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Source change captured:
Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program
Supports Ottawa youth pursuing careers in arts and culture
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Funding available
$ 2,000
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
No specific company or industry is eligible for this program, as it is intended exclusively for individuals and not for businesses or organizations.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Youth in Culture Program offers grants of up to $1,000 to support young individuals aged 18 to 30 in Ottawa as they pursue professional careers in arts, culture, or heritage. Eligible activities include creation and production projects, training opportunities, and mentorships that advance career development in these sectors.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
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
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Creation and production of arts, heritage, or cultural projects, such as visual arts, performances, research, and presentations.
- Participation in training opportunities, including masterclasses, workshops, residencies, and administration or management programs within the arts, heritage, cultural festival, or agricultural fair sectors.
- Engagement in mentorship programs, working with established cultural professionals, artists, or knowledge keepers to advance skills and career development in arts, heritage, or cultural fields.
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Youth in Culture application pages updated
The Youth in Culture program pages now show revised funding priorities and self-identification guidance, while the linked application-process and policy pages are no longer visible.
The Youth in Culture program page now includes a new Information for applicants section with expanded funding priorities for Indigenous and equity-seeking communities, plus added self-identification guidance for applicants who identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis. The linked Cultural Funding Policy, application process, and application materials pages are no longer visible and now show only an access/interruption notice, so the detailed application instructions, required materials, and supporting policy content are no longer available from those pages.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- No specific company or industry is eligible for this program, as it is intended exclusively for individuals and not for businesses or organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations, including collectives
- Businesses and companies (the program is only open to individual applicants)
- City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives
Eligible expenses
- Artist fees associated with the project.
- Living expenses related to project activities.
- Expenses for research, creation, production, and presentation of artistic, heritage, or cultural works.
- Costs for participation in masterclasses, workshops, residencies, or other training opportunities, including travel related to these activities.
- Fees for mentorship, including payments to mentors or knowledge keepers and expenses for language preservation projects.
Eligible geographic areas
- Residents of the City of Ottawa who have lived in Ottawa for at least one year prior to the application deadline date.
- Individuals from the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation living within a 150 km radius of Ottawa.
Selection criteria
- Relevance of the project in relation to the applicant’s previous cultural experiences.
- Strength of project goals and objectives, demonstrating a clear intent to pursue a career in arts, heritage, or culture.
- Benefit and impact of the project on the applicant’s professional career.
- Realistic project planning, including well-defined goals and timelines.
- Effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposed project budget.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Program Guidelines and Terms
- Read the Information for Applicants.
- Review the Terms and Conditions of the Youth in Culture Program.
- Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
- Draft responses to the listed application questions (merit, project description, timeline, résumé/bio, impact, budget planning).
- Gather all required documents, including your résumé or bio.
- If your project involves mentorship, obtain a letter of approval from your mentor and their résumé/bio.
- Select and prepare support material relevant to your project (e.g., brochures, photos, media coverage).
- Ensure all electronic materials are readable, follow submission rules for file naming, and include descriptions and necessary cue times for media files.
- Step 3: Draft Review (Optional)
- If desired, submit a draft application for feedback (prior to the specified date).
- Contact infoculture@ottawa.ca for assistance or to arrange an information session.
- Step 4: Complete Application via Online Portal
- Access the City of Ottawa’s online funding portal.
- You may complete the application in writing, audio, or video format.
- Fill in all fields and answer all mandatory questions.
- Upload all required documents, answers, and support material directly or provide URLs as required.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application, with all required supporting material, through the online portal by 4:00 pm on the deadline date.
- Step 6: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Await confirmation or follow-up from the Cultural Funding Support Unit.
- Contact infoculture@ottawa.ca for questions or assistance regarding your submission.
Additional information
- First-time applicants are encouraged to apply to this program.
- Submission formats include written, audio, or video applications through the online portal.
- Application deadlines are strictly enforced; late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Applicants may request feedback on draft applications in advance of the deadline.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program Program
What is the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program?
The Youth in Culture Program offers grants of up to $1,000 to support young individuals aged 18 to 30 in Ottawa as they pursue professional careers in arts, culture, or heritage. Eligible activities include creation and production projects, training opportunities, and mentorships that advance career development in these sectors.
How much funding can be received?
Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program Funds up to $2,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program program, you must:
Organizations, including collectives, are not eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program?
Artist fees associated with the project.
Living expenses related to project activities.
Expenses for research, creation, production, and presentation of artistic, heritage, or cultural works.
Costs for participation in masterclasses, workshops, residencies, or other training opportunities, including travel related to these activities.
Fees for mentorship, including payments to mentors or knowledge keepers and expenses for language preservation projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program?
You can contact City of Ottawa by email at infoculture@ottawa.ca.
Where is the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program available?
The Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program is a Grant and Funding