Applications for our annual Geoff McMurchy Artist Development Grant are now open!

Geoff McMurchy (1955–2015), Kickstarts founding Artistic Director, was a pioneer in the local and international disability arts community. Anyone who knew him will tell you that he was an amazing Artist, and a trailblazer in the disability arts and culture community, who influenced a huge number of people.

Geoff’s dream was that disability art be considered on the same level as all art. “My interest is that the art that is presented should not be through the filter of ‘disability’; I would like it to be appreciated as art, and you don’t have to like it,” he once said.

Kickstart wants to keep Geoff’s voice and spirit alive, so in 2019 we created the Geoff McMurchy Artist Development Grant. The grant is given annually to a disabled Artist, residing in British Columbia, working in any media to support them directly with their artistic practice.

Eligibility

• Must be a resident of British Columbia
• Must be a practicing artist in any discipline
• Must identify as: mad, Deaf, disabled, crip, chronically ill, sick, etc (self-identification welcome)

If you have applied in the past, you'll notice there are some changes to the application process and the award, so we have created a 1hr info session to answer any questions that may arise.

This session will involve a short info sharing presentation from our Artistic Director Jenna Reid. A Q&A period will follow. 

Friday April 29th 12pm-1pm (pst) OR Saturday April 30th 12pm-1pm (pst) On ZOOM

Registration is mandatory - we ask you only attend ONE of the two sessions.