Pat the Dog Theatre Creation is delighted to announce the 2025 program of Micro-grants for Waterloo Region artists: 30 micro-grants of $1,000 each ($30,000 total) with each micro-grant representing the equivalent of 1-week paid work. This program is a is made possible through the support of Waterloo Region Community Foundation ($15,000), City of Waterloo ($10,000) and City of Kitchener ($5,000).
The Waterloo Region Micro-grants are intended to “kick-start” and spark the first idea of a new art work. These grants will aide professional artists in investigation of their practice, with a focus on process, iterative learning, collaboration, and deep thinking.
Eligibility: Artist must be a resident of Waterloo Region. All artistic disciplines are welcome.
Application Requirements: Microgrant program is for exploration, learning, and time to investigate a project or research question. Timelines of project can vary depending on individual project needs but must be started by June 30, 2025. All Microgrants are in the amount of $1,000. This represents 1-week of work for one individual artist.
To apply please submit the following to hello@patthedog.org
• A Letter of Interest (Max 2 pages) Describe the Project/Research to be undertaken with the Microgrant, articulate the questions and curiosities that you are exploring, describe the process that you wish to undertaking.
• A resume or CV.
APPLICATIONS OPEN OCTOBER 15, 2024. Close November 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
Selection Process: All applications will be read by a selection committee of members headed by Lisa O’Connell, Artistic Director/Pat the Dog Theatre Creation. Pat the Dog and our Jury provide all administration of the Waterloo Region Microgrants in-kind in support of our local artists.
Accessibility: Pat the Dog encourages submissions from all individuals. We are committed to the practice of inclusion and diversification. We will make every effort to identify and remove any barriers to inclusion within all aspects of the selection process by making decisions and communicating without regard to ethnicity, age, gender identity or expression, colour, disability, national origin, family or marital status, language, physical or mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or any other characteristic that make our communities and individuals unique.
RECIPIENTS
Antonia Anagnostopoulos: Exploring traditional Greek garments and Drag.
Jasmine Nicole Amoako: Diptych paintings exploring African Hair Culture.
Jackie Bradshaw: Presentation at International Art Fair (Folk Art)
Olivia Brouwer: Exploration of coding in Pure Data for Presence|Absence (new accessible art installation)
Sophie Corbett: Last Summer, animated film.
Brandon Corrigan: Exploration of Interactivity in Comedic Performance.
Braeden Etienne: Believe In It! – new comedy/music performance piece.
Lawrence O. Fajardo: Narrative Lights and Motions – Abstract photography of Waterloo Region.
Eduardo Falcon: Lockdown Lily animated film.
Stephanie Florence: Wearable Monster Sculptures for Performance.
Ben Gorodetsky: surrogacy – new documentary exploring surrogacy in parenting.
Julie Hall: Nuclear Family: Audio and Video artwork.
Shiloh Harrison: Original Songwriting exploring found sounds with riot girrrl influences.
Jacob Irish: A Month of Stolen Light: Colonial Relationship to Nature.
Shalaka Jadhav: Down By the River Pop-Up Gallery.
Behnaz Fatemi Jahmani: Performance exploring Iranian Women’s identity in Canada.
David Lacalamita: Original new works for piano and voice.
Erika Lui: New Aerial Performance with The Creek Collective.
Momma’s Kitchen Band: The Cookout – Recordings of live music show.
Ejiro Movoria: Grand Reflections, a new film exploring stillness in Waterloo Region.
Sam Nabi: Research into Online Storytelling Tools for Placemaking.
PINCH: Text-based collaboration with Textile Magazine authored by Lauren Prousky.
Andrew Jacob Rinehart: In Search of Colour – (Re) Naturalizing Ukrainian Folk Art Tradition in Petrykivka-style painting.
Taras Rudyi: New play on Holodomor (Ukrainian) Tragedy.
Sharl Smith: Events and Deadlines Online Cultural Platform.
Conan Stark: 1814-1984 – Series exploring collision growing up off-the-grid in Northern ON and Waterloo Region.
Emiko Takeda: Neighbourhood Little Galleries Pilot.
Amanda Tkaczyk: Anger and Care – Digital exhibition of Emotion and AI Tension.
Carolyn Tripp: Original card-based deck for artistic prompting.
Kez Vicario-Robinson: Spinning a Tale: Textiles, Storytelling and Performance.
The 2025 application period received 96 applications from artists in Waterloo Region. While we were able to advocate for an additional $5000 from the City of Kitchener, we regret that many strong projects remained on the table.
Jury for 2025: Denis Longchamps (Executive Director, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery), Tara Butler (Artistic Director, Dust and Soul Dance) and Lisa O’Connell (Artistic Director, Pat the Dog Theatre Creation).
