Applicants who are Deaf, have a disability or who are living with mental illness, as well as Deaf and disability art groups and organizations can be eligible to apply for additional funding. These funds provide a contribution towards costs for specific services and supports required to complete a project funded through a Manitoba Arts Council (MAC) program.
Access Support responds to the financial disadvantages that many Deaf or disabled artists routinely experience in creating, producing and disseminating art. Funds are available as a supplement to an awarded grant and provided to recipients who identify specific disability-related supports that are needed to carry out their proposed activities. The supplement may not cover all of these costs but may be a contribution towards these types of expenses. Access support must be linked directly to the project activities; it does not fund dailiy living expenses.
Who can receive Access Support for Project Completion?
An individual applicant who:
- self-identifies as Deaf, living with a disabilities, or mental illness, and
- has been awarded a grant through any MAC program
A group or an organization that:
- identifies as a Deaf and disability arts group or organization through the portal and has been validated as such by MAC staff, and
- has been awarded a grant through any MAC program
Eligible and ineligible expenses
Eligible expenses include:
- sign language interpreters
- personal attendants
- support workers, guides, readers
- transcription services
- rental of accessible van or specialized equipment
Ineligible expenses include:
- major capital expenses (e.g. purchase of wheelchair, vehicle, computer, renovations, etc.)
- supports for which an applicant is already receiving funding
- supports not directly tied to the activities supported by the grant
Examples
The following examples reflect the range and nature of associated costs of Access Support requests. Requests should be logical in context of the scope of the funded activities.
- A Deaf arts organization requests $1,500 to engage sign language interpretation in order to work with a consultant to explore new operating models.
- A dance artist receives a travel grant to present at an international conference and requests Access Support for $300 to cover the costs of accessible accommodation and transportation.
- The lead applicant of a group receives a grant to create a new work and requests $1000 for a studio assistant to help lift and manipulate art works.
How do I request Access Support?
- check your eligibility to apply to a Manitoba Arts Council program
- complete the Access Support Request Form *below* when you apply for a grant
- submit the Access Support Request form by the same deadline as program you are applying to.
How will my request be assessed?
- Applications will be assessed through an internal process at MAC and if necessary with the assistance of outside peer assessors.
The amount of the Access Support is determined according to the information below:
Standard rates for disability specific services and supports can vary depending upon the region and type of support. The following is used as a general guide.
- Attendant Services/Support Worker -$15-30/hr; $120-250 daily rate (travel costs are covered by MAC, per diems are not covered by MAC)
- Sign Language Interpretation- ASL: $50/hr; Daily Rate: LSQ: $70/hr; Daily Rate: (travel costs are covered by MAC, per diems are not covered by MAC)
- Transcription Services/readers – $40-60/hr
What are the final steps?
- you will be informed of the provision and amount of Access Support in a letter of notification about the successful grant
- Access Support will be paid concurrently with the grant in accordance with any applicable conditions outlined in the letter of notification
Deadline and Grant Amount
Submit your Access Support Request Form by the same deadline as program you are applying to. The amount of the Access Support is determined by MAC staff. A grant recipient may request up to a maximum of $ 1,000 per grant.
