Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations

Type
GRANTS AND FUNDING
Application Difficulty
MEDIUM
Application DeadlineApril 30, 2025
Time To Complete4 weeksProgram Budgetno cap
See If You Qualify

Highlights

This program is designed for businesses like yours, driven by artistic vision and leadership. It offers substantial financial support to help you develop, create, and share your artistic projects. By applying, you can secure funding that covers up to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last three years.

What You Get

  • Funding for artistic development, creative research, creation, production, and dissemination
  • Support for activities that stimulate new artistic voices and offer diverse experiences to the public

Why Apply?

  • Significant financial support: Up to 60% of your annual revenues
  • Flexibility: Funds can be used for various stages of your artistic projects
  • Government-backed: Reliable and secure funding source

Being approved for this program can provide the financial stability and resources needed to elevate your artistic endeavors. The application process is straightforward, and if your business meets the criteria, you have a strong chance of qualifying.

Financing Details

Type of Financing: Grant

Eligible Expenses:

  • Artistic development
  • Creative research
  • Creation
  • Production
  • Dissemination

Use of Funds:

  • Funds cannot be used for activities that receive funding from another Canada Council program.
  • Funds cannot be used for activities listed on the general list of ineligible activities.

Fees:

  • There are no fees associated with this grant program.

This grant supports artistic organizations driven by the vision of artistic leaders. It helps cover various stages of artistic activities, from research to public dissemination.

Qualifications

  • Must be an artistic organization.
  • Must create, produce, present, or exhibit the work of artists.
  • Must be driven by the vision and voice of an artistic leader or group of artists.
  • Must support the development and dissemination of works by Canadian artists.
  • Must presently receive core (operating) support from this component, or:
    • Have received 1 composite grant or 2 Canada Council project grants in the last 5 years (excluding certain specified grants).
  • Must be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.
  • Must work with a professional staff.
  • Must have at least 5 years of continuous professional artistic activities that are accessible to the public.
  • Must have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years (some exceptions may be considered).

  • Disqualifications:

    • Organizations presently receiving core support from another component.
    • Organizations that have undergone a recent change in key artistic leadership without contacting the Program Officer to confirm eligibility.

Description

This program offers your business a great opportunity to grow and thrive. You can receive up to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last three years. This funding can be used for a wide range of activities that support your artistic vision.

You can use the funds for:

  • Artistic development
  • Creative research
  • Creation and production of new works
  • Dissemination of your art to the public

The money you receive is a grant, not a loan, so you don’t have to worry about paying it back. This means you can focus on what you do best—creating and sharing your art—without the stress of financial burden.

This program is designed to support organizations like yours, driven by artistic leaders. It aims to stimulate new artistic voices and offer diverse experiences to the public. This is a fantastic chance to secure financial support and take your artistic projects to the next level.

Program Steps

  1. Create an Account on the Portal: Visit the program's portal and create an account. Ensure you submit one or more profiles for validation at least 30 days before you plan to apply.

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

    • Financial statements for the last three years
    • Business plan
    • Details of intended use of funds
    • Proof of incorporation as a not-for-profit arts organization
    • Evidence of professional staff employment
    • Records of continuous professional artistic activities accessible to the public for at least five years
    • Documentation showing total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last three years
  3. Translate Application: Ensure your application is translated into French or English as required. Check the guidelines for specific details and translation deadline dates.

  4. Contact Program Officer: If your organization has undergone a recent change in key artistic leadership or is currently receiving core support from another component, contact your Program Officer to confirm your eligibility before applying.

  5. Submit Application: Log into the portal and submit your application along with the prepared documentation. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.

  6. Review and Notification: Wait for the review process to be completed. You will be notified of the results by the specified deadline.

  7. Follow-Up: If approved, follow any additional steps provided in the notification to finalize the grant agreement and begin utilizing the funds for your artistic activities.

Visit Program Website