One Planet, Countless Wor(l)ds

“One Planet, Countless Wor(l)ds” is an initiative developed by the Quebec Writers’ Federation and le Conseil des Arts de Montréal (CAM) in partnership with the cities in the West Island of Montreal.

The initiative will consist of two literary co-creation projects, each delivered by a writer or a literary artist. Each project will last approximately eight weeks (taking place sometime between April and September 2024) and be delivered twice at two different libraries or community spaces on the West Island. 

Theme

How do we find unity in diversity? How can our differences help us come together? The members of our communities are of different ages and genders, speak different languages, hail from different places, and call different lands home. These qualities can differentiate us, but they can also bring us together. We all live on one planet, and yet the worlds we inhabit are manifold.  

Writers are invited to explore the theme of “One Planet, Countless Wor(l)ds” by investigating these ideas or by examining related subjects such as the planet, space, the environment, and/or diversity. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Professional writers or professional literary artists who meet one of the following criteria: 

• have published at least 40 pages of fiction, poetry, or non-fiction (including journalism) 
• have professionally produced at least 30 minutes of radio, film, television, theatre or multi-media 
• have presented at least one full-length solo show or have had at least 3 professionally paid bookings 

What are the program’s objectives?

This program is designed to: 

• support a writer or literary artist in developing their artistic practice  
• engage local communities in artistic co-creation 
• provide locations and resources for the creation and final presentation of artistic projects 

What assistance is provided?

Each selected writer or literary artist will: 

• receive payment in the form of an $11,000 grant paid by QWF—this must cover travel expenses and the cost of materials they may need to complete their project 
• be provided a venue and participants with whom to develop and deliver the project 
• be invited to a presentation of the completed projects in the fall of 2024 
• receive a one-year QWF membership or one-year extension of their current QWF membership 

How long does the support last?

This is a one-time, non-recurring grant. 

What types of projects are eligible?

Writers and literary artists are invited to submit a proposal for a literary project of their choice. All literary genres, forms, and styles are welcome, but the project must be a work of “co-creation” involving the public.  

The project proposal should demonstrate that the project will:

• support the writer or artist in the development of their artistic practice 
• engage the public in a project of “co-creation” 

Projects may involve the public in general or a specific demographic, such as seniors, children or young adults. 

What is “co-creation”?

By “co-creation,” we mean an artistic process that involves the public at the conception or production stages of the work. The artistic works created are the result of a collaboration between the artist and the public. This allows local residents to experience the creative process with the artist. 

Proposed projects can take different forms, such as a series of workshops, a residency, a performance, or an anthologized collection of writing and styles (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, storytelling, slam, comics, etc.). 

Examples of literary co-creation projects include: 

• a staged performance of an original work of literature, such as a play 
• a poetry workshop series that culminates in an original work of found poetry based on participants’ work 
• a written adaption of oral stories from members of a community as part of a writing residency 

We welcome creative, original ideas about what a “co-creation” project may entail. Let your imagination take flight! 

What are the general eligibility criteria?

For individual artists: 

• have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status 
• reside on the Island of Montréal 
• be recognized as a professional artist 
• have produced at least one artistic work presented in a professional context. 

Are there any special eligibility conditions?

• Be fluent in English and functional in French 

While the activities will be delivered in English; some French may be required to communicate with francophone participants. 

When must the project be carried out?

• Co-creation projects must be carried out between April and September 2024 
• A final presentation of all projects will take place in the early fall of 2024 

How many applications will be approved?

Two projects by different writers or literary artists will be selected by an independent evaluation committee. Each project will be delivered at two different locations. 

Who is ineligible to apply?

Applicants 

• Collectives and organizations 
• Alliances, associations, service organizations or artist agents
• Individual artists who do not meet the general and specific eligibility criteria 

Projects  

• Works that have already been or are ready to be created, produced and staged. 
• Projects completed before receiving the QWF’s decision (allow for six weeks following the submission deadline) 

Applications 

• Incomplete applications  
• Applications received after the submission deadline 

The evaluation committee will automatically reject ineligible applications.

