Archived
Source verified June 8, 2026
Explore and Create — Concept to Realization
Funding for artistic creation and public sharing
Latest source updateLast Update: April 26, 2026Latest change: The grant now includes detailed Artistic Creation information, including who can apply, eligible activities, assessment criteria, funding limits, and deadlines.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 26, 2026
Latest change: The grant now includes detailed Artistic Creation information, including who can apply, eligible activities, assessment criteria, funding limits, and deadlines.
Explore and Create updated for Artistic Creation
Explore and Create now shows a detailed Artistic Creation funding opportunity in place of the former Concept to Realization-focused content. The new content adds applicant categories, eligible and ineligible activities, assessment criteria, required information, funding limits, and deadline information. This is a major scope and eligibility update because the program now clearly defines who can apply and what kinds of projects and activities are supported. The application guidance and funding terms are also more specific than before.
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
April 17, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
The program supports artistic research, experimentation, creation, production and public sharing of artistic work. Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations can apply for project grants of up to $75,000 per application, or up to $150,000 per calendar year.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Artistic research and experimentation.
- Creation and production of artistic work.
- Collaboration between artists and community members.
- Public sharing of artistic work, including performances, exhibitions, screenings, readings and digital dissemination.
Documents Needed
- Arts and cultural CV or resume.
- Examples of artistic work.
- Support letters or agreements from partners or collaborators, if applicable.
- Short biographies or CVs of key artists or collaborators, if applicable.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Artists or arts workers
- Artistic groups
- Artistic organizations
- Business cultural connectors
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis artists or arts/cultural workers
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis cultural carriers
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis for-profit organizations
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis groups or collectives
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis not-for-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Organizations currently receiving core grants.
- Applicants with a New/Early Career Artist profile, for composite grants.
- Projects mainly focused on translation, public sharing or touring without creation.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees and compensation for project work.
- Equipment purchases needed for the activity, up to $2,000 per item and 15% of the requested amount in total.
- Travel costs related to the project.
- Safety, child care and public accessibility expenses linked to the activity.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects mainly focused on public sharing, dissemination or touring without a creation component.
- Translation projects.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit: artistic quality, rationale and potential outcomes. Minimum score: 35/50.
- Impact: contribution to artistic development and benefit to artists, participants, audiences and communities. Minimum score: 15/30.
- Feasibility: capacity, realistic timeline and efficient use of resources. Minimum score: 10/20.
- Respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices (RECAP/PCARE) must be met.
How to apply
- Step 1: Register on the portal
- Create an account and submit a profile for validation at least 30 days before applying.
- Step 2: Prepare application materials
- Prepare the project description, timeline, budget and required support material.
- Collect partner letters or agreements, if applicable.
- Step 3: Complete the online application
- Fill out the application form in the portal and attach the required documents.
- Step 4: Submit through the portal
- Review the application and submit it before the applicable deadline.
- Step 5: After submission
- Monitor the portal for confirmation and the decision notice.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a peer assessment committee.
- Files are assessed against artistic, impact and feasibility criteria, plus respectful and ethical cultural practices.
- Notification of results is usually sent within 5 months of submission.
- If approved, applicants must complete a Grant Acceptance Form before payment.
Additional information
- You can only apply once per calendar year.
- Portal registration must be completed at least 30 days before applying.
- Successful applicants must complete a Grant Acceptance Form before payment.
- Composite grant recipients must submit annual project updates and a final report.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization Program
What is the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization?
The program supports artistic research, experimentation, creation, production and public sharing of artistic work. Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations can apply for project grants of up to $75,000 per application, or up to $150,000 per calendar year.
How much funding can be received?
Explore and Create — Concept to Realization Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization program?
To be eligible for the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization program, you must:
Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations
Projects centered on creation
No current core-grant recipients
What expenses are eligible under Explore and Create — Concept to Realization?
Artistic research and experimentation.
Creation and production of artistic work.
Collaboration between artists and community members.
Public sharing of artistic work, including performances, exhibitions, screenings, readings and digital dissemination.
Who can I contact for more information about the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).
Where is the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization available?
The Explore and Create — Concept to Realization program is available across Canada.
Is the Explore and Create — Concept to Realization a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Explore and Create — Concept to Realization is a Grant and Funding