Internships
The Foundation will support the creation of internship opportunities for administrators, choreographers, composers, conductors, designers, directors, playwrights, and production staff. In this program, the Foundation is particularly interested in assisting individuals who have completed formal training and are in the early stages of their careers.
Through this program, organizations can create productive entry points into the sector. We hope they will also realize opportunities to foster leadership, address transitions within organizations, and respond to skill shortages in critical areas. Individuals who have completed internships should have more knowledge, better skills, broader work experience, and useful contacts – all of which will help them make a stronger professional contribution to the performing arts.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Professional theatre, dance, music, and opera organizations in the province of Ontario, which have been in operation for at least three years and have charitable status, are eligible to apply. Organizations may apply individually or in partnership with others.
An application can only be submitted by a charitable organization, but interns must be identified in the application. The Foundation wants to understand why the individual you have chosen to train is deserving of this opportunity, and how your organization can help them to meet their professional development goals.
What are the Funding Parameters?
Grants will be made for the intern’s salaries and statutory benefits, to a maximum of $27,500 for a full-time, twelve-month internship; that amount is pro-rated accordingly for internships that are part-time or of shorter duration.
Please note the following restrictions.
- Internships must be a minimum of eight weeks in duration.
- Internships must take place in the province of Ontario.
- Funds granted from this program may only be used for intern’s salary and statutory benefits (CPP and EI costs). No other costs, including mentoring costs or fees, external professional development, or administrative overhead, are eligible for this grant.
- Co-op work terms are not eligible for funding.
What is the Application Process?
The Foundation will review internship applications twice annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Performing Arts Program Director in advance to discuss their proposals.
Applications must not exceed six pages and should include:
- the mandate of the applicant organization;
- a description of the internship proposed;
- a training plan for the position, including any opportunities being provided outside the organization;
- a description of the work experience offered;
- a brief bio of the mentor(s), trainer(s), and/or supervisor(s) for the position;
- a brief bio of the intern;
- a statement from the intern which explains their professional development goals and why they wish to train with the organization;
- a statement from the mentor which indicates why this specific intern has been selected, why they believe the internship would be a valuable training opportunity, and the possible effects of the internship for the individual or for the sector; and
- the measures that the company and intern will use to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the placement.
In addition, applicants must attach:
- a copy of the intern’s résumé;
- the Metcalf application cover page (PDF)
- a budget for the proposal which indicates any financial or in-kind contribution from the organization;
- the organization’s current operating budget; and
- the organization’s most recent audited financial statements.
Please provide one paper copy of the application and proposal/operating budgets (all printed double-sided) and submit an electronic version of this material in Word and/or Excel to mjones@metcalffoundation.com. The intern’s résumé, the Metcalf cover page, and the audited statements need need not be submitted electronically.
How Will an Application be Assessed?
Applications will be reviewed by the Foundation's Board and staff, assisted by an advisory panel from the arts community. The Foundation will look favourably on those proposals where intern and organization are well-matched, where there is demonstrated commitment to meaningful career development for interns, and where external professional development opportunities complement the work experience.
Reviewers will want to understand how this investment will make a tangible difference for the intern and the professional development needs of the discipline.
Funding decisions will be made by the Board of the Foundation, and such decisions are final. In 2009, the Foundation will support internships which will be completed by December 31, 2010.
How Will We Learn From Our Work?
Successful applicants will provide an interim report (for any project longer than four months) and a final report to the Foundation. These reports, which must include input from both the mentor and the intern, should address such topics as tasks that the intern has undertaken, any changes that have occurred in the workplan, and how the experience is responding to the intern’s learning goals. In addition, the final report should include information, if it is known, about the intern’s future career plans.
Two group meetings of the interns are arranged each year, so that their experience and insight can be shared with each other and with the Foundation.
The Foundation reserves the right to review its ongoing commitments if circumstances arise which indicate the internship is unlikely to be successful. These circumstances could include failure to undertake activities or to meet goals as described in the proposal; the departure of the mentor or the intern; an organization’s charitable registration or incorporation being suspended, revoked, or annulled; or severe financial difficulties within an organization.
You can read more about the Foundation’s approach to evaluation in the How We Learn.
Deadlines
Please see Deadlines.
Performing Arts Program >
Strategic Initiatives Guidelines >
Professional Development Guidelines >
Application Deadlines >
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Grants Awarded >
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