Season One Applications
A 10–12 week season for a small cohort of artists ready to turn creativity into a sustainable living.
Like tomatoes, people are everywhere.
Like tomatoes, no two are exactly alike.
Every person carries different ideas, talents, experiences and possibilities.
But potential cannot grow in isolation.
It needs time, care, encouragement, resources, relationships and the right environment. The Ankaa Foundation creates that environment.
We help artists transform creativity into confidence, meaningful work, sustainable income, ownership and positive community impact.
Because when one person grows, their creativity can nourish many more.
Talent exists
everywhere.
Opportunity
does not.
Many artists have powerful ideas and extraordinary abilities, but lack access to the business knowledge, mentorship, relationships, resources and capital needed to build sustainable careers.
We do not believe artists should have to choose between meaningful creative work and financial stability.
Creativity can become
Season One is designed to help a small cohort of artists take that next step.
The Ankaa Growing Season is for artists and creative people who want to build a sustainable future from their work.
Open to artists aged 18 and over, based in Canada.
Or something
we don't have
a name for yet.
You may be beginning your journey, returning to your practice, or already established and entering a new chapter.
You do not need a completed business. You need a creative practice, an idea you believe in, and a genuine desire to build something meaningful from it.
A painter learns from a musician. A designer learns from a chef.
Different disciplines grow side by side, and each one makes the others stronger.
Every meaningful journey begins with a seed. You will identify what makes your creativity distinct and decide what you want to grow during the program.
A strong idea needs strong roots.
Flourishing means creating meaningful work while building the income, ownership and opportunities needed to continue growing.
Monetization does not mean compromising artistic integrity. It means understanding the value of creativity and building responsible ways for that value to support life, practice and future.
Every participant will test one practical income opportunity with a real audience.
A healthy plant does not keep everything it produces. It nourishes others and carries seeds for what can grow next.
Every participant will design a meaningful way to share their creativity, knowledge or success with the wider community.
At Ankaa, giving back is not an obligation added at the end. It is part of how we define meaningful growth.
Every artist selected for Season One receives a $5,000 Seed Grant to develop and test their creative business. It is a grant, not an investment: no equity, no rights to your work, nothing to pay back.
After the season ends, Ankaa Lab may offer some artists an investment of up to $25,000 in their creative business. This is a separate opportunity, offered by Ankaa Lab and not part of the Growing Season program. You are free to take it or leave it, and your decision has no effect on your place in the program or your Seed Grant.
The funding is designed to help each artist move from possibility to real-world action.
You bring
Where they overlap
What you will build
Ankaa brings
There is no participation fee for selected artists. Every Season One artist receives the $5,000 Seed Grant. Any investment from Ankaa Lab is offered separately, only after the season ends, on terms you are free to accept or decline. We encourage every artist to get independent advice before accepting any investment.
We are looking for artists who:
Formal education, awards, industry recognition and follower counts are not required.
We select for potential, commitment, openness, readiness and the strength of the creative ecosystem we can build together. Selection is based on your practice and commitment only. Interest in investment is never a factor.
Format
Creative development, entrepreneurship workshops, mentorship, working sessions and independent creation.
Outcome
One creative project, one tested monetization opportunity and one community contribution plan.
Submit your Season One application. Applications may be submitted in writing, audio or video.
Frequently asked questions
Not every tomato looks the same.
Every tomato still carries seeds.
We believe the same is true of people.
Your creativity has value.
With the right environment, it can become meaningful work, sustainable income, ownership and opportunity for others.
Let's grow
something that
can nourish
the world.