Open
CALQ — Exploration and Research
Funding for artistic research, experimentation, and creative development
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The CALQ — Exploration and Research program provides up to $25,000 to support professional artists and curators engaging in research, creation, or experimentation activities that foster artistic innovation. Eligible activities include the development of new ideas, exploration of artistic practices, residencies, and technical or technological experimentation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of new artistic ideas or approaches.
- Experimentation with artistic partners or collaborators.
- Exploration of alternative or interdisciplinary artistic practices.
- Conducting research or exploration residencies in the arts.
- Creation of prototypes or technical/technological experimentation in preparation for future projects.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional artists in disciplines supported by CALQ
- Independent curators in visual arts, arts and crafts, architectural research, digital arts, and film and video art
Who is not eligible
- Corporations and partnerships (except for personal projects by their shareholders that are not part of the company’s activities).
- Non-profit organizations (except for personal projects by employees that are not part of the organization’s activities).
- Individuals employed full-time as curators in arts organizations (for curator applications).
Eligible expenses
- Remuneration for the applicant.
- Research and experimentation expenses.
- Fees for participating artists and partners (excluding the applicant).
- Rental of studio or workshop space, purchase of supplies, and equipment rental.
- Expenses for research and exploration residencies.
- Costs for photos and rehearsal videos documenting the process.
- Travel and living expenses justified by the project (maximum $200 per day in Canada and outside Canada).
- Visa fees.
- Purchase of specialized equipment if necessary for the project and cannot be rented, or the purchase price is lower than the rental cost (with supporting documentation).
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Additional information
- Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the intended project start date to be eligible.
- A maximum of five applications can be submitted and five grants can be received per CALQ fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st).
- No more than three projects may be considered, supported or under way at the same time per applicant.
- All application documents and processes are confidential, in line with Quebec's access to information laws.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CALQ — Exploration and Research Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CALQ — Exploration and Research. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the CALQ — Exploration and Research?
The CALQ — Exploration and Research program provides up to $25,000 to support professional artists and curators engaging in research, creation, or experimentation activities that foster artistic innovation. Eligible activities include the development of new ideas, exploration of artistic practices, residencies, and technical or technological experimentation.
How much funding can be received?
CALQ — Exploration and Research Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CALQ — Exploration and Research program?
To be eligible for the CALQ — Exploration and Research program, you must:
The applicant must be a recognized professional artist or an independent curator.
Submitted projects must be individual and not related to the activities of a business or organization.
The project must be submitted at least four weeks before the start date.
What expenses are eligible under CALQ — Exploration and Research?
Development of new artistic ideas or approaches.
Experimentation with artistic partners or collaborators.
Exploration of alternative or interdisciplinary artistic practices.
Conducting research or exploration residencies in the arts.
Creation of prototypes or technical/technological experimentation in preparation for future projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the CALQ — Exploration and Research?
You can contact Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).
Where is the CALQ — Exploration and Research available?
The CALQ — Exploration and Research program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the CALQ — Exploration and Research a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CALQ — Exploration and Research is a Grant and Funding
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