Closed
Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF)
Supports high-level professional arts training for Canadian artists
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : May 15, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) provides financial support of up to 100% of eligible expenses for Indigenous and equity groups, and up to 70% for other not-for-profit organizations, to sustain the ongoing operations of Canadian organizations offering professional arts training at the highest standards. Eligible activities include programs directly related to the professional training of artists for national or international careers in a recognized artistic discipline.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : May 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Professional arts training programs for emerging artists
- Training for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis participants preparing for arts careers
- Professional arts training for equity group participants preparing for arts careers
- Special initiatives in arts training with Indigenous, equity, or Francophonie partners
Documents Needed
- Online application form
- Projected budget template
- Audited financial statements for the last three years
- Board of directors list and roles
- Teaching program, schedule, syllabus, or curriculum
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations
- Equivalent Indigenous organizations serving First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities
- Equity organizations led by equity groups
Who is not eligible
- Federal organizations and Crown corporations
- Membership-based associations
- Universities, colleges, and CEGEPs cannot be directly funded
- Organizations focused on recreational, non-professional, or pre-professional arts training
- Organizations offering training through generative AI or in cultural and creative industries
Eligible expenses
- Artistic and administrative salaries, fees, and benefits
- Curriculum development and training delivery
- Student support
- Audition and admission fees
- Travel, marketing, fundraising, administrative, facility, maintenance, office supply, and professional development costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital infrastructure costs
- Expenses incurred before the application is received
- Community, local, recreational, non-professional, and pre-professional training
- Training delivered by generative AI
- Training related to cultural and creative industries
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit: excellence in teaching, training, coaching, vision, and curriculum
- Organizational stability: governance, financial capacity, and multiple revenue sources
- Impact: national significance, recognition, and graduate success
- Alignment with funding priorities for Indigenous and equity groups
- Independent expert assessments and consideration of activity, financial, and statistical reports
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility requirements
- Read the General Application Guidelines, Indigenous Organizations Guidelines, or Equity Organizations Guidelines, as appropriate
- Verify that your organization meets all eligibility requirements for your category
- Ensure your project activities align with eligible professional arts training criteria
2
Prepare supporting documents
- Collect all required supporting documents, such as budget template, audited financial statements, business or strategic plan, board member list, organizational chart, staff biographies, curriculum, and safety procedures
- Ensure all documents are up-to-date and complete according to application guidelines
3
Complete and upload the application
- Create or access your account on the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal
- Complete the online application form with all required information
- Upload all supporting documentation as requested
4
Review and finalize application
- Review your complete application and documents for accuracy
- Ensure all fields are filled and attachments conform to requirements
5
Submit the application online
- Submit the electronic application through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal before the deadline (May 15, 14:00 EST)
- Retain your confirmation of submission
6
Wait for funding decision
- Wait for assessment and communication of funding decision
- Be prepared to provide further information if requested by the program
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility first
- Eligible applications are evaluated by a review committee and compared with other applications
- Independent experts may assess artistic merit, stability, or relevance
- Applicants receive an automated confirmation of receipt
- Approved funding is issued as a contribution under a funding agreement, and a final report is required
Additional information
- Applications are limited to existing CATF recipients for 2026-2027.
- The application deadline is May 15, and late submissions are only extended to the next business day if the date falls on a weekend or holiday.
- You may submit only one application per deadline.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) Program
What is the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF)?
The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) provides financial support of up to 100% of eligible expenses for Indigenous and equity groups, and up to 70% for other not-for-profit organizations, to sustain the ongoing operations of Canadian organizations offering professional arts training at the highest standards. Eligible activities include programs directly related to the professional training of artists for national or international careers in a recognized artistic discipline.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was May 15, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) program?
To be eligible for the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) program, you must:
Must be a current CATF recipient
Must be a not-for-profit arts or Indigenous organization
Must provide professional arts training
What expenses are eligible under Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF)?
Professional arts training programs for emerging artists
Training for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis participants preparing for arts careers
Professional arts training for equity group participants preparing for arts careers
Special initiatives in arts training with Indigenous, equity, or Francophonie partners
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF)?
You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at fondsducanpoursecdesarts-canartstrainingfund@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-811-0055.
Where is the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) available?
The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) program is available across Canada.