Sector Innovation and Development: Project Grants Component of Supporting Artistic Practice

Who can apply

Funding for projects to encourage and support the ongoing growth, strengthening and development of the arts sector by artists, arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups and organizations

To receive funding from the Canada Council, applicants must have a validated applicant profile and applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the profile.

1. For individuals and groups, this typically includes demonstrating past learning or training, past compensation for arts activities, a commitment to a career in the arts, and recognition by other artists or arts workers.
2. For organizations, this typically includes demonstrating incorporation as a non-profit organization, a mandate related to the arts, a history of arts activities and a history of paying professional fees and royalties to artists and arts workers.

Each funding opportunity offered by the Council also outlines the eligible applicants, activities and expenses for that specific funding opportunity.

Artist or arts worker

This profile is for artists or other arts workers involved in any of the following arts activities or roles:

1. creation
2. writing
3. performing
4. curation
5. arts criticism
6. arts direction and administration
7. architecture
8. translation of literary or theatrical works
9. cultural connectors belonging to marginalized and underserved communities
10. other arts roles that contribute to the making and sharing of artwork for the public.

To be eligible for this profile, you must:

1. be at least 18 years old
2. be one of the following:

• a Canadian citizen living in Canada or abroad
• a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person from the land now known as Canada
• a permanent resident of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or
• a Protected Person of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

3. work in one or more artistic practices funded by the Canada Council
4. have developed your arts skills through formal or informal learning
5. have been compensated in a manner that is appropriate for your artistic practice and region, and accomplished one of the following:

• maintained an artistic practice for at least 1 year and completed at least 2 artistic activities that were made available to the public, or
• worked in an arts role for at least 12 months (not necessarily consecutive)
• Note: You can count activities that took place in another country. Do not count activities that were carried out to satisfy course requirements in an academic or arts training program.

6. be committed to building a career in the arts
7. be recognized by other artists and arts workers in your artistic practice or in your local community.

First Nations, Inuit or Métis artist or arts/cultural worker

This profile is for First Nations, Inuit or Métis individual artists with a history of making and sharing contemporary or customary work with the public or individual arts or cultural workers whose work supports, facilitates, investigates or examines the work of First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists.

To be eligible for this profile, you must meet all the following criteria. You must:

1. be at least 18 years old
2. be a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person from the land now known as Canada
3. be committed to the creation, study, promotion, dissemination or exhibition or presentation of original contemporary or customary works of art and/or the critical discourse relating to it
4. have developed your arts or cultural skills through formal or informal training
5. have been compensated and/or recognized in a manner that is appropriate for your practice, community or Indigenous protocols, and have accomplished one of the following

• maintained an artistic or cultural practice for at least 1 year and completed at least 2 artistic or cultural activities that were made available to the public, or
• worked in an arts or cultural role for at least 1 year.

First Nations, Inuit or Métis cultural carrier

This profile is for individuals whose role within First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities supports the preservation, retention, maintenance and knowledge production or transfer of specific Indigenous worldviews, cultural practices and traditions through art and creative practice. Cultural carriers include Elders, Knowledge Keepers, traditional educators and Language Holders.

To be eligible for this profile, you must meet all the following criteria. You must:

1. be at least 18 years old
2. be a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person from the land now known as Canada
3. be committed to the retention, maintenance, preservation and transfer of Indigenous modes of thought through artistic and cultural practices
4. have developed your arts or cultural skills through formal or informal training
5. have engaged in community-based cultural activity on a regular basis and have been compensated and/or recognized for this in a manner that is appropriate for your practice, community or Indigenous protocols
6. be recognized by your community as a significant contributor to First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultural practices.

Artistic group

This profile is for bands, collectives, ensembles and other groups of individuals who make artistic work and share it with the public.

To be eligible for this profile, your group must meet the following criteria:

1. There must be at least 2 core members.
2. All core members must be at least 18 years old.
3. At least 50% of the core members or both members of a 2-person group must be one of the following:

• a Canadian citizen living in Canada or abroad
• a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person from the land now known as Canada
• a permanent resident of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or
• a Protected Person of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

4. Your group must work in one or more artistic practices funded by the Canada Council.
5. The purpose of your group must be to pursue a collective artistic vision in making and sharing the group’s own artwork for the public.
6. Your group must have been collaborating for at least 2 years.
7. Your group must have completed at least 2 artistic activities that were made available to the public and been compensated in a manner that is appropriate for your artistic practice and region. Do not count activities that were carried out to satisfy course requirements in an academic or arts training program.
8. Your group cannot be incorporated.

• EXCEPTION: Incorporated music bands and ensembles may use this profile. Other incorporated entities should submit an organization profile.