Closed
Source verified July 30, 2026
Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists
Supports artists creating and producing new works
Funding available
$ 15,000
Deadline
May 27, 2026
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Individual emerging, mid-career, and established artists in the literary, visual, media, interdisciplinary and performing arts
See full eligibility
Overview
The Creation and production fund for artists supports individual artists in Ottawa to develop and complete new artistic work. Creation projects can receive up to $10,000 and production projects up to $15,000 for literary, visual, media, interdisciplinary, and performing arts.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ottawa
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and realization of new artistic work, including research, experimentation, writing, composing, rehearsing, or other activities that lead to the creation of an original piece
- Preparation and presentation of completed artistic work, including staging performances, mounting exhibitions, recording, filming, or other activities that bring finished work to audiences
- Completion of works in progress
Documents Needed
- Artistic résumé
- Biographies or CVs of collaborators, if applicable
- Budget
- Support material, 6 samples max
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individual emerging, mid-career, and established artists in the literary, visual, media, interdisciplinary and performing arts
Who is not eligible
- Collectives, organizations, and groups cannot apply (only individual artists are eligible).
- Producers and presenters are not eligible for this fund.
- Managers or agents applying on behalf of artists, ensembles, groups, or bands are not eligible.
- Cover bands and projects involving the manufacture and distribution of products in multiple copies are not eligible.
- Businesses or organizations applying for commercial purposes, fundraising, or arts education activities are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Your own time and payment for yourself and collaborators, including artist, mentor, or administration fees
- Cost-of-living expenses for creation projects, such as rent, food, and caregiving
- Supplies or materials costs and studio rental fees for creation projects
- Materials, technical or equipment expenses, venue rental, and insurance for production projects
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Marketing or promotional costs
- Commercialization expenses such as publishing, framing, and duplication
- Music expenses such as graphics, album artwork, manufacture and distribution of a product in multiple copies, self-promotion or marketing, album launches, purchase of instruments, equipment or software, and expenses related to videography, advertising, promotions, distribution, PR fees, touring, photoshoots, photos for cover art, and graphic design/album artwork
- Visual arts costs associated with mounting an exhibition, art book publications, fees to participate in an exhibition or show, venue rentals for exhibitions, and residency expenses
- Theatre and dance video documentation; film, video and interdisciplinary production costs; literary arts costs associated with publication of a book
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Ottawa residents
- Anishinabe Algonquin artists living within a 150 km radius of Ottawa
- Residents of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit, including the strength of the proposed body of work and its relationship to previous work.
- Strength of artistic vision and goals, as well as artistic excellence and innovation.
- Technical competence and artistic impact of the project.
- Effectiveness of planning, including the viability of the project and realistic budgeting.
- Track record of the applicant and the contribution to the artistic discipline.
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact a Cultural Funding Officer
- If you are a first-time applicant, reach out to a Cultural Funding Officer to discuss your eligibility and the application process.
- Step 2: Review Program Guidelines and Terms
- Read the Program Guidelines in detail.
- Review the Terms and Conditions of the program.
- Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
- Prepare responses to all application questions, noting word limits.
- Compile all required documents, including your artistic résumé, budget, and relevant support materials (maximum 6 samples), tailored to your discipline.
- Request letters or documents for collaborators if relevant.
- Use the designated Excel budget template for creation or production projects, or request an accessible form if needed.
- Review the 'Support material by discipline' guidance to ensure proper materials are prepared.
- Step 4: Draft Application Review (Optional)
- Submit a draft application for review by a Cultural Funding Officer up to 2 weeks prior to the deadline if you wish feedback or assistance.
- Request accessibility support early if required.
- Step 5: Complete the Online Application
- Fill in the online application form via the Cultural Funding Support Unit's Online Portal.
- Upload all supporting documents as specified.
- Apply for direct deposit to avoid delays in funding payments.
- Step 6: Submit the Application
- Ensure your application is complete and all required materials are uploaded, then submit it on the Online Portal by 4 pm on the applicable deadline date.
- Step 7: Confirmation and Notification
- Monitor your email for a confirmation of submission and, eventually, for funding decisions (within approximately six months).
Additional information
- There are two application deadlines per year, and applicants can only submit to one deadline each year.
- Application results are communicated by email within six months of the deadline; there is no appeal of funding decisions except in cases of procedural error.
- Support material total review time is limited to seven minutes for audio and video content per application—cue times must be provided.
- Recipients must submit a final report detailing the use of funds, and failure to do so will render the applicant ineligible for future funding.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists Program
What is the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists?
The Creation and production fund for artists supports individual artists in Ottawa to develop and complete new artistic work. Creation projects can receive up to $10,000 and production projects up to $15,000 for literary, visual, media, interdisciplinary, and performing arts.
How much funding can be received?
Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists program, you must:
The project must be for the creation and production of new work or the completion of works in progress.
Production projects must include the applicant's own independent work.
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists?
Development and realization of new artistic work, including research, experimentation, writing, composing, rehearsing, or other activities that lead to the creation of an original piece
Preparation and presentation of completed artistic work, including staging performances, mounting exhibitions, recording, filming, or other activities that bring finished work to audiences
Completion of works in progress
Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists?
You can contact City of Ottawa by email at infoculture@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613.580.2424.
Where is the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists available?
The Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Funding - Creation and production fund for artists is a Grant and Funding