Fresh Ground new works

With the exception of the Project Lead, none of the collaborators are required to be professional Canadian artists. All manner of artistic collaborations by professionals working in any field are welcome to apply.

Fresh Ground new works is Harbourfront Centre's national commissioning programme — we are interested in exploring partnerships with artists and organizations from right across Canada. Don't let distance prevent you from applying!

As a contemporary arts centre, Harbourfront Centre presents works in arts and culture from a variety of genres, including – but not limited to: Theatre, Literature, Film, New Media, Family Programming, Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Fine Craft, and/or Community Arts.

Collaborations by artists working in any of these areas — and especially collaborations which cross over any of these areas — are of interest to our selection committee. Please surf our website for an overview of our programming.

Fresh Ground new works is open to both established and emerging artists. Though the Project Lead must be a working professional artist (as defined here), collaborators can be either established professionals or emerging artists - or a combination of both. Because one of the goals of Fresh Ground new works is to encourage multi-disciplinary collaborations across artistic fields and genres, applicants need not necessarily be members of a professional company or organization — though cross-company collaborations are, of course, encouraged!

That collaborators involved in the project's creation work in different disciplines — artistic or otherwise.

Unfortunately, this is not an option we can consider at this time.

We have tried to leave the wording of the Call for Submissions as open as possible, so that you and your collaborators can decide whether or not you wish to specify where on our site the final work should be presented or installed. Proposals can be specific or vague in this regard, but if your project is chosen we may ask you to be flexible, as venue availability will depend on a number of factors, including programming already in place.

Applicants are welcome to propose exhibition or presentation anywhere on our ten-acre site — whether indoors or outdoors, in traditional or non-traditional spaces. If you are unfamiliar with our site, or are applying from outside of the GTA, please visit the Venue Rentals section of our website for a list of the various theatres and multi-purpose venues at Harbourfront Centre. For information about the exhibition spaces, please visit the Visual Art section of our website.

Because the Power Plant Contemporary Gallery's programming is determined on a longer planning cycle than the rest of Harbourfront Centre's exhibition spaces, it is unfortunately not a potential site for Fresh Ground new works projects.

Because of the volume of applications, we are unfortunately unable to facilitate site tours. For those applicants unfamiliar with Harbourfront Centre's "footprint", you will find information on our site and venues via the Venue Rentals section of our website, as well as on the About Us page.

Please also feel free to come down to our site and wander around our public spaces. Building hours are posted on our web site here.

Harbourfront Centre's season runs from April through March. We are allowing the 2012-2013 season for your project's development, and expect it to be ready for presentation at Harbourfront Centre in our 2013-2014 season.

Presentation dates are one area where both Harbourfront Centre and the award recipients will have to be flexible, since there are so many variables that can impact when we are able to schedule your project, should it be selected as a Fresh Ground new works commission (i.e. venue availability, other programming already on the schedule, your team's availability etc.).

It is the goal of Fresh Ground new works to be a catalyst, initiating collaborative projects that might not otherwise have been considered or have been feasible. The commission aims to be "seed" money for your project — your initial source of funding. That said, depending on the nature of the project, $20,000 may not cover your entire costs. If asked to proceed to Stage Two of the application process, you will be asked to indicate other potential sources of revenue (i.e. government granting bodies, private foundations, sponsors etc.).

More information about budgets will be provided to short-listed applicants at Stage Two of the application process, but to sum up:

Your team will be responsible for all costs associated with the development, creation, delivery, installation at and removal of the work from Harbourfront Centre. If the work is a performance piece, production costs (i.e. equipment rental, staff costs etc.) should be considered, though Harbourfront Centre will waive all venue rental fees. The jury will be looking for a sound presentation budget, and considering areas where Harbourfront Centre may be able to provide assistance.

Your team should also be aware that, if your project is selected as an award recipient, cheques will be issued in the name of the Project Lead (unless otherwise requested by your team), and that GST is payable on that amount. A T4A will be issued at the end of the calendar year in the name of the Project Lead.