We’ve rounded up this list of grants, with opportunities from coast to coast. The roundup includes grants for everyone from emerging artists and students pursuing a career in the arts to professional artists practicing in various disciplines.
You can follow along on Twitter, using the hashtag #grantsforcreators. If we’ve missed a grant, please let us know via email.
FEDERAL GRANTS
Canada Council for the Arts
Explore and Create
Explore and Create funds Canadian artists, artistic groups, and organizations committed to the creation and dissemination of innovative, vibrant, and diverse art. This program advances Canadian artistic practices by encouraging artists to investigate creative processes and take risks that lead to the development of unique works destined to connect with the public. Explore and Create supports the research, development, creation, and production of work, as well as professional development for artists.
Program Components:
Professional Development for Artists Up to $10,000
Research and Creation Up to $25,000
Concept to Realization Up to $60,000 a year, exceptionally up to $100,000
Deadlines vary.
Supporting Artistic Practice
Supporting Artistic Practice encourages a dynamic support system for the arts in Canada by funding Canadian arts professionals, groups, and arts organizations who champion the Canadian arts sector, boost the capacity for artists to realize work, and advance the conditions of creation. Supporting Artistic Practice contributes to the growing network of resources available to strengthen the arts and inspires sector innovation by supporting collaboration, targeted initiatives, and career development opportunities for Canadian arts professionals.
Program Components:
Professional Development for Arts Professionals Up to $10,000
Deadline varies.
Arts Across Canada
Arts Across Canada fosters meaningful relationships and exchanges between artists and the Canadian public. Artists, arts professionals, groups, and arts organizations can apply to present and share artistic work with diverse communities across the country, engage more deeply with the public, and develop a stronger national profile.
Program Components:
Travel Up to $30,000 per year
Circulation and Touring Up to a maximum of $200,000
Deadlines vary.
Arts Abroad
Arts Abroad celebrates the creativity, innovation, and excellence of Canadian artists by helping to bring Canadian works to the world. This program supports artists, arts professionals, groups, and organizations to enhance international exposure, undertake artistic exploration or exchanges with international colleagues, and nurture new and existing art markets in a global context.
Program Components:
Travel Up to $30,000 per year
Circulation and Touring Up to a maximum of $200,000
Residencies Up to $20,000
Deadlines vary.
ONTARIO
ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL
Literary Creation Projects (Works for Publication)
The program supports Ontario-based literary artists to complete new works for book-length publication or for public performance, as well as literary performers who wish to record their own repertoire.
Program Components:
Creation of literary works for publication: $12,000
Deadline: September 7th, 2023
Creation of literary works for performance: $5,000
Recording of literary works that are created for performance: up to $10,000
Creation and recording of literary works for performance: up to $15,000
Deadlines: October 24th, 2023
Toronto Art Council: Writers Program
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) Writers Program supports the creation of new literary works or works-in-progress in the genres of fiction (including novels, short stories, children’s literature, graphic novels, etc.), literary non-fiction, poetry, and oral traditions such as storytelling, dub, rap, and spoken-word.
The program provides two levels of support for writers. The following fixed amounts are available:
LEVEL ONE: $5,000 – for writers in the early stages of their career.
LEVEL TWO: $10,000 – for writers with an established writing career.
Application deadline: June 15th, 2023
MANITOBA
MANITOBA ARTS COUNCIL
The Manitoba Arts Council funds the creation and sharing of arts and culture for the benefit of all Manitobans. The grants offered by MAC are housed in the 6 streams of activity listed below:
CREATE: Supports the process of creation.
SHARE: Supports the sharing of artistic work.
LEARN: Supports learning and artistic development activities.
INDIGENOUS 360: Supports artistic and cultural activities by Indigenous applicants.
SUPPORT: Invests in the long-term sustainability of Manitoba’s arts and cultural sector.
RECOGNIZE: Celebrates artistic achievement and recognizes potential excellence.
Application deadlines vary.
THE WINNIPEG ARTS COUNCIL
The Individual Artist Grant Program is intended to support the creation of new work in any art form, or the development, production, curation, or exhibition of works of art by Winnipeg artists.
Program Components:
Two types of grants are available, depending on an artist’s level of accomplishment and experience in the discipline of the proposed project. The Grant amounts are as follows:
(A) grant of up to $7,000 for mid-career and established artists
(B) grant of up to $3,000 for emerging artists
The Individual Artist grant program has two deadlines per year: one in early March and one in early September. The next deadline is Tuesday March 7th, 2023 for eligible applicants and projects beginning no earlier than June 7th, 2023, and finishing no later than November 30th, 2024.
SASKATCHEWAN
SASKATCHEWAN ARTS BOARD
Access Copyright Foundation Grants
The Access Copyright Foundation provides grants to publishers, individual creators, and publishing, writing, and visual arts organizations.
Program Components for Creators:
Research
Professional writers and visual artists who have completed formal or informal training in their discipline, maintain an artistic practice, and publish or present their work. Applicants must also be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and have published at least one book or exhibition catalogue, or have five publications in periodicals or journals.
