This grant is intended to encourage Advanced Actor-Combatants from marginalised groups in their pursuit of certification at the AFDC leadership levels of FI and FD, and to help mitigate the opportunity cost of giving up paid work to pursue FI or FD training hours. This grant consists of 2 payments of $2500 CAD each, awarded over a 2-year period. Beyond a short list of restrictions, it’s up to the recipient to decide how this grant would best facilitate their training.

These grants being made available to our AFDC members are part of a series sponsored by the principals of Rapier Wit, a stage combat studio in Toronto, Ontario founded by FDC Fight Master Daniel Levinson. AFDC has partnered with Daniel and his wife Kirsten Gundlack Levinson on this grant program as part of our shared desire to promote a healthy, vibrant, diverse, and truly inclusive stage combat community. The planned grant series will run for a minimum of 3 years, with minor adjustments being made to the grant allocations according to the changing needs of our membership.

Both AFDC and Rapier Wit are committed to an ongoing, dynamic effort to reduce barriers to this essential training and foster the progression of all our members. As we tentatively but joyfully move back towards in-person training, we recognize the wide-ranging effects the pandemic has had on our professional sector, and the subsequent financial impact on so many of our members. We also would like to offer particular encouragement at this time to members of groups which historically have been underrepresented in our organization and our discipline, especially at the leadership levels of fight instruction and direction. It’s our shared hope that our combined continuing efforts and initiatives such as this grant program will nourish an artist ecosystem that helps members from all backgrounds to grow and flourish at all levels of our organizations.

Beyond a short list of restrictions, it’s up to the recipient to decide how this grant would best facilitate their training. Examples of this might include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Supplementing the transportation expense of traveling to/from schools, theatres, etc.
• Supplementing living expenses for periods of time when the candidate can’t work because they’re training, assisting, teaching, directing, or otherwise working on projects or classes as part of their FI/FD candidacy
• Supplementing travel to an FDC Nationals for journeying, or to work with an FD or FI outside the candidate’s region
• Funding participation in classes or workshops that promote key skills for the FI/FD candidate, to address gaps in training and/or experience that are impeding the candidate’s progress
• Supplementing babysitting, after-school care, eldercare, or similar expenses that can affect the candidate’s ability to commit to training opportunities such as assisting on shows or classes

While we recognize that each candidate’s needs are unique and want to avoid undue restrictions on the use of these grants, they are not intended for the following purposes:

• To pay mentors
• To fund shows or other artistic projects
• To fund any type of marketing or promotion
• For candidates with arts businesses, to fund business expenses
• To expand a personal armoury (beyond the purchase, repair, or replacement of essential items)

The candidate does not have to receive pre-approval from anyone for prospective expenses. However, we appreciate the candidate keeping records of how the funds were used, as this information will help FDC understand how best to position our future funding for similar opportunities.

Grant Eligibility

• Preference will be given to Canadian citizens, or permanent residents.
• Candidates are members of marginalised groups (ex. BIPOC, 2SLGBTQI+) which historically have been underrepresented and/or are not proportionally represented at leadership levels (FI and above) at FDC.
• Candidates must have up-to-date certifications in all AFDC Actor-Combatant training levels, and be full FDC members in good standing.
• Candidates must be at least 1 year into their official FI candidacy, with an FDC mentor. Beyond that, they may be at any point pre-FI or FD certification.
• Candidates are required to submit a completed application per the “What to Submit” list.
• Candidates should show clear commitment to the pursuit of their certification through active work and study, and are supported in their application by their mentor.
• Through their professional practices and interactions to date, candidates should demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to the principles of the FDC Instructor Code of Ethics.

Grants will not be awarded more than once to the same recipient. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated commitment to their artistic practice, especially those whose progress has been limited by external factors such as financial need or lack of opportunity. (And yes, we do recognize that the pandemic has limited opportunities for many people, and will take this into account.) If their first application is not successful, applicants may reapply in subsequent years if the grant is still being offered.
Grants will not be awarded more than once to the same recipient. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated commitment to their artistic practice, especially those whose progress has been limited by external factors such as financial need or lack of opportunity. (And yes, we do recognize that the pandemic has limited opportunities for many people, and will take this into account.) If their first application is not successful, applicants may reapply in subsequent years if the grant is still being offered.

How to Apply

Please prepare a package that includes the following:

1. Application Form
Download Here

2. Artistic Resume
A headshot or other picture of yourself is not required, but if you’d like to include one please feel free to do so.

3. Letters of Reference
1 letter of support from one artistic mentor and/or established member outside of the stage combat artistic community and 1 letter of support from an AFDC instructor and or mentor; you may include other letters of reference to a maximum of 3.

