Closed
Cultural Funding - Youth in Culture Program
Supports Ottawa youth pursuing careers in arts and culture
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000
Timeline
- Closing date : May 6, 2026
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : May 6, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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
- 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.
Official resources
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
1
Prepare and review eligibility
- Read the Program Guidelines and Terms and Conditions
- Contact infoculture@ottawa.ca if you have any questions about eligibility or the application process
- Participate in a virtual information session if desired
2
Develop project and collect documents
- Develop your project idea related to arts, culture, or heritage
- Collect necessary documents such as résumé/bio and support materials
- For mentorships, obtain letter and résumé from your mentor
3
Complete application form
- Complete the application questions in writing or by recording
- Observe word count restrictions for each response
- Attach all required materials including support documents and mentor letter if applicable
4
Prepare and upload support materials
- Prepare all support material for upload to the online portal
- Ensure electronic files are readable and correctly labeled
- Test all materials and review time constraints for jurors (7-minute maximum for audio/video)
5
Submit application before deadline
- Submit your complete application through the online portal before the deadline
- Ensure all required fields, attachments, and materials are included
6
Await results of evaluation
- Wait for the evaluation of your application by a peer assessment committee
- Notification of results will follow review
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 $1,000 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?
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.
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