Frequently Asked Questions for Scholarship, Grant and Award Applicants
First Nations Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria for the YVR Art Foundation scholarships, grants and awards?
Applicants must be of BC or Yukon First Nations ancestry and live in BC or the Yukon.
I am Metis. Am I eligible?
Metis applicants must hold BC Metis citizenship.
Am I required to have First Nations status?
Applicants must have BC or Yukon First Nations ancestry and self-identify as a BC or Yukon First Nation to apply for the YVR Art Foundation scholarships, grants and awards. Status is not required.
Aspiring Artist Awards
What ages are eligible to apply for the Aspiring Artist Awards?
Applicants for the Aspiring Artist Awards must be between the ages of 13 and 19.
Can I apply for an Aspiring Artist Award if I have received the Youth Art Scholarship?
No. You can only be awarded an Aspiring Artist Award if this is the first grant, scholarship or award you would receive from the YVR Art Foundation.
How many times can I receive the Aspiring Artist Award?
Aspiring artists are eligible to receive an Aspiring Artist Award only once.
When can I apply for this Award?
All Award applications will open in February, with a deadline in late March (date to be announced). Watch this site for the announcement that applications are being accepted. Applications submitted at any other time will not be considered.
What should I include in my portfolio?
It is important that your portfolio shows your best work and that it reflects BC or Yukon First Nations culture. The work in your portfolio can be self-initiated or done in an art class.
Note: Please also see the General section of our FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information on the submission process.
Youth Art Scholarships
What ages are eligible to apply for the Youth Art Scholarships?
Applicants for the YVR Art Foundation Youth Art Scholarships must be between the ages of 16 and 26.
Can I apply for a Youth Art Scholarship if I have received an Aspiring Artist Award?
Yes.
How many times can I receive a Youth Art Scholarship?
Artists are eligible to receive a maximum of two Youth Art Scholarships.
When can I apply for this scholarship?
All scholarship applications will open in November, with a deadline in late January (date to be announced). Watch this site for the announcement that applications are being accepted. Applications submitted at any other time will not be considered.
Should I include my own resume or CV?
Yes you may include your own resume or CV. It would enhance the work/volunteer section of the application if you included a resume or CV.
How specific should the description of my Program of Study be in my application?
The description of your Program of Study should be as specific as possible. You should include, for example, how many days/hours a week you will be spending with your mentor, as well as details concerning your art work you would create for the scholarship. You should also discuss how your art work relates to the skills you already have and the skills you would hope to gain if you received the scholarship. When describing the art work you would create for your scholarship, be as specific as possible (ie. type of art, size, materials etc.)
How specific should my Budget be in my application?
You should be as specific as possible. Potential categories in your budget may be, but are not limited to: travel expenses, mentor honorarium, materials and supplies, living expenses etc.
What do the display cases at YVR look like for the artwork that would be exhibited at YVR?
The display cases measure: 43" wide x 29" deep x 66" high, and the artwork you propose to exhibit at YVR must fit within the case. (See photo below)
Should I include images of my mentor’s work with my application?
Although it is not required for your application, if you wish to, you may include images of your mentor’s work along with his/her CV. Including images of your mentor’s work may enhance the strength of your application.
Do I need to send in original copies of my high school or post secondary transcripts?
You do not need to provide originals, but you do need to provide a copy. If you are completing an online application, you may upload a copy of your most recent transcripts. If you are mailing in your application you may include a copy or original of your transcripts.
My application is ready to be submitted but the transcripts haven't arrived in the mail, or I don't have my transcripts.
The application may be submitted without transcripts if you state clearly that the transcripts will follow and how they will be sent (e.g. mail or email). Please contact the Program Coordinator with any other questions relating to transcripts.
What should I include in my portfolio?
It is important that your portfolio show your best work, but if possible we encourage you to include images that are relevant to the project you are proposing (e.g. if your proposed project is a button blanket, include images that showcase your design and sewing skills).
Note: Please also see the General section of our FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information on the submission process.
Mid-Career Artist Scholarships
What ages are eligible to apply for the Mid-Career Artist Scholarships?
Applicants for the Mid-Career Artist Scholarships must be 27 years of age or older.
Can I apply for a Mid-Career Artist Scholarship if I have received a Youth Art Scholarship?
Yes. Artists are eligible to receive a maximum of two Youth Art Scholarships and one Mid-Career Artist Scholarship.
How many times can I receive a Mid-Career Artist Scholarship?
Artists are eligible to receive a Mid-Career Artist Scholarship only once.
When can I apply for this scholarship?
