Opening Soon
Source verified July 6, 2026
Arts Equity Funding Initiative
Equity-focused arts funding 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
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative supports professional artists and organizations in Nova Scotia through Create, Present, Professional Development, and Special Travel categories. It funds new work, public presentation, artistic capacity-building, and travel related to artistic activity or significant opportunities.
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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
- For-profit business
- 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
- Diversity and Inclusion
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
- Creating new work
- Public presentation of artists’ own work
- Strengthening artistic or administrative capacity through formal study programs, mentorship, workshops, apprenticeship, conferences, and other professional development activity
- Travel that relates to the development of artistic activity or a significant artistic opportunity
Documents Needed
- Online application form
- Self-Identification Form
- Project Description
- Schedule of Work
- Artist CV
Official resources
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
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
- Permanent staff positions
- Projects already funded through Arts Nova Scotia or the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Eligible geographic areas
Nova ScotiaSelection 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
- For Special Travel grants, applications are assessed internally as they are received.
- The program officer does not participate in the scoring or ranking of applications.
- Assessors score and rank applications based on the quality of the work as evidenced by the support material provided, the artistic merit of the project, and the ability to carry out the project.
- The decisions of the peer assessment committee are final.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arts Equity Funding Initiative Program
What is the Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative supports professional artists and organizations in Nova Scotia through Create, Present, Professional Development, and Special Travel categories. It funds new work, public presentation, artistic capacity-building, and travel related to artistic activity or significant opportunities.
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:
The applicant must be a professional artist, arts organization, ad-hoc group, or eligible non-profit organization.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.
Applicants must have lived in Nova Scotia for at least 12 months before the deadline.
What expenses are eligible under Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
Creating new work
Public presentation of artists’ own work
Strengthening artistic or administrative capacity through formal study programs, mentorship, workshops, apprenticeship, conferences, and other professional development activity
Travel that relates 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