Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts

Q: How much funding can be received?

Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts?

Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts is funded by Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)

Q: Who is eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts program?

To be eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts program, you must: • Must be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization. • Must have at least 5 years of continuous professional programming accessible to the public. • Must have total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts?

You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).

Q: Where is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts available?

The Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Grants for organizations promoting the arts

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : January 15, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Get a grant covering up to 50% of your total revenues, if your organization facilitates interactions among artists and connections with the public.

Activities funded

This grant supports the pivotal activities of Canadian arts organizations that nurture artistic practices and connect artists with the public. Eligible projects focus on artistic programming, public outreach, and supporting the Canadian arts sector.

Development and promotion of artistic programming.
Building public outreach to enhance audience engagement.
Supporting artistic practice across various art forms.
Facilitating the growth and interaction of the Canadian arts sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Organizing a bilingual theatre festival to promote cultural diversity

$ 35,000

Publishing an anthology of contemporary Canadian poetry with an online promotion campaign

$ 55,000

Hosting a week-long music festival celebrating Indigenous artists

$ 40,000

Running an artist-in-residence program to foster emerging artists

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, organizations must meet specific administrative, programming, and financial criteria.

Be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.
Work with a professional staff.
Have at least 5 years of continuous professional programming that is accessible to the public.
Have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years, although some exceptions may be considered.
Offer at least 1 public presentation, exhibition, production, or program in their region annually.
Presently receive core support from this component, or have received 1 composite grant or 2 Canada Council project grants in the last 5 years, excluding certain specified components and programs.
If applying for the first time, have had a conversation with a Program Officer to confirm eligibility.
Your eligibility is determined by the validated profile created in the application portal.

Who is eligible?

To apply for the Artistic Catalysts component of Engage and Sustain, applicants must be Canadian arts organizations that have an impact on artistic practices and cultural development in their community. Eligibility requires organizations to:- Be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.- Work with a professional staff.- Have at least 5 years of continuous professional programming accessible to the public.- Offer at least one public presentation, exhibition, production, or program annually in the region.- Have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years, with some exceptions considered.- Either currently receive core support from this component, or have received one composite grant or two project grants from the Canada Council in the past 5 years, excluding certain other components.Applicants need to validate their profile on the application portal 30 days before applying and register with the Canadian Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC) if applicable.

Eligible expenses

All expenses related to supporting artistic programming, public outreach, and artistic practice activities are eligible.

Costs associated with developing and promoting artistic programming.
Expenditures for building public outreach.
Funding for supporting artistic practice, other art forms, and the Canadian arts sector.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant does not specify eligible geographical areas for applicants, implying that it is open to arts organizations across Canada that meet the detailed eligibility criteria.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific weighted criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and foster artistic development and engagement.

Artistic Merit (50%): Minimum score of 39 out of 50 for an increase or first-time grant; minimum score of 31.5 to maintain current funding level.
The clarity of your organization’s artistic vision and the alignment of your programming with this vision.
The artistic quality of your organization’s programming.
Your commitment to the development of Canadian artists and Canadian work.
Engagement (30%): Minimum score of 21 out of 30 for an increase or first-time grant; minimum score of 18.5 to maintain current funding level.
The impact of your organization’s programming and strategies for deepening relationships with a broad and diverse public as related to your mission.
A commitment to reflecting the diversity of your geographic community or region, particularly regarding the inclusion and engagement of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, racialized groups, people who are Deaf or have disabilities, and official language minority communities.
Your contribution towards supporting artistic practice and the arts sector.
A commitment to advancing gender parity.
Resilience (20%): Minimum score of 15 out of 20 for an increase or first-time grant; minimum score of 10 to maintain current funding level.
Your organizational capacity and experience including organizational structure, governance and planning.
The professional working conditions, including measures to ensure a safe working environment for those involved in your organization’s activities.
Financial health and effective financial planning, including the efficient use of resources.

How to apply

Create and Validate Profile

Create an account and submit a profile for validation at least 30 days before applying.
Ensure your profile is validated to establish eligibility to apply.

Contact Program Officer

If you receive support from another component, contact your Program Officer to confirm eligibility.
Discuss your eligibility for core funding and CADAC registration requirements.

Register with CADAC

Prepare Application

Gather required documents like artistic vision, financial health, programming details, and key policies.
Prepare a translation of your application, if applicable, or request Council arranged translation.

Submit Application

Access the portal, fill out the grant application form, and upload all required documents.
Ensure submission by the deadline: January 15, 2025.

Confirmation and Reporting

Upon successful application, complete a Grant Acceptance Form to initiate payment.
Prepare to submit follow-up reports and financial statements as required.

Additional information

Additional relevant information for applicants includes:

Applicants must register their organization with CADAC (Canadian Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada) to submit required financial and statistical information.
A separate email application is not allowed; applications must be submitted through the portal.
First-time applicants must have a conversation with a Program Officer to confirm eligibility.
The grant reimburses eligible translation expenses for applications, but not internal translations by the organization's employees.
Applicants must submit a completed "Translation Expenses Reimbursement Application Form" if seeking reimbursement for translation expenses.
Applicants need to submit CADAC data, including recent financial statements, and prepare a deficit reduction plan if required.
Types of support materials required include samples of recent programming and the organization's most recent respectful workplace/anti-harassment policy.
If awarded the grant, organizations must complete a Grant Acceptance Form to begin receiving funds.
Quarterly or annual reports may be required, detailing impacts and financial standings.

Documents and links

Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts. 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.