All scholarship applications will open in November, with a deadline in late January (date to be announced). Watch this site for the announcement that applications are being accepted. Applications submitted at any other time will not be considered.
Should I include my own resume or CV?
Yes you may include your own resume or CV. It would enhance the work/volunteer section of the application if you included a resume or CV.
How specific should the description of my Program of Study be in my application?
The description of your Program of Study should be as specific as possible. There are three sections to complete in the Program of Study. In section A, clearly state whether you plan to: work with a master artist, attend a recognized school of art OR to work on a special art project of cultural significance to your community. In this section include details such as, how many days/hours a week you would spend with your master artist (if applicable). In Program of Study B, give as much detail as possible about how receiving this scholarship will impact you and your art career. In Program of Study C, be clear about whether you plan to submit an art work for your Scholarship award, or if you will be submitting a Report. If you are submitting an art work, give as much detail as possible (ie. type of object, size and materials etc.).
How specific should my Budget be in my application?
You should be as specific as possible. Potential categories in your budget may be, but are not limited to: travel expenses, master artist honorarium, materials and supplies, living expenses etc.
Should I include images of my master artist’s work with my application?
Although it is not required for your application, if you wish to, you may include images of your master artist’s work along with their CV. Including images of your master artist’s work may enhance the strength of your application.
Do I need to send in original copies of my high school or post-secondary transcripts?
You do not need to send originals, but if you attended post-secondary, you do need to provide a copy of your transcripts. If you are completing an online application, you may upload a copy of your post-secondary transcripts. If you are mailing in your application you may include a copy or original of your post-secondary transcripts. High school transcripts are not required.
My application is ready to be submitted but the transcripts haven't arrived in the mail, or I don't have my transcripts.
The application may be submitted without transcripts if you state clearly that the transcripts will follow and how they will be sent (e.g. mail or email). Please contact the Program Coordinator with any other questions relating to transcripts.
What should I include in my portfolio?
It is important that your portfolio show your best work, but if possible we encourage you to include images that are relevant to the project you are proposing (e.g. if your proposed project is a button blanket, include images that showcase your design and sewing skills).
Note: Please also see the General section of our FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information on the submission process.
Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grants
What ages are eligible to apply for the Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grants?
There is no age restriction for the Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grants, however, the grant is primarily awarded to experienced artists who would like to expand their knowledge and skills by researching cultural artifacts at our partner museums.
Can I apply for a Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grant if I have received other scholarships and awards from the YVR Art Foundation?
Yes.
How many times can I receive a Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grant?
Artists are eligible to receive a maximum of two Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grants.
When can I apply for this grant?
All scholarship applications will open in August, with a deadline in late September (date to be announced). Watch this site for the announcement that applications are being accepted. Applications submitted at any other time will not be considered.
Can I apply to travel to one of the international partner museums if I don’t have a valid Canadian passport?
All international Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grant recipients must have a valid Canadian passport at the time of travel. If your passport application is already in process, please indicate this in your application.
Please Note: your Canadian passport must be no less than six months from expiring at the time of travel. Passports less than six months from expiring are not considered eligible for travel outside of Canada.
What type of artistic disciplines are eligible?
Artists working in the visual arts are eligible to apply for the Masterpiece Study Program Travel Grant. This includes artists working in mediums such as painting, carving, film and textiles. Dance and performance art are not currently eligible.
Can I submit a joint application with a group of artists?
Yes, you may submit an application jointly with other artists or with a collaborator, such as a curator. In your application clearly state why this collaboration is important to your research. If you submit an application including more than one person, your budget for the entire group must still be under the maximum allowable amount for one application.
When will my trip take place?
The grants are awarded in November and your trip must take place between January and June following the award date.
Note: Please also see the General section of our FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information on the submission process.
Portfolio Submissions - General
How should I fill out the portfolio description?
The most important part of your portfolio description is that the year, number, and title of each image included in the portfolio description should match the number and title you have saved your image under in the .zip file.
How should I name the image files in my portfolio?
You should name your files with a 2-digit number, reflecting its corresponding number in your portfolio description (01-10), and the title of the artwork. For example, use the following format: 02_TitleOfArtwork.jpg or 10_TitleOfArtwork.tif
How do I create a zipped file to upload and submit my files and images?
To create a compressed or "zipped" file follow these steps: For a PC, save all your files in one folder, right click on the folder and select the zip integration link. This might be "Add to Zip file" "Add to Archive" or "send to Compressed folder". Your compressed file will be saved in the folder you select. On a Mac computer, select the folder, right click, and select "Compress". The compressed file will be saved in the same folder.