Introducing the Future Makers Incubation Grants!
About the Future Makers Incubation Grant Program
The Future Makers Incubation Grant aims to support 8 entrepreneurs, small businesses and/or independent creators in the GTA to explore new possibilities through digital transformation, innovation, and/or the development of new entrepreneurial models within the creative industries.
Supported by the City of Toronto’s new Interactive Digital Media Office and The Creative School Innovation Studio Zones, each $2,000 CAD grant is intended to support emerging creative innovators interested in future-proofing and rebuilding the creative industries post-Covid, through the exploration and/or application of new technologies, new business models, or other innovations.
In addition to the grant, recipients will receive a six-month membership to one of the Creative Innovation Studio Zones ($1500 value). Members of the Design Fabrication Zone, Fashion Zone and Transmedia Zone receive access to a community of like-minded creators, guidance and mentors to advance their work, and resources to create.
The program will start in mid-January 2022 and end in July 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this grant the individual/team must:
- Be located (home/business address) in the GTA
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or student visa holder
- Have an idea/project/company focused on rebuilding the creative industries post-Covid
AND should meet at least two of the following criteria:
-Led by a racialized and/or traditionally marginalized in the creative industries person
-Creator(s) has/have a track record demonstrating past success
-Existing connection or collaborations with industry partners
-Led by a student, undergraduate, graduate or PhD at any institution in the GTA
The idea/project/company should:
- Explore digital transformation within a creative sector, including but not limited to theatre and the performing arts, live events, music, fashion, film, television and streaming, fine arts
- Innovate (audience engagement, production processes, etc) within a creative sector; and/or
- Explore new entrepreneurial models or business models within a creative sector
At the end of the 6-month period, successful applicants must present a progress report to representatives of the City of Toronto Interactive Digital Media Office and the Innovation Studio Zone Managers.
Interested? Apply here (external link) by 11:59pm on January 9, 2022.