Can specific populations receive additional financial support to submit their application or complete their project (accessibility costs)?

Yes. Accessibility costs refer to costs that certain individuals, particularly those who are D/deaf and/or living with a disability, must pay to take advantage, in the same way as others do, of the services and programs offered by an institution for research, to create, produce or disseminate their art. Reimbursement of part of these costs by the Conseil des arts de Montréal may offset the financial disadvantage.

The Support Fund for Accessibility Costs is a financial assistance measure that complements the Conseil’s other programs. The deadline to apply for support for accessibility costs is the same as that for the program being applied to.

Artists, collectives or organizations that have obtained financial assistance from the Conseil to carry out a project can also file an application for accessibility cost support up to three months after the decisions related to the successful project have been sent out, provided the project is not completed before the deadline to send out decisions for accessibility cost support applications.

Support is divided into three components:

• component 1 – Financial support to submit a grant application or to apply for one of the Conseil’s initiatives
• component 2 – Financial support for accessibility costs for a project funded by the Conseil
• component 3 – Financial support for presenter organizations for accessibility costs to welcome audiences for a project funded by the Conseil

For more details, please see this additional information on the Support Fund.

How do I apply?

Please use Submittable to submit your application.

Can I submit more than one application in the same year?

Applicants may only submit one application.

What information and documents must I include in my application?

• Brief bio (maximum of two pages)
• A presentation of the project (maximum of one page)
• The artistic approach (maximum of one page)
• A budget, including travel and materials, if relevant

How are applications evaluated?

Project evaluation and selection will be undertaken by a three-person evaluation committee of professionals culturally representative of the English-language writing arts community and an observer from the Conseil des Arts de Montréal. 

What are the evaluation criteria?

The evaluation committee will take into account the program objectives and the following criteria: 

Artistic quality 50% 

• Artistic quality of the project 
• Quality of artist’s past projects 
• Originality of the project 

Capacity for co-creation 20% 

• Appeal and accessibility of the co-creation project 
• Quality of support activities offered to citizens in the creative process 
• Ability of the project to forge ties with the community 

Contribution to development of the writer’s or artist’s own practice 20% 

• Exploration of new dimensions of the artist’s craft 

Project management and financial stability 10% 

• Feasibility of the project and soundness of the proposal 
• Ability of the artist to complete the project 

How will I be informed of the decision?

Decisions will be emailed to applicants by QWF.  

What is the response time?

It will take up to six (6) weeks from the submission deadline for the evaluation committee to process the applications and reach a decision. 

Can I appeal the decision?

The Conseil’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. However, Conseil staff are available to answer any questions regarding the decisions rendered. Equity, ethics and proximity are an integral part of our values, and listening and empathy will always be a priority in our customer relations. As part of our efforts to improve the way we operate, we now provide a feedback form, which you can access here. 

Artists, collectives or organizations who wish to share their concerns about the management or evaluation of their application, or about the decision rendered, agree to refrain from communicating directly with members of the evaluation committee or the Conseil’s Board of Directors.  

How will the grant be paid?

The Conseil’s grant will be paid through the Quebec Writers’ Federation at the beginning of the project. Artists are responsible for determining how the grant will impact their income taxes.

Commitments

For the artist, collective or organization, accepting payment of the grant constitutes an undertaking to complete the activities covered by the grant and to comply with the accompanying conditions, which will be communicated upon selection of the application.

The artist agrees to:  

• carry out the proposed project as planned 
• notify the QWF as soon as possible if unable to carry out the project in the period for which the grant was awarded. In such cases, the grant recipient may be obliged to reimburse some or all of the amount awarded 
• if requested, submit activity reports and financial statements at the required times 
• if applicable, include in the report photographs, videos or any other relevant, royalty-free visuals that the Conseil may use for promotional or archival purposes 
• attend the presentation at the end of the project