How much funding can be received?

The CALQ — Creation grant offers up to $50,000 to support professional artists and curators in Quebec for research, creation, exploration, and production of new artistic works. The program funds a wide range of eligible activities across multiple disciplines, including visual arts, literature, film, digital arts, and more, to foster artistic excellence and innovation.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial support of $50,000 per project.
Reasonable travel and living expenses covered up to $200 per day per participant, both in Canada and abroad.
Eligible expenses are considered from the official project start date.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation and production of new artistic works or bodies of work.
Development of unique works or limited editions.
Commissioned artistic projects with confirmed partner participation.
Participation in creation residencies.
Adaptation of an existing work for new media formats.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 39,800

Residency for composing and producing a new contemporary dance score

$ 49,500

Developing an interactive digital visual arts installation exploring memory

$ 47,000

Commission and production of a public mural highlighting local indigenous history

$ 37,500

Developing and adapting a literary work for podcast audio format

$ 39,950

Exploration of new textile techniques in wearable art through workshops

$ 48,650

Creation and filming of a short experimental film on urban isolation

Eligibility criteria of the CALQ —Creation program

The applicant must be a professional artist or an independent curator active in one of the disciplines supported by CALQ.
The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who normally resides in Quebec and has lived in Quebec for at least the preceding 12 months.
The project must be submitted at least four weeks before its start date.
The applicant must have previous experience or professional recognition in their field, as defined by having presented, published, or produced independent works recognized by peers.

Who is eligible?

This program is not open to companies or industries. It is intended exclusively for professional individual artists and independent curators working in the disciplines supported by the CALQ.

Who is not eligible

Corporations or partnerships where the applicant artist is a shareholder or partner.
Non-profit organizations employing the applicant artist, when the project is part of the organization’s activities.
Organizations or entities producing public art projects as part of the government policy to integrate art into public buildings and sites.
Organizations commissioning works whose mandate is primarily to host artists for production or on-site creation residencies.
Projects commissioned by the private sector or for television (series, video clips).

Eligible expenses

Remuneration for the applicant.
Fees for participating artists and partners (excluding the applicant).
Research-related expenses.
Development expenses (studio or workshop rental, purchase of supplies, equipment rental).
Rehearsal-related expenses.
Costs for photos and rehearsal videos documenting the process.
Expenses for a creation residency.
Reasonable travel and living expenses (accommodation and per diem) up to $200 per day per participant in Canada and abroad.
Visa fees.
Purchase of specialized equipment required for the project, only if it cannot be rented or purchasing is less expensive than renting (supporting documentation required).

Eligible geographic areas

Applicants must normally reside in Québec and have resided there for at least the preceding 12 months.

Eligibility criteria of the CALQ —Creation program

Quality of artistic work (30%) — Assessed based on the applicant's previous artistic achievements.
Artistic value of the project (part of 70%) — Evaluation of the project's creative merit.
Relevance of the project and team composition (part of 70%) — Consideration of both the project’s significance and the suitability of the involved team, if applicable.
Impact of the project on the evolution of the applicant's work and anticipated benefits (part of 70%) — Assessment of the project's contribution to the applicant’s artistic development and its overall outcomes.
Administrative evaluation — Requires a "Satisfactory" rating for both the appropriateness of remuneration for the applicant and team, and the feasibility of the work plan and budget.

How to apply to the CALQ —Creation program

Review eligibility requirements

Read the program details and eligibility criteria on the CALQ website
Contact the CALQ for clarification if needed

Verify applicant and project eligibility

Confirm you are a professional artist or independent curator in an eligible discipline
Ensure you meet residency and citizenship requirements

Prepare application documents

Gather all required documents, including project description and proof of eligibility
Prepare supporting materials, such as agreements or confirmations for co-productions or translation projects

Submit your application

Complete the online application via Mon dossier CALQ or, if necessary, send via WeTransfer as per instructions
Ensure the application is submitted at least four weeks before the project start date
Double-check your application for accuracy and completeness

Wait for decision

Track the status of your application through Mon dossier CALQ
Wait for acknowledgment of receipt and the evaluation process

Comply with grant terms if approved

If approved, read the grant usage terms provided by the CALQ
Comply with reporting and visibility requirements for funded projects

Additional information

Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the project start date to be considered eligible.
Only one application per registration is permitted; a maximum of five applications and grants per CALQ fiscal year is allowed.
No more than three projects can be under consideration, supported, or underway simultaneously.
The CALQ recommends using "Mon Dossier CALQ" as the preferred platform for submitting and tracking applications; physical mail applications are not accepted.