Immigrants who have an application in process for permanent resident status are now eligible for funding from the New Brunswick Arts Board (artsnb).

The board of directors has voted in favour of increasing access to its funding programs to immigrants who were professional artists in their native country and have a Canadian permanent residency application in process.

This aligns with artsnb’s strategic plan that will run until 2027.

“The keystone principle of our Strategic Plan is to increase inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility at all levels at artsnb. By making this change to our eligibility criteria, we can better welcome and include a population that has been under-served in New Brunswick’s broader arts community,” said artsnb outgoing Chair Victoria Hutt.

“Increasing eligibility to access funding for the development of their art practice, especially during such a transitional period in the artist’s life, is one small change for artsnb that can have such a large impact for these artists.”

To be eligible for artsnb funding, an applicant must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, affiliated to a First Nation, permanent resident of Canada or have an application for permanent resident status in process;
• Have resided in New Brunswick for at least one year (12 months) prior to the application deadline;
• Qualify as a professional artist according to artsnb’s definition of a professional artist.

More details on how to apply can be found at artsnb.ca.