The Art-Laws

"The Art-Laws", 3 grants (fellowships for artists)

The deployment of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) systems technologies across all sectors presents both creative opportunities and risks for artists and cultural workers. As most studies predict that these technologies present more risks to women's safety and economic rights, this project aims to investigate the impact of generative AI on the arts and cultural sector from an intersectional feminist perspective.

AIIA is therefore pleased to announce a unique fellowship opportunity for Canadian artists to explore the ethical, legal and economic implications of GenAI and contribute to the direction of generative AI governance.

Three (3) grants of $5,000 will be awarded to support artists’ explorations and creative projects over a six-month period.

For whom, for what?

We welcome emerging, mid-career and established artists:

• Storytellers (word, prose, poetry, fiction, multidisciplinary, film, etc.)

• Dance, performance and movement artists

• Musicians and composers

• Visual and digital artists

Selected artists will explore issues such as, but not limited to:

• Transparency, accountability and the ethical and social implications of generative AI when used in the art and culture sector.

• Integration of generative AI to support the work of artists and cultural workers, and further explorations of the effects on individual and collective artistic practices.

• Countering gender, racial and other biases in AI systems, intersection of generative AI with social justice, reconciliation with indigenous communities, or expressions on AI, decolonization and AI's potential for extractivism.

• Feminist principles in cultural policies related to AI and generative AI, with or without a focus on implications for non-binary and two-spirited people.

• Intellectual property rights for AI-generated artworks and/or, more broadly, protection of the economic and moral rights of cultural professionals and profit distribution mechanisms via innovative models.

• Effects on traditional art markets and new business models (trusts or other collaborative data models).

• Exploration of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and data trusts for artists.

• Intersectional analysis of the impacts of generative AI on various demographic groups.

What's unique about the "The Art-Laws" grants?

• By and for the arts and cultural sector: the program and design of the platform are centered around the artistic community, according to the needs of artists and arts service organizations.

• Transdisciplinary approach: opportunity to learn by creating and to reflect with other artists, fostering a multidimensional dialogue between research, creation and legislation.

• Intersectional and gender-sensitive perspective: balance between technological innovation and social justice.

• Social impact: actively engages in public policy development related to AI in the arts in support of the arts and culture sector, and protects a democratic and independent process from the influence of Big Tech.

What do Art-Laws grantees do?

• You'll participate in bi-monthly meetings and three workshops where an international panel of experts in AI, law, data and more will answer your questions. Your questions guide the design of the programming.

• Your work will be shared at the annual conference with a vast international network (experts, decision-makers, etc.).

• You'll be part of an international network of experts in AI, law, data, economics and more who are in solidarity with artists and cultural workers.

• You will participate in policy discussions and the development of best practices (exploring certification models and/or guidelines) for the responsible use of generative AI led by the arts and culture sector.

Eligibility

• No experience in AI or digital art is necessary, but applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in learning and participating in discussions about the ethical, social or environmental implications of AI.

• Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged.

• We encourage applications from artists representing the broadest possible range of perspectives and backgrounds.

• Teams are accepted, although one person must be an artist with professional status, and the amount of the grant remains the same regardless of the number of people in the team.

• Grants are reserved for artists residing and practicing in Canada. We are able to read only in French and in English.

Selection criteria

• Relevance and quality: Your project or previous work samples demonstrate relevance to the objectives of the call and peer-reviewed artistic quality. They are presented and documented in a professional manner. Consult our list of best practices here.

• Feasibility: The work plan demonstrates how the project relates to the concepts of the residency grant and is achievable within the allotted time and budget.

• Clarity: The expected outcome of your project is clear. Even if it's an exploration, we need to understand what you'll present at the end of the project. Is it a series of interviews with a written report, a play (part of), commented visual art or music?

Eligible expenses

You can use your funds for your own artist fees or material however keep in mind you will be taking part in approximately 25 hours of active workshop participation on issues described above. Therefore it is important to include that in your budget.

Application process

Submit the following documents before the deadline.

1. Project proposal: detailed description including the implications of generative AI to be explored, the questions to be investigated and the solutions to be explored (1-2 pages maximum). The work plan should include an outline of the budget and timetable (1-2 pages maximum).

2. Artist's statement: describe the interest and link between the discipline or practice and the objectives of this call (600 words maximum).

3. Portfolio: examples of previous work. This can be a document with hyperlinks to your Vimeo or other recording. Our committee will be flexible. The objective is to understand your project.

4. Curriculum vitae: highlight relevant experience.

Calendar

• Application deadline: October 21, 2024 midnight Eastern Time.

• Notification of selection: November 5, 2024.

• Project period: to be completed by the end of February and presented in March 2025 (date to be determined).

• First meeting: November 6, 2024.

• Workshop 1: date to be determined.

• Watch the information session on YouTube.Workshop 2: date to be determined.

• Workshop 3: date to be determined.

• Annual conference and project presentation: March 2025.

About AIIA's Art, AI, Law & Society Resource Cluster

AI Impact Alliance’s approach, since its founding in 2017, aims to build a transdisciplinary bridge between art, AI, and research-creation on the ethical, social, legal, economic, cultural and political implications of AI. The Art, AI, Law and Society Resource Cluster is a platform for research, creation, and exchange in the field of AI and arts. It engages in strategic foresight, advocacy, and literacy to inform AI policies and promote the role of arts in democracy and cultural security. Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and its members, the Cluster will facilitate 3 workshops and 1 annual conference as well as design an interactive website where a constructive and safe conversation about GenAI can be held.

Contact Information

For more information: info@algorithmicfrontiers.com.

Watch the information session on YouTube.