4. Questions About You and Your Perspective
Please use the following questions to tell us about yourself, your artistic history, your perspectives on this work, and your plans for the future. You can do this in writing (paragraphs or point form), or by recording/filming your spoken answers - whichever helps you express yourself better. (500 - 1000 words or no more than 5 mins of video)

• Please tell us about yourself, your relationship with stage combat, your current work, and your goals.
• Please tell us something about your perspective on teaching/fight directing – whatever you’d like to share about any guiding principles, philosophies, mandates, driving questions, areas of specialisation etc. that inform your practice or your goals.
• Please tell us about your unique strengths, traits, and/or experiences that you feel are assets to your work and your artistic community.
• What contributions would you especially like to make to this field, or a related one?
• In what ways could you see yourself making use of this grant?
• What other support from the FDC community might be helpful to you on your journey?
• Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

How to Submit

Submissions will be accepted via email until 11:59pm on Oct 31. Please send your application package to AFDC’s Executive Advisor Jackie T. Hanlin at advisor@fdc.ca, with the subject line AFDC Leadership-Level Training Grant.

File Formats
Documents: PDF
Images: JPG
Video: unlisted YouTube link

Follow-Up Report

The recipients do not have to receive pre-approval from anyone for prospective expenses. However, within three months following completion of use of the grant, recipients will provide a record on how the funds were used (with receipts) as this information will help FDC understand how best to position our future funding for similar opportunities.

The recipients will also have the opportunity to have a follow up meeting with the donors, Daniel Levinson and Kirsten Gundlack Levinson of Rapier Wit, and the President of the Board of Directors of AFDC, Nathania Bernabe, to discuss the recipient's experience.

If you have any questions about this grant or the application process, please direct them to AFDC Actor/Combatant Representative MIchelle Lewis at combatantrep@fdc.ca.

Thank you for your interest!

The Sandra and Jacie Levinson Memorial Awards are granted to those FDC members who understand the precious gifts of family and community.  Sandra and Jacie Levinson were lifetime patrons of the arts and were instrumental in helping create our present stage combat community through their emotional and financial support  for Rapier Wit and Fight Directors Canada.  For those who knew Sandra and Jacie will easily recognize their legacy of there always being another place at the dinner table, a bed to sleep in, and an opportunity for artists who needed a hand up. For the last twenty six years Daniel and Kirsten had their guidance in striving day by day to make the world a better place. Now with their leaving us we wish to continue to make real their daily example and pay it forward in their name.

The Sandra Levinson Memorial Award
$360 training bursary to be paid towards any AFDC certification course, donated by Rapier Wit Studios

The Jacie Levinson Memorial Award
A 25% discount off any FDC-run training event (note: does not apply to independently run certification courses).

TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

1) A member in good standing can send the persons name and a short written reason why that person deserves the acknowledgement and award. Use the criteria above to address their strengths.

2) Forward the nominations for for the Sandra and Jacie Levinson Memorial Awards to daniel@rapierwit.com.

The nominations for the Sandra and Jacie Levinson Memorial Awards will be considered by Steve, Michael, Daniel and Kirsten Levinson.

At the 2017 Nationals, it was announced that FDC has created the Gelineau Award in honour of FM Paul Gelineau.

This award is given to a member who has demonstrated leadership in humanitarian efforts outside of the fight community. Dedication in the areas of volunteerism, healing, community building, conflict resolution, health and wellness, as well as leadership in social issues are all be reasons to be considered.

Any member can nominate another member, and the recipient is chosen by Paul. Each recipient will then become part of the committee that chooses subsequent winners.

Thus, we will be creating a group of mentors that our members can learn from and be inspired by.
There is no cash value, it is simply an award of recognition.

It is important that we bring the generosity, kindness and care we show one another out into the world, as Paul has chosen to do.

TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

1) A member in good standing can send the persons name and a short written reason why that person deserves the acknowledgement and award. Use the criteria above to address their strengths.

2) Forward the nominations for  the Gelineau Award to membershipadmin@fdc.ca.

Nominations for the Gelineau award will be considered by Paul Gelineau in conjunction with past recipients.

 2022 Fournier Fellowship Award
This annual award allows one person to receive a  $1000 voucher to use towards any AFDC training event.
The Academy of FDC, as an organization of professional practitioners believes that certain interpersonal qualities and attributes are equal in value to the ability to simply be an excellent fight practitioners.
This award is intended to celebrate these important qualities and is for members in training at the Intermediate level or above.

FOURNIER Fellowship Criteria

The nominee should be:
1) A generous member who gives back to his or her community selflessly by volunteering their skills and time to those in need of help (in the salle or not)
2) A member who demonstrates the highest level of proficiency while fighting but approached all situations with humility and an openness to learn more.
3) A member who has a positive professional reputation as a director, and/or actor, and/or choreographer/fighter and shows leadership skills.
4) A member you see as a future leader in the Academy and the professional Association.
5) A member who has given back to FDC in their community.

TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

1) A member in good standing can send the persons name and a short written reason why that person deserves the acknowledgement and award. Use the criteria above to address their strengths.

2) Forward the nominations for  the Fournier Fellowship to membershipadmin@fdc.ca.

Nominations for the Fournier Fellowship will be considered by the College of FMs and confirmed by the Board.