PEI Arts Grants Funding

Who can apply

Funding is available to professional Prince Edward Island based artists through a peer-assessed grant application process.

You can apply to up to two streams per round, but only one application per stream is allowed. You cannot apply to two streams for the same project.

Create (Creation Grant)

This grant is available to individuals or small groups/bands at the established and emerging professional artist levels.

Share (Dissemination Grant)

Share grants are available for individuals or small groups/bands at the established professional and emerging professional artist levels.

Learn (Professional Development Grant)

Learn grants are available for individuals or small groups/bands at the established professional, emerging professional and amateur artist levels.

New project submissions from an applicant in default on any reporting, project completion or financial obligation to Innovation PEI will not be reviewed until a resolution to the default is reached.

Incomplete applications that do not meet the basic eligibility criteria of this program will not be evaluated by the peer assessment committee. This includes applications that are missing mandatory documentation including a detailed budget, an artist CV and relevant support materials.

Residency

To apply to the PEI Arts Grants program, you must be a resident of Prince Edward Island and have maintained this as your primary residence for a minimum of twelve consecutive months prior to the date of application. Artists on extended travel for their work are still considered PEI residents, but those who move their primary residence to another province or country within the twelve consecutive months prior to the application deadline are not eligible.

In situations where residency is called into question, the applicant may be asked to provide a copy of the most recent tax filing as proof of residency.

Groups and bands must have a majority of their members reside in PEI.

Professional Status

There are several ways to establish professional status as an artist. As a professional artist, you should meet three or more of the following criteria in relation to your arts practice:

1. You have received compensation that is considered part of your personal or business income;
2. You have presented your work to the public through recordings, exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances, readings or other means of dissemination;
3. You devote a reasonable amount of time to creating or disseminating your work;
4. You have received reviews, or appraisals by public and/or peer assessment/recognition;
5. You have a membership in a professional or industry association or guild recognized by their discipline;
6. You have undertaken formal education or training from educational institution(s), or have undertaken self-directed training through a commitment to informal training opportunities that demonstrate commitment to skill development.

Each granting stream also has unique eligibility requirements outlined above and in the attached guidelines.

What's the difference between an emerging and established artist?

The professional status of an artist is based on the stage of one's career, not on chronological age. Your artist CV should be able to support your identification and demonstrate the stage of your career as an emerging or established artist. Failure to provide an artist CV that clearly establishes you as a professional artist may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

An emerging artist is a professional artist who identifies with the following characteristics:

1. You are at the early stage of your career;
2. You view art as your vocation;
3. You have specialized artistic training (formal or informal) and
4. You have created a modest body of work that includes demonstrated efforts to have had public presentation.

You are considered an established artist if you identify as a professional artist with the following characteristics:

1. You are recognized in your artistic discipline by your peers;
2. You have specialized training;
3. You have a significant history of public presentation and regional and/or national representation; and
4. You have created an extensive body of work.

You may be considered an amateur artist if you demonstrate a high calibre of artistic talent and wish to bridge into a professional career. Students 16+ are eligible to apply however, a parent or guardian must sign the application on the student’s behalf.