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By Émile Audet
December 8, 2025

What Can Explore and Create — Concept to Realization Fund?

The Explore and Create — Concept to Realization program offers significant support to Canadian artists, artistic groups, and arts organizations seeking financial assistance for creative projects. This initiative, part of the broader Canadian Arts funding landscape, aims to support the full creative cycle from initial concept through to final presentation. For complete eligibility requirements, see the complete program guide.

Overview of the Program

Explore and Create — Concept to Realization provides funding through project grants and composite grants. Project grants cover single activities, while composite grants support multiple activities over a defined period. This program is designed to foster innovation and creativity across Canada, offering artists the resources needed to bring their visions to life.

Eligible Expenses

Funding under this program can be used for activities that contribute to creative research, project development, creation, and production, ultimately resulting in public presentations or confirmed exhibitions. Here are some examples of eligible expenses:

  • Artistic Research and Creation: Costs associated with developing new artistic ideas, including materials and resources necessary for experimentation.

  • Project Development: Expenses related to planning and organizing creative projects, such as administrative costs and consulting fees.

  • Production and Post-Production: Costs for creating and refining visual and media arts productions, including equipment rental and studio time.

  • Presentation: Expenses for staging public exhibitions or presentations, such as venue rental and marketing costs.

  • Media and Digital Arts Production: Funding for projects ready for dissemination, including digital distribution costs.

For specific funding amounts and calculations, visit the complete program guide.

Ineligible Expenses

Certain expenses are not covered under this program. These include:

  • Literary Writing Projects: Such projects are excluded, along with self-publishing and author-subsidized publishing of literary works.

  • Activities Occurring Before Project Start Date: Costs incurred before the official start date of the project are not eligible.

  • Projects Funded by Other Canada Council Programs: If a project is receiving funding from another Canada Council initiative, it cannot be funded again.

Funding Disbursement & Claiming Process

The Explore and Create program typically disburses funds based on project milestones, ensuring that artists receive support as they reach key stages of their work. Detailed claiming processes are outlined in the complete program guide.

Conclusion

The Explore and Create — Concept to Realization program is a robust source of support for Canadian artists eager to transform creative concepts into reality. By understanding eligible activities and expenses, applicants can strategically plan their projects to maximize funding opportunities. For a detailed understanding of the application process and eligibility criteria, consult the complete program guide.

About the author

Émile Audet - Canadian grants specialist

Émile Audet

Canadian grants specialist
Working at helloDarwin for some time now, I'm in charge of providing you with the information you need on government aid. Dedicated to helping companies in Quebec and Canada reach their full potential, I write on the helloDarwin blog about the various programs, allowances and funding available to enable organizations to make their digital transformation through access to federal and provincial support.

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