About the Fellowship
An endowment in Jini Stolk’s memory provides support for Toronto-based arts managers.
Arts managers are responsible for the administrative, financial, and overall health of organizations. They are passionate and committed to their work, but often have little opportunity to explore, think, develop their expertise and generate new ideas. The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship offers arts managers a chance to grow and join a collaborative network.
Overview
Nominations are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted.
Arts managers are responsible for the administrative, financial, and overall health of organizations. They are passionate and committed to their work, but often have little opportunity to explore, think, develop their expertise and generate new ideas. The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship offers arts managers a chance to grow and join a collaborative network.
The Fellowship provides $20,000 over two years ($10,000 annually).
The Fellowship is awarded annually.
Goals
support an arts manager who wishes to explore a new idea and/or develop their expertise.
encourage experimentation, such as building new frameworks, learning about complexities, and thinking about systems change.
build a network and support model: recipients/alumni will be encouraged to share ideas, resources and support each other’s work.
build a knowledge base. • enhance the arts sector.
Eligibility – who
The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship is open to arts managers at any career level (with at least two years of experience in the arts sector) who:
are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada living in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA);
work at an eligible Toronto-based arts organization* (postal code begins with an M); and
work at a small or mid-sized arts organization (operating budget less than $10 million).
*Eligible Toronto-based arts organizations must be:
a registered charity under the Income Tax Act; 2
an incorporated entity, with an elected board of directors holding annual general meetings;
in continuous operation for at least two years providing professional artistic programming, or supporting the creation, production or dissemination of artistic works by professional artists, or supporting the professional practice of artists (through professional development, career support, promotion of public awareness etc.); and
paying artists for their work.
Co-nominees are allowed but must both work for the same eligible Toronto-based arts organization, and submit one joint nomination package.
Restrictions:
Past recipients of The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship are not eligible.
No fellowships will be made posthumously.
Eligibility – what
Nominated proposals for The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship will aim to make improvements to the arts sector. Proposed activities can include, but are not limited to:
Research
Travel
Conference fees
Professional development
Internships
Areas of interest for exploration can include, but are not limited to:
Governance
The field of arts management
Organizational sustainability / sustainable practices / healthy organizations
New or adapted models of working / systems change / moving organizations forward
Navigating the complexities of your work
Co-leadership working models (for example, between artistic directors and executive managers)
Succession planning or phasing out an organization
Policy making
Advocacy
Nominations
Nominations should consist of:
A one-page nomination letter from either the Chair or President of the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director, or Executive Director of the nominee’s organization
A 250-word letter of intent written by the arts manager (the nominee). The letter of intent will include:
why the individual wants The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship,
its purpose,
and the impact they expect their work to have.
A budget that outlines the intended use of the funds.
Note: A minimum of 25% of the annual fellowship total ($2,500), must be used for expenses related to the submission request, and be itemized in a budget. The remaining 75% (up to $7,500 annually) can be allocated for personal use. A budget template can be found here.
A biography of the nominee or their CV.
Optional: additional support material that does not exceed one page or one website link.
Submit
Stay tuned for updates on the 2025 cycle.
Assessment
All nominations will be assessed by a jury made up of artists and arts professionals with direct experience working with small to mid-sized arts organizations in Toronto.
Nominations will be evaluated on how a nominee aims to make improvements to the arts sector as demonstrated by the:
relevance and viability of the nominee’s proposal; and
potential for impact in the field of arts management.
Final Report
At the conclusion of the Fellowship, recipients will be encouraged to share their learnings. How this is done will be identified by the recipient. Examples include:
Producing a report (made available for open sharing).
Speaking at a conference.
Organizing a sharing session with an organization or group of the recipients’ choice.
Contact
For questions about the Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship contact:
Sarah Gladki at jinistolkfellowship@gmail.com
Management and administration
The Ontario Arts Foundation manages The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship.
Established in 1991, the Ontario Arts Foundation (OAF) is passionately committed to building long-term support for the arts in Ontario. In 2023-24, the OAF paid out $4.6 million in endowment income and $500,000 in awards and grants.
The Fund
The Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship Fund has been made possible through the generous support of lead donors Sandra and Jim Pitblado and Tim and Frances Price, as well as many other individuals who loved Jini and want to honour her good work.
The amazing community that donated to the Fund ensures that Toronto-based arts managers will be supported for many years into the future.