Digital Generator - part 2
Canada
Digital Generator empowers Canadian arts organizations to build digital capacity, transform operations, and achieve long-term sustainability with targeted funding and resources.
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Grant and Funding
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- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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- Canada Council for the arts (CCA)
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The Digital Generator grant supports Canadian arts groups, collectives, and organizations in enhancing their digital capacity to transform business models and operations. Eligible activities include hiring consultants to assess digital needs and implementing digital strategies, with funding for individual projects up to $50,000 and collaborative projects up to $100,000.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant include various types of applicants and the requirement for validation through the Canada Council portal.
- Artistic groups and collectives.
- Artistic organizations.
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups, collectives, and organizations.
- If currently receiving core grants, arts organizations are eligible.
- Profile must be created and validated by the Canada Council portal.
- Targeted funding for applicants self-identified as belonging to the Council’s designated priority groups: culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities.
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The Digital Generator grant is designed for artistic groups, collectives, and organizations based in Canada. Specific eligible types include:
- Artistic groups and collectives
- Artistic organizations
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups, collectives, and organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for the Digital Generator grant.
Here is a summary of the eligible expenses:
- Hiring external resources such as consultants or experts
- Activities to measure digital readiness and identify digital gaps
- Creating plans for leveraging digital opportunities and increasing digital public accessibility
- Increasing the digital skills of staff through workshops and training
- Conducting research or planning for shared digital resources
- Implementing tools, solutions, and strategies to transform operations and increase digital capacity
- Developing collaborative projects benefiting multiple groups or organizations
- Activities for system interoperability, API development, and customization of shared tools
- Developing collaborative networks and communities for digital transformation
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant include all regions within Canada. Applicants must be Canadian arts groups, collectives, or organizations.
- All regions within Canada
- Must be Canadian arts groups, collectives, or organizations
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The Digital Generator program includes specific evaluation and selection criteria to assess the suitability and impact of proposed projects. These criteria ensure that funding is awarded based on the project's alignment with digital capacity building and its potential for long-term sustainability and transformation.
- Alignment with the objectives of the Digital Generator program
- Clarity and feasibility of the proposed digital capacity building activities
- Potential impact on the organization’s digital transformation
- Quality and experience of the external consultants or experts involved (for Stream 1)
- Evidence of thorough planning and realistic budget
- Innovativeness of the proposed digital solutions or strategies (for Stream 2)
- Potential for collaborative impact and benefits to multiple groups or organizations (for collaborative projects in Stream 2)
- Equitable support for priority groups, such as culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an account on the Canada Council portal.
- Step 2: Submit one or more profiles for validation at least 30 days before you want to apply.
- Step 3: Ensure your eligibility based on the validated profile created in the portal.
- Step 4: For Stream 1, plan eligible activities such as hiring external resources or conducting assessments and plan creation.
- Step 5: For Stream 2, plan eligible activities such as implementing digital assessments and transformations.
- Step 6: Prepare your application by consulting the provided guidelines and application form.
- Step 7: Submit your application through the portal before the deadline: January 8, 2024, for Stream 1; anytime before September 1, 2024, for Stream 2.
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Additional information includes eligibility criteria, deadlines, and funding amounts.
- Eligibility is determined by a validated profile created in the Canada Council portal.
- Targeted funding is available for designated priority groups such as culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities.
- For Stream 1 grants, the deadline is January 8, 2024, with grants up to $40,000.
- For Stream 2 grants, applications are accepted until September 1, 2024, with grants up to $50,000 for single organizations and up to $100,000 for collaborative projects.
- Organizations currently receiving core grants are eligible to apply.
grant_single_labels|contact
digitalgenerator@canadacouncil.ca
Apply to this program
Digital Generator Grant
The Digital Generator is a short-term initiative aimed at enhancing the digital capacities of Canadian arts groups, collectives, and organizations. It offers two streams of funding to either hire external consultants for digital assessments or to implement digital strategies and tools to improve business operations.
Understanding the Digital Generator Grant
The Digital Generator Grant is an innovative program designed to support the digital transformation of Canadian arts groups, collectives, and organizations. This grant is part of a broader effort to enhance digital capacity and operational efficiency within the arts sector. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, arts organizations are under increasing pressure to adapt and integrate new technologies into their business models. This grant offers a structured pathway to achieving such integration, ensuring that arts organizations can not only survive but thrive in the digital age.
