This program is designed for creative and cultural businesses like yours. It offers a unique opportunity to expand your reach and grow your export capacity. By applying, you can receive funding to promote your creative content in national and international markets, increase brand awareness, and diversify your revenue streams.

What You Get

• Up to 50% of eligible costs covered, up to $30,000 per project
• Support for business, strategic, and marketing plans
• Funding for digital marketing and branding for international markets
• Assistance with improving e-commerce solutions and in-market travel

Why Apply?

• Boost your exports: Increase the export potential of your creative products.
• Expand your audience: Build brand awareness and engage with new markets.
• Diversify revenue: Open new revenue streams and reduce dependency on local markets.

The application process is straightforward, and the program is designed to be accessible. Approval can significantly enhance your business's growth and international presence.

Type of Financing: Grant

Funding Amount:

• The Creative Industries Fund may cover up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Maximum funding available per project is $30,000.
• The remaining project costs must be funded by the applicant.

Eligible Expenses:

• Business, strategic, and marketing plans.
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion activities (e.g., consultations, community engagement, research, programming, training, governance).
• Market intelligence, research, business matchmaking, and lead generation in new markets.
• Digital marketing.
• Branding or rebranding for international markets.
• Improving e-commerce solutions.
• Development plans for e-commerce platforms for markets outside of Nova Scotia.
• In-market travel.

Ineligible Expenses:

• Recurring or ongoing operational activities.
• Employee wages not directly related to the project.
• Administration costs.
• Production costs and content creation costs.
• Website maintenance and hosting fees.
• Monthly subscriptions.
• Capital purchases (e.g., buildings, software).
• Projects or project components already funded through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage or Arts Nova Scotia.
• GST, HST, PST, and QST.
• Quarantine costs related to travel and touring.

Fees:

• There are no fees associated with applying for this grant.

The Creative Industries Fund offers your business a chance to grow by providing up to $30,000 in funding. This fund covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, meaning you need to cover the remaining balance.

You can use this money for various activities that help expand your reach. These include creating business, strategic, and marketing plans, engaging in equity, diversity, and inclusion activities, conducting market research, and improving your digital marketing and ecommerce solutions. Traveling to new markets and branding or rebranding for international markets are also covered.

This funding is a great opportunity to increase your revenue streams, promote your products nationally and internationally, and build brand awareness. By participating, you can diversify your business and tap into new markets, ultimately boosting your export potential.

1. Review Program Guidelines: Start by reviewing the detailed program criteria in the Creative Industries Fund Guidelines to understand the requirements and ensure your project aligns with the fund's objectives.

2. Determine Your Stream: Identify whether your business should apply for the Development Stream (for non-profit organizations) or the Export Stream (for creative and cultural businesses).

3. Contact the Fund: Reach out to the Creative Industries Fund to discuss your project idea and confirm your eligibility. This step ensures you are on the right track before proceeding with the application.

4. Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to support your application. You will need:

   • Registry of Joint Stock Companies ID
   • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number
   • Total cost of the project
   • Description of the project
   • Project locations
   • Project objectives
   • Work plan, including timelines, key steps, and dates for completion

5. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the Creative Industries Fund Application Form with accurate and detailed information about your project.

6. Complete the Budget Template: Use the provided budget template to outline the financial details of your project, including all eligible costs and funding sources.

7. Review and Submit: Double-check your application, supporting documents, and budget template for completeness and accuracy. Once everything is in order, send your completed application, supporting documents, and budget template by email.

8. Await Response: After submission, it will take approximately 3 to 4 months for the program to review your application and notify you of the decision. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.

By following these steps, you can apply for funding to help grow the export capacity of Nova Scotian artists and creative producers through the Creative Industries Fund.