Description

ART SMART is seeking creative session/workshop proposals from local artists. Potential candidates must reside within the GTA or be willing to lead the creative sessions in person at our school in the GTA without travel reimbursement.

ART SMART is a unique enriched arts program that offers every student of Clinton Street Junior Public School meaningful community-powered arts experiences that spark fun, growth and connection. Established in 1989 through a generous gift from the late Beatrice Minden to ensure all students at the school have access to enriched arts experiences. ART SMART is powered by the registered charity Friends of Clinton (Registered charity #139821805RR0001). Creative sessions, artist honorarium, and materials are funded and enabled by volunteer parents, teachers and our broader school community.

We provide 3 sets of sessions a year to all students of Clinton Street Junior Public School (Kindergarten to grade 6 classes which include approximately 325 children). These sessions are led by a local artist. Past artist collaborations have included explorations in ink drawing, painting, large murals, multi-media work, sculpture and collage (eg. textiles, plasticine, recycled toys, etc), clay tiles and print-making.

We are currently seeking an Indigenous artist, partnership or group to create, prepare for and lead the in-person
workshop(s) that result(s) in art that is either:
a) individually created by each student
b) collectively created as a classroom of students
c) collectively created as a school, with each class contributing to the creation

The intention of the session(s) is to introduce all students to art making and to empower students in hands-on creation and expression which culminates in physical work(s) which will be displayed near the end of the school year as part of a celebrational art night at the school. Past artist collaborations were set up in the format of 17 similar or identical one-hour creative sessions, one for each individual classroom. We welcome and can collaborate on alternative approaches. The artist is responsible for the primary planning, preparation and delivery of the session(s).

How To Apply

OPTION 1: Click ‘Apply here’ to fill out the online proposal.

OPTION 2: Share an equivalent written proposal to hello@artsmartclinton.com which addresses the following by …
February Session: Friday, January 10, 2025
April Session: Friday, January 31, 2025
School year 2025/26: Ongoing until all three sessions are filled

Artist Bio: Tell us about yourself, your background and your art.

Artist Portfolio: Include a link to your website / relevant social media account or pdf portfolio.

Session Title: Proposed name for the creative session.

Date Options: Preferred month and dates for sessions. Ideally, sessions will take place over 1–3 weeks to reach the entire student population of the school. If we proceed with your proposal, the exact dates will be discussed and agreed upon together. Options for months are February 2025, April 2025 or school year 2025/26. Sessions would take place Monday–Friday, during regular school hours 9 am–3 pm. Dates may be flexible within those parameters.

Session Objectives: What do you hope to accomplish through these creative sessions? Please consider answers to the following: What do you envision as the physical artwork(s) that come(s) out of the session(s)? What themes do you plan to explore with students? What skills, abilities, and knowledge do you hope participants take away from the creative session? 

Approach: Provide a brief description and overview of the creative sessions(s) you propose to facilitate. In your response, please include how you plan to accomplish the objectives laid out in the section above. Provide a vision for what the sessions would be like. Would you run one session for each class or do you have another idea? How would the time be spent? Provide an overview or agenda. Detail your approach.

Materials: List materials required, sourcing plan, planned method of purchase, approach to preparation for the sessions and approximate budget for materials. Please note our target materials budget is approximately +/- $1/student. If we move forward together, we will discuss this much further. You would be responsible for ensuring materials are purchased, prepared and ready for use. There may be some support available to help if agreed upfront.

Other: Is there anything else you wish to share OR do you have any related questions for us?