Open
Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists
Money for artists’ professional development
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 9, 2020
Location
Canada
Overview
If you’re an artist, curator or part of an artist group or collective, you could get up to $10,000 towards career advancement opportunities, like training, mentorship, or workshops.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : November 9, 2020
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
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
- Mentorship programs to enhance artistic and professional skills.
- Internship opportunities to gain practical experience in the arts sector.
- Apprenticeships focused on hands-on learning in an artistic discipline.
- Specialized training sessions to develop new competencies.
- Participation in workshops designed for career development in the arts.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Artists and curators
- Artistic groups
- Artistic collectives
Who is not eligible
- Companies seeking funding for activities that have already started before the project start date.
- Organizations applying for funding for activities already supported by another Canada Council program.
- Applicants intending to undertake residencies or self-directed projects focused primarily on creation, rather than professional development.
Eligible expenses
- Costs associated with mentorships, internships, and apprenticeships.
- Fees for specialized training and participation in workshops.
- Travel costs calculated according to fixed travel rates for project-related activities.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian artists and artistic groups located in Canada.
Additional information
- Applicants requiring assistance due to disabilities, mental illness, or cultural/language barriers may be eligible for Application Assistance to help with the application process.
- Profile validation in the portal must be completed at least 30 days before applying.
- Deadlines and notification timelines are provided on a dedicated page linked in the guidelines.
- Budget forms and application appendices are available as resources to support the application.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists. 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 — Professional Development for Artists?
If you’re an artist, curator or part of an artist group or collective, you could get up to $10,000 towards career advancement opportunities, like training, mentorship, or workshops.
How much funding can be received?
Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists program?
To be eligible for the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists program, you must:
No eligibility criteria specified for for-profit businesses.
What expenses are eligible under Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists?
Mentorship programs to enhance artistic and professional skills.
Internship opportunities to gain practical experience in the arts sector.
Apprenticeships focused on hands-on learning in an artistic discipline.
Specialized training sessions to develop new competencies.
Participation in workshops designed for career development in the arts.
Who can I contact for more information about the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).
Where is the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists available?
The Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists program is available across Canada.
Is the Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Explore and Create — Professional Development for Artists is a Grant and Funding