Indigenous Arts Program

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This program is supported by Native Earth Performing Arts and NAC Indigenous Theatre.

Applications for this program are now closed

About

The 25/26 Indigenous Arts Program is a two-year program for emerging Indigenous performing artists of any discipline looking for personalized and flexible training. Two artists who are emerging in their craft are offered space to gather with other Indigenous creatives to develop skills and grow their artistic practice. Mentors and guest artists help connect artists with the community and the Indigenous arts scene in Tkaronto and beyond (including Paprika partner companies, Native Earth Performing Arts and National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre).

In year one, artists will receive mentorship and a small budget to begin exploring their original piece of performed art (could be theatre, dance, music, poetry, performance art…anything!) culminating in a work-in-progress sharing at the 2026 Paprika Festival. This could look like a conversation, workshop, or sharing pieces in progress.

In year two, artists will be invited to return to fully stage their project, receiving an additional budget to hire collaborators and bring their vision to life alongside mentors and peers. Year two will culminate with each artist receiving a public sharing of up to 60 minutes in length as part of the 2027 Paprika Festival.

For the first time, we are excited to open this call up to Indigenous artists from outside of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). Year 1 can be completed entirely online. Once accepted, artists from out of town should begin to arrange travel and accommodation to participate in in-person programming in April / May 2027. Paprika can provide assistance via letters of support and suggesting funding opportunities.

Brefny Caribou

Facilitator

Brefny Caribou is a performer, writer, and educator of Cree/Irish-settler descent based in Tkaronto. Holding an MFA in Acting from York University she loves telling Indigenous stories and making people giggle. She has worked across Turtle Island on productions of The Tempest (Theatre Rusticle), Otîhêw (Shakespeare in Action), and completed 3 seasons at the Stratford Festival in Little Women (Beth March), and The Rez Sisters (Zhaboonigan Peterson). Most recently she played Susan Blackbird in the Canadian Stage/Belfry production of 1939. Brefny has worked as an Acting Tutorial teacher at Sheridan College since 2019 and is entering her 3rd year facilitating the Indigenous Arts Program at the Paprika Festival. Her writing has been featured in many festivals including Groundswell (Nightwood Theatre), Brave New Works (Theatre Aquarius) and the Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival (NEPA).

Commitment

Approximate time commitment for IAP Year 1: Approximately 2 hours per month in group sessions, with an additional 18 hours total spent in Training Days. Some additional time spent outside of program sessions independently researching and working on your project.

You will have the option to return to Paprika in the 2026/27 season for IAP Year 2, which will have a larger commitment and resources provided to you, as you work towards a full showcase in the 2027 Paprika Festival.

Support You Receive

Eligibility

The Indigenous Arts Program program is open to Indigenous emerging artists who are 18+. There is no age limit to apply! Artists must be eligible to work in Canada.

This program was designed for artists under 30, however, we recognize that emerging artists can be any age. We invite folks over 30 who are new to their craft to apply.

We highly encourage and will prioritize applicants who are from equity-seeking groups — including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Non-binary, Queer, Fat, Disabled, Mad, Neurodivergent, low income, and intersections of those identities.  We will also be prioritizing applicants who have not received formal training in the program’s main discipline.

Location

📍 Online, with optional opportunities to gather in-person in Toronto

Health and Safety

The health and safety of artists, facilitators, and staff is our greatest priority. We encourage all Paprika artists, staff, facilitators and guest artists to maintain regular vaccinations, including additional doses/boosters. Masking will be required for all full-company meetings, and during group sessions, masking will be discussed and decided upon by each program. Paprika will continue to provide KN95 or N95 face masks (or equivalent) upon request. Masking will be required throughout Paprika’s tech week in May 2026.

Accessibility

Paprika seeks to lower barriers for all its programs. This year, we are offering transportation support when requested, food and snacks at program events, as well as a $1,750 artist honorarium.

Company-wide Training Days take place in venues accessible to folks using mobility devices, with some venues requiring assistance to use the elevator. The Paprika Festival tech and performances will take place at Native Earth Performing Arts’ Aki Studio, which is fully physically accessible for artists and audiences.

Paprika advocates for gender inclusive washrooms, and will negotiate for gender inclusive washroom signage whenever possible. We use and respect people’s pronouns. Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2SIA+, Women, Trans, Non-Binary, Newcomer, Immigrant, Fat, Mad, and Neurodiverse people are welcome.

Internet access and a smartphone, tablet, and/or computer are required for participation in Paprika’s programs. Our programs are not accessible to Deaf or Blind artists at this time. Group meetings can be recorded and shared internally to accommodate schedule conflicts and emergencies with prior notice to program facilitators and Paprika staff.

For questions and comments about Paprika’s accessibility plan, please reach out to Amanda at amanda@paprikafestival.com.

Application support

We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about Paprika programs and answered them here!

We’re happy to arrange an application process that’s best for you. If you have any questions, require additional support or an extension, please email Amanda (amanda@paprikafestival.com). We will try our best to respond to emails within 48 hours.

Click here to view the application questions in a seperate document. Note that this is not the application form, but a way to preview the questions!

Applications for this program are now closed