2027 planning guide · Reviewed October 16, 2026
Find funding sources for writing, visual creation and professional development. This planning guide links directly to funders and separates confirmed 2027 dates from recurring schedules and unannounced calls. Eligibility for arts funding varies; publication in a magazine does not automatically qualify a project.
Canada-wide funding
Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council reorganized its granting programs in 2025. Its five current programs are Explore and Create; Engage and Sustain; Creating, Knowing and Sharing; Supporting Artistic Practice; and Arts Across Canada and Abroad. Use the current funding portal to match your activity and applicant type. The previous component names and funding ceilings in this guide have been retired. Check current deadlines.
Access Copyright Foundation grants
Administered through SK Arts, these grants support creators, publishers and eligible organizations. The published recurring deadlines are February 15 for Marian Hebb Research Grants, April 1 for Professional Development and November 1 for Events. Check the applicable year’s guidelines before applying.
Provincial, territorial and local funding
Ontario Arts Council — Literature
Use the current literature directory for Literary Creation Projects, Recommender Grants for Writers and related programs. Confirm each program’s intake rather than carrying forward 2026 dates. The guide’s former email-tracking links have been replaced by this direct OAC link.
Toronto Arts Council — Writers Program
Supports new literary work and work in progress by eligible Toronto writers. Confirm the current application date, residency rules and funding level on TAC’s program page; a dated 2027 deadline has not been verified. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
Manitoba Arts Council
The current grant directory includes creation, sharing, learning and Indigenous arts opportunities. Select the program suited to your project and consult its published intake calendar.
Winnipeg Arts Council — Individual Artist Grants
Individual artist funding supports Winnipeg-based practice. The council describes two annual rounds, generally in early March and early September; exact dates vary. Its French program page says 2027 guidelines will be published in mid-December 2026.
SK Arts
Use the current directory for Independent Artists, Artists in Communities, Micro-Grants, Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists, and Share and Connect. The agency is now presented as SK Arts, rather than the old Saskatchewan Arts Board heading. Its directory also links the Prince Edward Arts Scholarship for students. Confirm program-specific deadlines and eligibility.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts — Literary Individual Project Funding
Confirmed deadlines: March 1 and September 1, 2027. Current maximum funding: $18,000 for an eligible literary arts project, replacing the former $15,000 figure.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts — Dr. MacEwan Literary Arts Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2027. The $7,000 scholarship supports an eligible Alberta writer aged 25 or younger undertaking qualifying training. Consult the full residency and study requirements.
BC Arts Council — Individual Arts Grants: Visual Artists
The current listed deadline is November 25, 2026. A 2027 intake date is not confirmed here. Consult the program for eligible visual-arts practice and project requirements. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
ArtsNL — Professional Project Grants Program
Supports eligible Newfoundland and Labrador professional artists, groups and organizations, including writing projects. The published recurring deadlines are March 15 and September 15, moved to the next business day where necessary. Check the current applicant category and request limits before applying.
artsnb — Grant Programs
The current New Brunswick directory includes Creation, Documentation, Arts Scholarships, Arts Infrastructure and Career Development, as well as the Equinox Program for Indigenous Artists. Consult the individual program for its current deadline and funding limits.
Arts Nova Scotia — Grants to Individuals
Supports eligible independent artists, including literary and visual artists. Use the current program page for creation, presentation and professional-development requirements. Exact 2027 dates have not been verified. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
Arts Nova Scotia — Organizations and Groups
For organizations rather than individual applicants. Consult the current program requirements before using this route for a publication or collective; a 2027 intake has not been confirmed in this review. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
Northwest Territories — Arts Project Funding
The territorial funding guide distinguishes Small and Medium Arts Project Grants, Large Arts Project funding and operating support. This replaces the former generic NWT Arts Council grant listing. The linked guide provides an overview; confirm current 2027 dates and terms with the department.
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
CALQ maintains funding programs for eligible artists and writers, including regional opportunities. Select the appropriate program for its current application schedule and eligibility. Consulter le site en français.
Funding for Indigenous creators
Eligibility differs between programs. Check the funder’s own requirements concerning identity, residence, community and artistic practice.
Canada Council — Creating, Knowing and Sharing
The current Canada Council framework includes support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, groups and Indigenous-led organizations. Use the portal’s current opportunity descriptions rather than the older component ceilings.
Ontario Arts Council
OAC’s grant directory includes Indigenous-focused programs alongside discipline-based funding. Confirm whether the relevant project, materials, community or professional-development stream is accepting applications.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts — Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding
The current maximum is $18,000 for eligible cultural or artistic projects by Indigenous artists in Alberta. Refer to the program page for application dates and full eligibility.
First Peoples’ Cultural Council
FPCC has revised its arts funding structure. Use its current arts announcements rather than the former list of individual program names. Its Heritage Vitality Program lists a November 25, 2026, 4:30 p.m. deadline for projects running April 5, 2027–February 28, 2028; consult its B.C. First Nations community eligibility rules.
YVR Art Foundation
The Foundation remains active and has announced 2026 scholarship recipients. A dated 2027 scholarship call has not been verified; consult its current announcements before applying. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
The Canadian Press — Indspire
The earlier Canadian Press funding listing remains available, but a current 2027 application window was not verified. Confirm availability with Indspire before relying on this opportunity. Check the official website or contact the organizer to confirm current dates and terms before applying.
SK Arts — Indigenous arts programs
The current directory links Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists and Share and Connect: Indigenous Community Arts. Check the applicable program for dates, funding and eligibility.
artsnb — Equinox Program for Indigenous Artists
Consult artsnb for the current New Brunswick program requirements and submission schedule.
Need confirmation? Where a date, opening or term is unconfirmed, check the linked official website or contact the organizer directly before applying or paying. An inaccessible page does not establish that an organization has closed.
Have an update or an opportunity to share? Contact the Foundation.