Deadline: February 15th
Maximum Funding: $7,500
Professional Development
Professional writers and visual artists who have completed formal or informal training in their discipline, maintain an artistic practice, and publish or present their work. Applicants must also be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and have published at least one book or exhibition catalogue, or have five publications in periodicals or journals.
Deadline: April 1st
Maximum Funding: $3,000
Independent Artists Program
The Independent Artists program supports Saskatchewan artists to pursue their creative work and careers by funding creative, professional development, or research projects, and the production and/or presentation of artistic works.
Deadlines: March 15th and October 1st
Maximum funding levels vary.
Micro-Grant Program
The Micro-Grant Program provides support to professional artists and arts organizations to achieve outcomes that respond to emergent needs; create access for first-time and underserved applicants; contribute to professional practice and development; and advance the professional arts and artistic practices in Saskatchewan.
Deadline: 1st day of each month
Maximum funding for individual artists and artist collaborations: $1,000
ALBERTA
ALBERTA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
Literary Individual Project Funding
This opportunity provides up to $15,000 to support the development of individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding for a specific literary arts project.
Deadlines: March 1st and September 1st, 2023
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Individual Arts Awards: Visual Artists
This program assists professional visual artists, craft artists, and independent critics or curators to create specific projects in their discipline. Awards are available to support the creation of new works. Applications can be made by individuals or a collaboration of two or more practitioners who share creative control of a project.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2022, check back in 2023
Deadlines for other Individual Arts programs can be found here.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ARTS COUNCIL
Professional Project Grants Program
The Professional Project Grants Program is available to Individual Professional Artists, Collaborations of Individual Professional Artists, and Professional Arts Groups. This program supports the creation and/or presentation of works of art in the disciplines of dance, film, music, multidisciplinary arts, theatre, visual arts, or writing. Grants support project costs related to creation, production, administration, travel, professional development, etc.
Grant categories:
New Professional Artist(s), Collaboration, or Group: Maximum request of $6,000: An individual artist with less than three years professional arts practice post education, or a collaboration or group in which at least half of the members each has less than three years professional arts practice post education.
Established Professional Artist, Collaboration, or Group: Maximum request of $15,000: An individual with more than three years professional arts practice post education, or a collaboration or group in which at least half of the members each has more than three years professional arts practice post education.
There are two deadlines per year:
March 15th for projects starting on/after May 15th;
September 15th for projects starting on/after November 15th
NEW BRUNSWICK
NEW BRUNSWICK ARTS BOARD
Creation
The Creation Grant program is designed to provide assistance to professional New Brunswick artists for the research, development, and execution of original projects in the arts. Creation Grants are intended to allow artists to devote some or most of their time to research and creative production.
Deadlines: April 1st and October 1st, 2023
Maximum Grant Amounts: Cat. A: $15,000; Cat. B: $10,000; Cat. C: $5,000
The Arts Scholarships Program
The Arts Scholarships Program is designed to recognize and encourage New Brunswick students who have demonstrated exceptional artistic talent and potential, and who are pursuing a career in the arts. This program awards scholarships for full-time, part-time, or short-term studies.
Deadline: February 1st, 2023
Maximum Grant Amount: $2,500 for full-time studies OR $1,000 for part-time or short term studies.
NOVA SCOTIA
ARTS NOVA SCOTIA
Grants to Individuals
This program supports Nova Scotia’s professional, practicing artists in the creation and dissemination of their own work. The program also supports professional artists by helping them to develop their practice and skills in all disciplines including fine crafts, literary, visual, media, and performing arts. Individual artists may submit one application per grant category per deadline. To encourage equitable distribution of funds, artists can only receive one Creation Grant in a 12-month period.
Creation Grants Funding: max. $15,000
Presentation Grants Funding: max. $5,000
Professional Development Grants Funding: max. $5,000
Deadlines: May 15th and November 1st
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ARTS COUNCIL
This program provides grants that support the ongoing development and presentation of creative arts in the visual, literary, media and performing arts in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Consideration is given to organizations or individuals requesting funds for professional development, artistic work, or public presentation on a project-specific basis only.
Funding Disciplines: Audio Recording: Music and Voice; Fashion; Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Storytelling and Theatre; Writing and Publishing; Visual Arts Crafts; Film and Media Arts; Mentorship.
Funding is available in three basic categories for all disciplines:
Creative Development
The purpose of creative development funding is to support the personal creative growth of NWT artists. Individual applicants may apply for course fees and travel expenses and NWT organizations may apply for training workshop delivery costs.
Creation & Production
The purpose of creation & production funding is to support the creation of artistic projects by NWT artists. Individual applicants may apply for project expenses and NWT organizations may apply for workshop costs where NWT artists are directly involved.
