Nordic & Cloutier Family Innovation Award

Eligible applicants must:

• be 18 years of age or older;  
• be a resident of Edmonton (or live within 40km) for at least one year prior to the application deadline; 
• be a Canadian citizen, or permanent resident, or have a valid work permit;
• be a professional Artist(s). In this context, professional refers to any Artist committed to building and/or pursuing a career in theatre arts. Applicants may not currently be enrolled in post-secondary education specific to theatre. Applicants at any stage of their career (emerging through established) are encouraged to apply; and 
• submit an overview of how funds awarded will specifically benefit their artistic practice, including professional development, training, innovation in theatre arts creation, and/or special project development. 

The Nordic & Cloutier Innovation Award is given annually to one local based theatre Artist, group, or company. The award provides up to $2,500 cash toward professional development, training, innovation in theatre arts creation, and/or special project development.

Applicants must include the following in their application:

• lead Artist name, email, phone, address, company name (if applicable), social media handles (if applicable), and website (if applicable); 
• a summary of how funds awarded will be used (500 words max);  
• an overview of how the experience will specifically benefit your artistic practice, including expected outcomes, and personal and community impact (500 words max);  
• artistic resume or biography including details of your artistic career and training;  
• if you are applying for funding to support a mentorship opportunity, please include biographies of mentors; 
• groups/collectives are encouraged to include a brief history if relevant (150 words max); and 
• expenses, including a brief overview of how the award funds will be applied to your professional development, training, innovation in theatre arts creation, and/or special project development. 

NOTE: award funds may be used to supplement travel costs if travel is more than 40km outside of Edmonton. This award may not be used to offset the cost of a public ticketed performance, post-secondary education fees, personal bills, or other personal expenses. 

Please see “Submission Process & Deadline” below for further information regarding your application.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Artistic integrity: does the applicant demonstrate capacity to achieve the goals set out in their application? Will the use of funds have a considerable impact on the community and/or the Artist(s)’s artistic practice? Will the Artist contribute to the local theatre scene in a meaningful way because of the use of funds?  
• Project viability: is the scope manageable? Is the budget realistic?  
• Alignment: does the proposed use of funds align with the overarching artistic goals of Fringe Theatre? Will your use of funds support the following:  
  • Quality: support exceptional quality experiences in development, training, innovation, and/or special project development? 
  • Diversity: support the development of new paradigms and perspectives, or give voice to the minority, the unheard, or the overlooked? 
  • Relevance: reflect issues or concerns in our community, globally or locally?  
  • Variety: offer opportunity to support a range of genres, styles and techniques? 

Fringe Theatre is committed to supporting and fostering the work of diverse Artists whose voices have been historically underrepresented both onstage and behind the scenes in the arts community. We encourage applications from those who are part of the IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and/or other equity-seeking groups. To learn more about Fringe Theatre’s efforts to create Safer Spaces, please visit our Safer Spaces program.

Fringe Theatre Artistic Director, Murray Utas, reviews all applications to confirm eligibility. All eligible applications will be evaluated, and the award recipient will be selected based on the Evaluation Criteria noted above.

The successful applicant must agree to:

• submit a final report measuring the overall success of how funds benefitted your professional development, training, innovation in theatre arts creation and/or special project development, including a finalized budget outlining projected and actual expenses; 
• provide Fringe Theatre unlimited rights to publicize, advertise, and promote the applicant and their work in relation to the Nordic & Cloutier Innovation Award; 
• adhere to Fringe Theatre’s policies, including our Code of Conduct; 
• adhere to all guidelines and agreements within any contracts or contractual obligations required by professional associations, unions, and holders of copyrights for their performances; and accept sole responsibility for making all payments under such contracts; 
• assume sole responsibility for any and all contractual obligations related to the project under their application, and for ensuring the artistic content of the production abides by the laws of local, provincial, and federal bodies; 
• carry liability insurance and provide documentation of liability insurance to Fringe Theatre; and 
• adhere to the Fringe Theatre Award Recipient Agreement. 

Failure to comply or fulfill these agreements could result in the forfeiture of the award.

This application is now closed. The deadline to apply for the Nordic & Cloutier Family Theatre Award was Monday, April 1 at 11:59PM (MST).

Please submit your application using the application form below. 

Applications may also be submitted by email (PDF please!), letter mail, or in person: Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, 10330 84 Ave, Edmonton AB, T6E 2G9. 

If you have accessibility needs related to your application, or if you have any questions, please contact awards@fringetheatre.ca for assistance.

Successful applicant(s) will be notified via e-mail by July, 2024.