Make Some Noise: Hidden Stories of Black Creatives in Canada

The Make Some Noise: Hidden Stories of Black Creatives in Canada study aimed to understand Black creative’s lived experience in navigating structural barriers and gaining access to support needed to advance their creative practice in Canada. In total, 68 Black creatives were engaged in ten virtual research consultations for visual artists and designers, as well as performance-based artists across Canada. Twenty-two of the Black creatives also took part in two resource tool co-design sessions in January 2024.

The participants spoke about the importance of investing in Black communities and businesses for the survival of Black arts. This included investments in Black arts marketplaces, Black theatres, galleries and music venues and Black arts organizations that provide resources such as mentorship, grant writing workshops, networking and exhibition support and access to information to fill knowledge gaps. In addition to investments in Black infrastructure, participants told us that barrier free access to funding was needed that included reducing or eliminating fees for space rentals, studio bookings, exhibition venues, and applications for funding as well as flexible fees for arts memberships. Moreover, they suggested that creating greater access to affordable new art and production technologies.

They recommended increasing opportunities that were targeted to Black creatives to reduce competition for limited work. To overcome anti-Black racism, greater representation on arts boards, juries, and venues such as radio stations was needed to review and dismantle barriers to entry because non-Black led institutions are obligated to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates the richness of diversity within the arts community. The study provides the evidence for reforms needed to create an equitable landscape and create funding opportunities and other resources to support Black creatives. The study also investigated the feasibility of co-designing a “crowd-sourced” resource tool and map of Black creatives in Canada.

Final Research Report (PDF Download) 

Key Recommendations

● Increase Black representation at Canadian Heritage and other Canadian arts councils in leadership and decision-making positions to advance the needs of Black creatives.

● Implement policy & practice for equity and inclusion to recognize the unique needs of Black creatives.

● Provide infrastructure and long-term funding for Black creatives to create and maintain live/work, studio & performing arts spaces.

● Align organizational procedures with equity and inclusion, recognizing the unique needs of Black creatives.

● Expand Black arts grants for creative industries across Canada.

● Establish funding and networks for mentorship for Black creatives.

● Incentivize the development of Black-led creative hubs and Black cultural centres.

● Fund the development of Black theatres, galleries, and other venues to showcase the work of Black creatives.

● Expand information channels for sharing arts opportunities to Black and Black newcomer communities.

● Fund Black arts marketplaces & collectives showcasing the work of Black creatives.

● Develop continuing education/training opportunities to address knowledge gaps in areas such as grant writing, pricing, networking, financial planning, and business skills.

● Facilitate trans-regional connections/partnerships with Black creatives and arts organizations across Canada.

● Encourage funders (e.g., Canadian Heritage, provincial and municipal arts councils) to accept flexible submissions for grant applications.