Public Presentation
The purpose of presentation funding is to assist with the presentation of NWT artists’ works to the public. Individual applicants may apply for showcase, touring or exhibit fees and expenses and NWT organizations may apply for presentation fees and costs where NWT artists are directly involved. Events must benefit public audiences (e.g. an arts exhibition, film screening, touring author, music concert, dance or theatre production, or showcase event).
Funding: Up to $15,000
Deadlines: February 28th and October 31st
QUEBEC
CONSEIL DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES DU QUÉBEC
Various grant programs, including regional components, are available to artists and writers through the CALQ. Visit their website for additional information about the programs, the application deadlines, and eligibility criteria.
Le CALQ offre de nombreux programmes d’aide financière s’adressant aux artistes et écrivains, y compris des programmes régionaux. Consultez le site web de l’organisme pour obtenir les détails des divers programmes, les échéances pour soumettre une candidature.
GRANTS FOR INDIGENOUS CREATORS
CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
This program supports Indigenous individuals, groups, Indigenous-led arts organizations and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups and organizations may apply for funding for artistic and cultural activities.
Program Components:
Travel Up to $30,000
Small-scale activities Up to $3,000
Short-Term projects Up to $100,000
Long-Term projects Up to $300,000
Deadlines vary for each program.
The Ontario Arts Council
Indigenous Artists
All final reports are completed and submitted in Nova, OAC’s online granting system. This now includes grants received through a paper application process.
GRANT PROGRAMS:
Curatorial Projects: Indigenous and Culturally Diverse
Deadline dates: October 11th, 2023
Curatorial projects by Indigenous curators: maximum $30,000
Curatorial projects by curators who are people of colour: maximum $30,000
Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects
Deadline dates: April 12th and October 18th, 2023
Community arts projects: maximum $15,000
Indigenous languages through the arts: maximum $15,000
Training for community artists and animators: maximum $15,000
Indigenous artists in schools projects: maximum $15,000
Indigenous artists in northern Ontario fly-in communities: maximum $17,000
Indigenous Arts Projects
Deadline dates: April 12th and October 18th, 2023
Individuals: maximum $15,000
Ad hoc groups and collectives: maximum $20,000
Organizations: maximum $25,000
Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials
Deadline dates: The 2022-2023 program is open from July 2022 until January 31, 2023
Grant amounts: $500, $1,000
Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour
Deadline dates: May 4th, 2023
Skills and Career Development: maximum $10,000
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding
This funding provides up to $15,000 to support the development of an individual Indigenous artist, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists in Alberta by providing funding for a specific cultural or artistic project.
To be eligible for individual project funding, you must be a resident of Alberta.
APPLICATION DEADLINE(S): March 1st and September 1st, 2023
The YVR Art Foundation
The YVR Art Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and advancement of BC and Yukon First Nations visual art and artists, supporting the vitality and sustainability of First Nations art for artists, their communities, and the people of BC and the Yukon.
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) is a provincial Crown Corporation formed by the government of British Columbia in 1990 to administer the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language, and Culture Program.
Indigenous Arts Programs (IAP):
Individual Artists Program
Sharing Traditional Arts Across Generations
Organizations & Collectives
Arts Administrator Internships & Mentorships
Arts Vitality Micro-Grant
Community Arts Infrastructure
Indigenous Arts Scholarship
Deadlines vary.
The Canadian Press
Building Brighter Futures Award
This scholarship will be awarded to Indigenous students who are enrolled in a Journalism program or have indicated an interest on their application to obtain future employment in Journalism.
Awards Criteria:
Awards Category: Post-Secondary
Deadlines: August 1st, November 1st, February 1st
Level of Study: Any
Indigenous Affiliation: Any
The Saskatchewan Arts Board
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ART AND ARTISTS
The Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists program supports the development and continuation of Indigenous Peoples’ art forms in Saskatchewan.
The program offers three grant streams:
Basic: supports simple projects that accomplish one or two things in any art form. This could be a great starting place for an artist who has not received SK Arts funding in the past
Funding: $2,000
Intermediate: supports more complex requests for moderate-sized artistic projects
Funding: $7,500
Major: supports professional Indigenous artists with a significant sustained practice, working independently, collaboratively or as a collective, to accomplish a substantial project over an extended period
Funding: $18,000
DEADLINES:
April 15th and October 15th
NEW BRUNSWICK ARTS BOARD
EQUINOX PROGRAM FOR INDIGENOUS ARTISTS
The Equinox program supports Indigenous artists, curators, and groups to engage in artistic creation and professional development. Eligible projects can range from:
- research and development for the creation of new works
- creation and presentation of artistic work
- activities that support and strengthen the Indigenous arts community
The Equinox program provides flexible, short-term support to individual Indigenous artists or collectives applying on behalf of small or large groups, arts groups, organizations, community groups, independent arts administrators, and artistic and cultural mediators. Grant funds may be used for organizational development and professional development that will have a positive impact on building the arts ecosystem in Indigenous communities.
Deadlines: March 15th and September 15th, 2023