April 2026 Recipients - $5900 awarded
1) Redefine and Shine Queer Youth Group (Ladysmith) - $4000
Funding a queer youth arts program for 2027. This is an after school program that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and is managed by the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA). Most attendees are in Grades 8 to 10. IQAWC initially awarded Redfine and Shine a $500 seed grant in 2024 to get started. This arts program provides social and emotional support to queer youth. It is free of charge and also adresses some food security issues for the participants.
2) Queer Film Festival (Victoria) - $1900
The film festival will be held from June 26-28, 2026. It is the first queer film festival on Vancouver Island. Artists will be paid industry wages for the screening of their films. Films will be featured free of charge to the public.