter of Intent should clearly outline the artistic statement and core concept of the project, provide a description of how the project will be realized, and introduce each collaborator and their contribution.

All stage one applications will be reviewed by a selection committee from Harbourfront Centre's Public Programmes division. A short-list of applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal for stage two of the adjudication process.

In the second stage, collaborators are asked to submit support material outlining the project in greater detail, including a budget and time line. Stage Two applicants are also required to submit material documenting each collaborator's relevant professional activity (artistic or otherwise) and their history of public presentation or performance, either collectively or individually. It is at this stage that the jury will consider whether the collaborators can deliver what is being proposed - something to keep in mind when you are considering what support material to provide.

Upon completion of the adjudication process, a maximum of five successful projects will be chosen by Harbourfront Centre. Each project selected will be assigned a staff member from Harbourfront Centre to act as Project Liaison for the duration of the project's development and eventual presentation at Harbourfront Centre. Each project will also be required to sign an agreement with Harbourfront Centre governing the terms of the award.

Eligible projects are new artistic creations never before presented or performed, involving more than one discipline or field (artistic or otherwise), and involving collaborators working in different disciplines or fields.

Fresh Ground new works was made possible this season by the generosity of several individual donors who have actively assisted in the creation of new Canadian art works: Robert & Anne Marie Canning, John Harkness, George Myhal, Jim & Sandra Pitblado, Michael & Sonja Koerner, Wil & Judy Matthews, Peter Allen, Margaret & Jim Fleck, Lionel F. Conacher & Joan Dea, and by a grant from Imperial Tobacco Canada Arts Fund.