Open
Source verified August 5, 2026
CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning
Flexible aid for atypical career projects
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Professional artists operating as individuals in eligible artistic disciplines
See full eligibility
Overview
The CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning program provides up to $100,000 per year in funding for atypical, career-defining projects by professional artists and independent curators in various disciplines. This grant supports activities such as research, creation, production, promotion, and dissemination of artistic work.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop an online presence
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects responding to a prompt need.
- A series of activities over a long period.
- Major artistic projects that require long-term planning.
- Access to professional and consulting services for a determined period.
- Support for coordinating and producing a set of related long-term projects.
Documents Needed
- Part 1. Details of the project
- Part 2. Budget and Schedule
- Personal information
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional artists operating as individuals in eligible artistic disciplines
- Independent curators recognized in visual arts, arts and crafts, architectural research, digital arts, and film and video art
Who is not eligible
- Applicants who have resided outside Québec for two or more years, unless they have maintained their status as a Québec resident.
- Individuals whose projects are carried out by or with a company or partnership in which they are a shareholder or partner.
- Individuals whose projects are carried out by or with a non-profit organization in which they are an employee.
Eligible expenses
- Candidate’s remuneration; fees for participating artists and partners, excluding the applicant; research expenses.
- Development expenses such as studio or workshop rental, purchasing supplies, and renting equipment; production expenses for the works; presentation expenses for the works.
- Promotional expenses related to the project; travel and living expenses directly related to the project, maximum of $200 per day per participant in Canada and outside Canada; visa fees.
- Professional or contractual fees, such as for consultants, technicians or other specialists contributing expertise to the project.
- Administration expenses, maximum of 10% of the total cost; purchase of specialized equipment only if necessary for the project and if it cannot be rented or costs less than rental.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects eligible for other program components, or that could have been presented as part of another component of the program according to the application calendar.
- Research-creation projects.
- Projects for creating works, including large-scale ones; publishing and republishing projects, including correction and revision.
- Projects carried out by or with a company or partnership in which the artist applicant is a shareholder or partner, or by or with a non-profit organization in which the artist applicant is an employee.
- Expenses already covered by support from public or private organizations or other sources of financing.
Eligible geographic areas
- Québec
Selection criteria
- Artistic evaluation of the project is worth 100%, with 30% for quality of artistic work and 70% for interest and relevance of the project.
- To receive financial aid, each administrative evaluation criterion must be rated at least Satisfactory.
- Peer assessment seeks balance between generations, genders, ethnocultural groups, and regions of Québec.
- Funding decisions take into account the relative value of projects and the credits available.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the program and eligibility requirements
- Read the program details carefully before applying.
- Contact the program officer if you need clarification.
- Step 2: Complete the application form
- Fill in all parts of the form.
- Complete the required sections for the project description, personal information, budget and schedule.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Submit before the project starts.
- Use Mon dossier CALQ if available for the program.
- If needed, send the file by WeTransfer following the instructions in the application form.
- Step 4: Receive confirmation
- The CALQ sends an acknowledgement of receipt by email.
- If you use Mon dossier CALQ, you can track the processing of your file there.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed by CALQ program managers for eligibility and alignment with the program.
- Eligible applications are assessed by a jury, and assessors may be called upon if needed.
- The jury makes recommendations to the board of directors, which ratifies the decisions.
- Applicants are notified about four months after submission; decisions are final and without appeal.
Additional information
- The program is structured around nine components.
- Financial support is available for artists with disabilities with a view to ensuring access to CALQ's services.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning Program
What is the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning?
The CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning program provides up to $100,000 per year in funding for atypical, career-defining projects by professional artists and independent curators in various disciplines. This grant supports activities such as research, creation, production, promotion, and dissemination of artistic work.
How much funding can be received?
CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning program?
To be eligible for the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning program, you must:
Reserved for individual professional artists or independent curators, not for profit-making enterprises.
The project must be personal and carried out outside the activities of a company or organization.
Must usually reside in Quebec and have lived there for the last 12 months.
What expenses are eligible under CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning?
Projects responding to a prompt need.
A series of activities over a long period.
Major artistic projects that require long-term planning.
Access to professional and consulting services for a determined period.
Support for coordinating and producing a set of related long-term projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning?
You can contact Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) or by phone at 418 643-1707.
Where is the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning available?
The CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CALQ — Strategic Opportunities and Career Planning is a Grant and Funding