Closed
Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs
Supports Ottawa arts, culture festivals, and agricultural fairs annually
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : September 20, 2025
- Closing date : November 20, 2025
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Cultural Funding – Major Arts, Cultural Festivals, Agricultural Fairs program by the City of Ottawa provides annual and multi-year operating funding to support major local arts festivals, cultural festivals, and agricultural fairs that celebrate Ottawa’s artistic and rural communities. The program funds eligible not-for-profit organizations hosting multi-day events with city-wide impact, focusing on artistic, cultural, or agricultural programming but does not specify a maximum funding amount.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : September 20, 2025
- Closing date : November 20, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ottawa
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- $ 100,000 minimum revenue
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
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
- Organization and delivery of major arts festivals that showcase one or more artistic disciplines such as dance, music, theatre, literary arts, media arts, or visual arts.
- Production of major cultural festivals highlighting creative expression from local cultural communities, including those representing culturally diverse or Indigenous groups.
- Staging of significant agricultural fairs that celebrate rural community heritage and provide public engagement opportunities.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations incorporated within the city of Ottawa, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
- Organizations producing major arts festivals (dance, music, theatre, literary arts, media and/or visual art)
- Organizations producing major cultural festivals that represent local cultural, culturally diverse, or Indigenous communities
- Not-for-profit agricultural societies recognized by the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies that organize major agricultural fairs
Who is not eligible
- Individuals (not organizations).
- Crown corporations and government agencies.
- Educational and religious institutions.
- For-profit organizations or ventures.
- Political parties.
- Organizations whose main mandate is to present sporting events or tournaments.
- Organizations with operational headquarters outside the city of Ottawa, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.
- Organizations receiving operating funding through other City of Ottawa Cultural Funding Support Unit programs.
- Organizations whose activities fall under the responsibility of other government divisions (e.g. school boards, social services, hospitals, business improvement associations, universities, military programs).
Eligible expenses
- Cash operating expenses related to the organization of the festival or fair (staff salaries, artists' fees, event logistics, technical services, artistic and cultural programming, compensation for collaborators and other costs associated with the conduct and promotion of the event).
- Costs related to support and technical services for participating artists and creators.
- Promotion and marketing costs for the festival or fair.
- Expenses for the recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteers involved in the organization.
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Ottawa
- Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
- Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Additional information
- The application portal opens two months before the stated deadline.
- All required documentation must be submitted online; late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Grant recipients must submit a final report on funded activities to maintain eligibility for future funding.
- The ability to move between funding categories is subject to approval by the Cultural Funding Support Unit.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs. 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 Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs?
The Cultural Funding – Major Arts, Cultural Festivals, Agricultural Fairs program by the City of Ottawa provides annual and multi-year operating funding to support major local arts festivals, cultural festivals, and agricultural fairs that celebrate Ottawa’s artistic and rural communities. The program funds eligible not-for-profit organizations hosting multi-day events with city-wide impact, focusing on artistic, cultural, or agricultural programming but does not specify a maximum funding amount.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was November 20, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs program, you must:
Must be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.
Must have a year-round organizational presence in Ottawa, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.
Must have audited financial statements for the last completed fiscal year.
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs?
Organization and delivery of major arts festivals that showcase one or more artistic disciplines such as dance, music, theatre, literary arts, media arts, or visual arts.
Production of major cultural festivals highlighting creative expression from local cultural communities, including those representing culturally diverse or Indigenous groups.
Staging of significant agricultural fairs that celebrate rural community heritage and provide public engagement opportunities.
Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs?
You can contact City of Ottawa by email at adrija.klicius@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613.580.2424.
Where is the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs available?
The Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Funding - Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs is a Grant and Funding