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Seventeen artists apply to GN's public art initiative

Seventeen Nunavummiut artists applied to take part in the territorial government's $150,000 Nunavut Public Art Initiative, Economic Development Minister David Akeeagok said in the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

The program, targeted at supporting artists to create public artwork in their community, will award funding of $5,000 to $50,000 per project. Mentorship is encouraged.

Large-scale outdoor carvings; a mural outside or inside a building; temporary projects made specifically for one place, such as sound-walks in communities; videography; and various crafts are examples Akeeagok gave of the potential additions that residents will see in their communities.

"I would like to thank all artists in our territory for bringing entertainment, inspiration, hope and joy to Nunavummiut, in a time when we particularly need it," the minister said, referring to the pandemic period, which has resulted in a loss of income for many artists.

Akeeagok also announced changes to the Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program. To support a larger volume of smaller at-home projects, the Department of Economic Development has removed the funding cap on materials and supplies.

To support smaller projects, application deadlines have been changed from fixed dates to being open year-round.