Mowat Diversity Award
The Mowat Diversity Award re-imagines the landscape of theatre by creating an opportunity to enrich the diversity of the Artists and their stories on stage.
Through the Mowat Diversity Award, we have dedicated one Lottery spot to support equity-seeking Artists – providing them a venue spot, technicians, lighting, sound equipment, box office support, marketing, public relations, and advertising in support of their show, plus $500 cash, mentorship facilitated by the Fringe Theatre Artistic Director, and reimbursement of their Festival application fee in full.
Additionally, Artists who apply to this award but are not successful will have an additional chance to be drawn in the Lottery for the Festival, further elevating their odds of securing a Festival spot.
This award is dedicated to Dave Mowat who helped to transform the landscape of Fringe Theatre while serving as the CEO of ATB Financial. Dave and his wife Sandy personally introduced more than 1,500 people to fringing. They helped to break down the barriers between audience and art, to discover exciting ways to make theatre more accessible and supportive of our diverse community.
Eligible applicants must be:
- an indoor theatre Artist;
- the lead Artist of the project who self-identifies as equity-seeking as defined by the Equity Lottery Program (equity-seeking does not need to be extended to the subject matter of the work and/or additional artists contracted to support the creation and production of the work);
- 18 years of age or older;
- a resident of Edmonton (within 50km) for at least one year prior to the application deadline;
- a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have a valid work permit; and
- available to participate in the upcoming Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, including any necessary technical rehearsal time in advance of the Festival.
The Mowat Diversity Award is given annually to one local equity-seeking Artist. Including in-kind contributions, the value of this award is $10,000, and will provide the recipient:
- in-kind support including one lottery venue spot, technicians, lighting, sound equipment, box office support, marketing, public relations, and advertising in support of their show;
- $500 cash toward the production, to be spent at the artist’s discretion;
- mentorship facilitated by Fringe Theatre; and
- reimbursement of the Festival application fee in full.
Eligible applications will be automatically entered into a Lottery draw for the Mowat Diversity Award. Please note, all applications will be vetted by committee to ensure adherence to the eligibility guidelines above. Any applications that do not meet the award eligibility will be removed from the Mowat Diversity Award lottery and placed into the appropriate lottery category.
Applications for the 2024 Mowat Diversity Award are currently closed! The deadline to apply was 5PM MST on Monday November 18, 2024.
The Mowat Diversity Award is a part of the Equity Lottery Program. To apply, complete the Festival Lottery Application, including the Equity Lottery section questions. Applications must be submitted and completed in full electronically via Eventotron by 5PM MST on Monday November 20, 2023. Applicants will be determined via Lottery on November 27, 2023. The successful recipient will be notified either in person at the Fringe Theatre Lottery Event, or via email immediately following the lottery draw.
All local Artists who apply as an Equity-seeking Artist will be entered in the Lottery for this award. Artists who are not successful will be entered in the national Equity-seeking Lottery. If unsuccessful there, they will be entered in the general Festival Lottery in accordance with their designation as a local or national Artist.
History
Dave Mowat transformed the Albertan landscape through his incredible leadership in his role as CEO of ATB Financial, as well as in his many leadership positions within our community. In 2013, his leadership led ATB Financial to become the Lead Partner & Sponsor for the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.
Dave and his team helped us revolutionize theatre, bringing their spirit of ingenuity and their passion for diversity. For example, they helped us create patios dedicated to patrons and families who need respite during the Festival. We increased site mobility by adding accessible walkways and ramps. And, we launched an Indigenous Innovation Program that engages Indigenous artists and programming throughout the year.
Over the years, Dave and his wife Sandy have personally introduced more than 1,500 people to fringing. They have helped us break down the barriers between audience and art, and together we have found exciting ways to create opportunities that are more accessible by and supportive of our diverse community.
To honour Dave’s leadership and his retirement from ATB Financial, we established a legacy fund that will support an annual award given to an equity-seeking artist who will perform a show at the Festival, the Mowat Diversity Award.