Cabin Fever Creative Expo - May 16, 2024 report

At the Ren Centre last night a small, but enthusiastic, group from the Elliot Lake Arts community attended the first planning meeting for the Cabin Fever Creative Expo.  The event will be held April 25 to 27, 2025 in various venues around town.
 
We heard that the deadline for submitting applications to participate must be in by June 25, 2024. "Not enough time," said a quilter.  Then we explained that one of the most important things ARIEL will be contributing is a search for grants and other source of funds.  Grant applications can't be written without program descriptions.  And...grant application deadlines are looming for a 2025 event. The pressure is on!

What must the submission contain?
An outline description of your programming that meets these criteria:

• Experiential
• Immersive
• Engaging
• Fun

A proposed outline budget should be included.  We don't need line items, but we do need categories.
The capacity of the venue you require is important.  For example, a workshop may only accommodate 30 people? How many times will you present the programming?  One time only? Twice?  Don't forget the duration of the programming. Oh yes, tell us the audience for whom you will be planning? Kids, Families, Adults, Teens? ARIEL is looking for affordable, inclusive and fun projects that showcase creativity.

What do we mean by creativity?
We are using it in the broadest sense.  Tying flies is a creative activity  A Fly Tying 101 would be a great idea.  Skating is a creative pursuit. Our model railroaders are a creative bunch! Are you a gear head? Detailing a vehicle is a creative activity. Cooking, now that is creative. Making home decor - arranging home decor - are creative endeavours, so is building...anything!

Of course our Expo will showcase the Arts community in town.  However, inclusivity is important to us, so we are encouraging everybody in town to consider how their passion employs creativity.  Gardeners? Your planting plant is a creative activity when you consider the colours you want to appear in your garden. Can you share that in an experiential and fun manner?

Already in the submission planning stage...
ELATE is developing a theatre based experience in which any Elliot Lake resident could participate. Kayt Burgess, in her capacity as writer-in-residence, will be developing a writing workshop. The Arts Club will operate its annual April craft fair as part of the event. 

Who may participate?
Members in good standing of ARIEL that have paid their 2024-25 dues of either $20 per individual or $25 per affiliate group. Join here. Membership is important, because, as a not-for-profit, we can only apply for funds on behalf of our members.  By the way, membership entitles you to vote at the annual general meeting in May of 2025.

A scaleable budget
When the submissions are closed, we will take all the parts and put them together - in  a creative manner (I couldn't resist ) - to build the event budget and programming.  The budget will be scaleable, because when you apply for grants you have to commit to delivering the program even if you aren't given the grant. So we start with our commitment budget, and make sure, once the grants arrive, we can scale up the project.

​Remember  the submission deadline for participation is June 25, 2024.