Open
Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations
Money for artistic activities
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 23, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
If you’re an artistic organization, you could get a grant equal to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years, to pay for research, creation, and production through to dissemination.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Conduct research and development activities
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 23, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- General public
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Artist-Driven Organizations component of the Explore and Create program is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. No specific geographical restrictions within Canada are mentioned, so it can be inferred that the grant is open to eligible organizations across Canada.
- Entities based anywhere in Canada.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Types of potential applicants to the Artist-Driven Organizations component of Explore and Create include artistic organizations that are driven by the vision of artistic leaders or a group of artists. These organizations must support the development and dissemination of works by Canadian artists. To be eligible, an organization must:- Currently receive core (operating) support from this component or have received one composite grant or two Canada Council project grants in the last five years.- Be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.- Work with a professional staff.- Have at least five years of continuous professional artistic activities that are accessible to the public.- Have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last three years (some exceptions may be considered).Eligible expenses
The Artist-Driven Organizations component of the Explore and Create program offers funding to support the artistic processes of Canadian arts organizations. This includes a wide range of activities from initial research to the dissemination of artistic works.
- Artistic development of new projects.
- Creative research to support innovative artistic initiatives.
- Creation of new artistic works.
- Production of artistic projects for presentation to the public.
- Dissemination of artistic works to broader audiences.
Eligible geographic areas
The grant covers activities aimed at developing and disseminating artistic works by Canadian artists.
- Artistic development expenditures.
- Creative research costs.
- Creation-related expenses.
- Production expenses.
- Dissemination costs.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Most core grant applications must be translated into French or English. Please see guidelines for details and the translation deadline date.
- An organization that has undergone a change in key artistic leadership and is currently receiving core support may be treated as a new applicant, with no commitment to maintaining the organization’s current level of funding.
- Grants fund the activities of organizations mandated to support the creative process of artists, stimulating the emergence of new artistic voices.
- If your organization receives core support from another component or has undergone a recent change in leadership, you must contact your Program Officer before applying.
- The grant can cover up to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years.
- Total revenues must have exceeded $75,000 in each of the last 3 years, although some exceptions may be considered.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations. 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.
What is the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations?
If you’re an artistic organization, you could get a grant equal to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years, to pay for research, creation, and production through to dissemination.
How much funding can be received?
Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations program?
To be eligible for the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations program, you must:
The organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization.
It must have at least 5 years of continuous professional artistic activities that are accessible to the public.
It should have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years (some exceptions may be considered).
What expenses are eligible under Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations?
The Artist-Driven Organizations component of the Explore and Create program is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. No specific geographical restrictions within Canada are mentioned, so it can be inferred that the grant is open to eligible organizations across Canada. Entities based anywhere in Canada.
Who can I contact for more information about the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).
Where is the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations available?
The Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations program is available across Canada.
Is the Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Explore and Create — Artist-Driven Organizations is a Grant and Funding