Key Objectives
The Digital Generator Grant has several primary objectives:
- Enhance Digital Capacity: Enable arts organizations to build robust digital capabilities that support their long-term sustainability.
- Transform Business Models: Aid in the redesign of business models to incorporate digital opportunities and efficiencies.
- Engage New Audiences: Utilize digital tools to engage with new and existing audiences, expanding the reach and impact of artistic work.
- Improve Operational Efficiency: Implement digital solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and increase organizational efficiency.
- Foster Collaboration: Promote collaboration and the development of networks and partnerships to share digital resources and expertise.
Grant Streams
The Digital Generator Grant is divided into two distinct streams, each catering to different stages of digital transformation:
Stream 1: Hiring External Consultants
This stream provides funding to hire external consultants or experts to undertake a range of activities aimed at assessing and planning digital initiatives. Key activities covered under Stream 1 include:
- Digital Readiness Assessment: Measure the digital readiness of an organization, identifying current strengths and areas for improvement.
- Digital Needs Assessment: Identify digital gaps and potential opportunities through assessments, audits, and consultations.
- Strategic Planning: Develop comprehensive plans for leveraging digital opportunities, including business model redesigns and strategic roadmaps.
- Accessibility Planning: Create plans to improve digital public accessibility and ensure compliance with standards like WCAG.
- Skills Development: Increase the digital skills of staff through tailored workshops, training, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Research and Governance Planning: Conduct research and planning for shared digital resources, governance, and collaborative efforts.
Stream 2: Implementing Digital Strategies
This stream supports the implementation of digital strategies and tools as recommended by external assessments or audits. Eligible activities include:
- Online Discoverability and Marketing: Improve discoverability through digital marketing, user analytics, and SEO optimization.
- Data Analytics and Business Intelligence: Utilize data analytics and business intelligence tools to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
- Digital Collaboration Tools: Implement tools that enhance team productivity and collaboration.
- Information Management: Adopt cloud computing and information management solutions to streamline data handling and storage.
- Digital Creation and Production: Enhance digital creation and production capabilities through new tools and technologies.
- E-Commerce Solutions: Develop e-commerce platforms and digital distribution solutions to generate new revenue streams.
- Accessibility Compliance: Ensure digital accessibility and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
- Cyber Security: Implement robust cyber security measures to protect digital assets and sensitive information.
- New Business Models: Develop and implement new business models to capitalize on digital opportunities.
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for the Digital Generator Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Types of Applicants: Eligible applicants include artistic groups and collectives, artistic organizations, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups, collectives, and organizations. Organizations receiving core grants are also eligible.
- Profile Validation: Applicants must create and submit a validated profile in the Canada Council’s portal at least 30 days before applying.
- Priority Groups: Targeted funding is available for applicants from designated priority groups, including culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities.
The application process for the Digital Generator Grant involves the following steps:
- Create an Account: Set up an account on the Canada Council portal and submit a profile for validation.
- Review Guidelines: Thoroughly review the application guidelines and ensure eligibility.
- Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form along with any required supporting documents.
- Consult Toolkit: Utilize the provided toolkit, which includes practical tools such as a digital maturity assessment tool, digital needs assessment tool, digital strategy tool, and service provider guide.
Deadline and Grant Amount
The deadlines and grant amounts for each stream are as follows:
- Stream 1: The application deadline is January 8, 2024, with grants of up to $40,000.
- Stream 2: Applications can be submitted any time before the project start date, with a final deadline of September 1, 2024. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects benefiting a single organization, while collaborative projects benefiting multiple organizations can receive up to $100,000.
Conclusion
The Digital Generator Grant represents a significant opportunity for Canadian arts groups, collectives, and organizations to enhance their digital capabilities and transform their operations. By providing funding for both the assessment and implementation of digital strategies, this grant supports organizations in navigating the digital landscape and achieving long-term sustainability. Whether you're just beginning to explore digital opportunities or are ready to implement advanced digital solutions, the Digital Generator Grant can provide the resources and support needed to succeed. If you have any questions or need assistance with your application, contact the Canada Council for support and guidance.
