A program of Afri-North Economic Development Initiative

Where BIPOC artists
build a career,
not just a portfolio.

The Afri-North Creative Incubator (ACI) identifies, develops, and supports the careers of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour artists across Northern Manitoba — through funding access, mentorship, performance platforms, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Founded on a simple belief.

ACI is a program of the Afri-North Economic Development Initiative, founded and incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act in 2026.

Our Mission

To identify, develop, and support the careers of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour artists in Northern Manitoba — through professional development, grant access, performance platforms, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Our Vision

A Northern Manitoba where every BIPOC artist — regardless of cultural background or geography — has equal access to the tools and support needed to build a sustainable creative career.

Four pillars, one practice.

Every ACI member builds across some combination of these four areas, depending on their craft and their goals.
I

Studio & Stage

Rehearsal time, recording support, and live performance platforms for musicians, actors, and performing artists.

II

Craft & Design

Space and mentorship for visual artists, makers, and designers working across traditional and contemporary craft.

III

Story & Media

Support for writers, filmmakers, and media artists telling Indigenous, African, and diaspora stories from the North.

IV

Business Skills

The unglamorous half of a creative career — budgeting, contracts, grant writing, and building a sustainable practice.

Are you an artist or creative

Wondering how to get started?

  • Launch your career in Northern Manitoba
  • Find showcase platforms
  • Access learning opportunities
Or looking for support?

We can help with that too.

  • Access funding opportunities
  • Find a community
  • Simply, start

What we offer

Four concrete kinds of support, built around where artists actually get stuck.

Grant writing

Application support for FACTOR, the Manitoba Arts Council, MFM, and CCA.

Development

Ongoing workshops and one-on-one mentorship from working artists and industry professionals.

Performance

Real stages and platforms to showcase work in front of a live Northern Manitoba audience.

Collaboration

Structured space for Indigenous and African diaspora artists to create together.

From our founder

A short word on why ACI exists.
Founder's note — placeholder This is a placeholder for the founder's dream statement. Drop in your finished copy here (a short first-person paragraph on why ACI was started) and I'll style it to match — this box is intentionally marked so it's easy to find and replace.

Ready to build your practice with us?

Registration is open to BIPOC artists and creatives across Northern Manitoba.