Open
Source verified August 10, 2026
Arts Equity Funding Initiative
Equity-focused arts support for professional creators
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: The Arts Equity Funding Initiative now shows new extension rules, clearer mandatory application requirements, and added application support guidance.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: The Arts Equity Funding Initiative now shows new extension rules, clearer mandatory application requirements, and added application support guidance.
Arts Equity application rules updated
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative now shows new deadline-extension rules for applications: requests must be emailed before 9:00am on the deadline day, exceptions may be considered case by case, and extensions cannot go beyond one week after the stated program deadline. The program page also now states that missing mandatory application components can make an application ineligible, and it adds guidance on application support and accommodations during the application period. The application form link is now shown as “Application Form Preview” with a new file location dated 2026-06, instead of the earlier sample file reference. The program still shows the application form as closed and says it will re-open on July 15, 2026, one month before the next deadline.
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 15,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened July 15, 2026
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
Arts Equity Funding Initiative supports emerging and established professional artists from designated communities, plus professional arts organizations, ad-hoc groups, and non-profit organizations registered in Nova Scotia employing professional artists for a project. It funds artistic growth, development, production, and dissemination through new work, public presentation, and professional development.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop team skills
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects to develop or create new work
- The public presentation of artists’ own work
- Strengthening artistic or administrative capacity through formal study programs, mentorship, workshops, apprenticeship, conference, and other professional development activity
- Travel costs that do not fit into one of the categories above but relate to the development of artistic activity or a significant artistic opportunity
Documents Needed
- Online application form and Self-Identification form
- Project description (Max. 2 pages)
- Group member statements if you are submitting on behalf of a group of artists; Background Information About the Organization (for organization applicants); Financial template; Schedule of work
- Two-page CV of the applicant and all other key artists involved in the project
- Support material
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional artists
- Professional arts organizations
- Ad-hoc groups of three or more professional artists, with a majority living in Nova Scotia
- Non-profit organizations registered in Nova Scotia employing professional artists for a project
Eligible expenses
- Contribution to living expenses up to $2000/month during the project period, for individual or duo applicants only
- Artist’s fees, for organizations or group applicants only
- Materials; mentors, instructors, or consultants
- Professional fees for design, production, and technical personnel and other production expenses for presentations
- Travel costs directly related to the project and outside of the applicant’s general area of residence; royalties; promotion and publicity for Present Grants only; venue rental; rental of equipment essential to the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Creative Industries work, including commercial film and video production, music videos, recording, television/episode work, publishing, commercial design, architecture, or production/line crafts
- Capital purchases, including buildings, property, construction, equipment, etc.
- Recurring events or core activities, and permanent staff positions
- Projects already funded through us or the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage (CCH), and work that happened before the deadline
- Website development for promotional purposes, and professional/artist fees for individual or duo applicants
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Selection criteria
- The quality of the work as evidenced by the support material provided
- The artistic merit of the project
- The ability to carry out the project
How to apply
- Choose the correct application form for the applicant type and category.
- Complete the online application form.
- Send the required application documents by email to artsnssubmissions@novascotia.ca.
- For Special Travel applications, email the program officer after submitting the rest of the application documents.
Processing and Agreement
- This form will only be used for internal purposes and will not be sent to assessors.
- The information in the self-identification form will not be given to the peer assessment committee, and its contents will be confidential.
- Assessors score and rank applications, and the program officer does not participate in the scoring or ranking of applications.
- The decisions of the PAC are final.
- You will receive an email notifying you of the results twelve to fourteen weeks after the deadline regardless of the outcome.
Additional information
- Applicants who apply to this program are also eligible to apply for funding to other Arts Nova Scotia programs
- The name of the beneficiary and the amount of grant received in any fiscal year will be published for the public.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arts Equity Funding Initiative Program
What is the Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
Arts Equity Funding Initiative supports emerging and established professional artists from designated communities, plus professional arts organizations, ad-hoc groups, and non-profit organizations registered in Nova Scotia employing professional artists for a project. It funds artistic growth, development, production, and dissemination through new work, public presentation, and professional development.
How much funding can be received?
Arts Equity Funding Initiative Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Arts Equity Funding Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Arts Equity Funding Initiative program, you must:
Emerging and established professional artists from designated communities
Professional artist duos, professional arts organizations, ad-hoc groups of three or more professional artists, and non-profit organizations registered in Nova Scotia employing professional artists for a project
Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who have lived in Nova Scotia for at least 12 months before the application deadline, or are temporarily outside the province and not away for more than 12 months
What expenses are eligible under Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
Projects to develop or create new work
The public presentation of artists’ own work
Strengthening artistic or administrative capacity through formal study programs, mentorship, workshops, apprenticeship, conference, and other professional development activity
Travel costs that do not fit into one of the categories above but relate to the development of artistic activity or a significant artistic opportunity
Who can I contact for more information about the Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
You can contact Arts Nova Scotia by email at artsnssubmissions@novascotia.ca or by phone at (902) 497-8538.
Where is the Arts Equity Funding Initiative available?
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Arts Equity Funding Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Arts Equity Funding Initiative is a Grant and Funding