Culture Funding - Arts funding program

Who is eligible?

• Professional artistic organizations established as non-profit associations
• Collectives of professional artists not established as a company
• Non-artistic non-profit organizations in partnership with a professional artistic organization or a professional artist
• Professional organizations for the distribution of literature, publishers of books and magazines
• Choirs, musical groups, orchestras, ensembles, theater troupes, dance troupes, professional opera and musical theater companies
• Public galleries, self-managed artist centers, film or video organizations or festivals, collectives of artists or curators
• Professional artistic service organizations and artistic installations

Who is not eligible

• Government agencies and for-profit organizations.
• Organizations whose activities fall under other government departments, such as school boards, hospitals, universities, social services, military programs, or business improvement associations.
• Political parties.
• Organizations whose main purpose is fundraising for third parties.
• Organizations whose activities are solely for their membership or require participation in religious activities.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees and contracts for artists, instructors, or educators engaged in arts activities.
• Technical support and services directly related to the project (such as production costs).
• Promotional and marketing costs for artistic programming, events, or festivals.
• Expenses for the presentation, dissemination, exhibition, or production of artistic works.
• Support services for the development and delivery of arts training and education.

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Ottawa
• Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation

• Artistic merit, including fulfillment of mandate, direction and goals, qualified artistic leadership, and innovation within the artistic discipline.
• Community impact, such as the level of support to local artists, response to audiences, strength of partnerships, and engagement with local equity-seeking communities.
• Viability of the project, including planning and evaluation, governance and leadership structure, fiscal responsibility and realistic budgeting, fundraising initiative, and demonstrated financial need.
• Appropriate and effective marketing and promotion strategies.

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines and Terms
  • Read the Program Guidelines and the Terms and Conditions for the relevant funding stream.
  • Refer to these documents while preparing your application.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
  • Draft written responses to all mandatory application questions.
  • Gather required documents, such as approved meeting minutes, biographies or CVs of artistic leaders, board or collective member list with contact information, project or operating budget (with notes), approved financial statements, certificate of insurance (for operating streams), and support material (max 6 samples).
  • First-time applicants must include incorporation documents or relevant partnership information if applicable.
  • For collectives, include each member's professional arts CV and, if relevant, steering committee details.
  • Prepare all documents in advance and consider drafting answers in a word processor for ease of editing.
• Step 3: Draft Review and Support (Optional)
  • Contact your Cultural Funding Officer if you are a first-time applicant.
  • Request a draft review of your application up to two weeks before the deadline.
  • Request assistance or accessibility accommodations if needed, providing advance notice.
• Step 4: Attend Information Session (Optional)
  • Participate in a virtual Cultural Funding Support Unit information session for additional guidance.
• Step 5: Complete Application in Online Portal
  • Access the application through the City of Ottawa’s Online Portal (application opens two months prior to deadline).
  • Fill out all application fields and upload required and supporting documents.
  • Test all electronic materials for readability and ensure that support material is relevant and accessible.
• Step 6: Submit Application
  • Submit the complete application, including all required documents, through the online portal by 4 pm on the designated deadline.
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Retain confirmation of submission for your records.
• Step 7: Await Evaluation and Decisions
  • Applications will be reviewed by a peer assessment committee.
  • Applicants may be contacted for clarification or additional information if necessary.
• Step 8: Register for Direct Deposit (Optional but Recommended)
  • Complete the Direct Deposit Form and submit it according to city instructions to avoid payment delays if funding is awarded.

• Applications must be submitted through the online portal by 4 pm on the deadline date; late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Grant writing assistance and accessibility accommodations are available by advance request.
• Submission of support materials (up to 6 samples) is required, with strict file format and upload guidelines.
• Applicants must submit a final report on awarded funding to remain eligible for future grants.