Explore and Create — Research and Creation

Q: How much funding can be received?

Explore and Create — Research and Creation Funds up to 25000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Explore and Create — Research and Creation a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Explore and Create — Research and Creation is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Explore and Create — Research and Creation?

Explore and Create — Research and Creation is funded by Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)

Q: Who is eligible for the Explore and Create — Research and Creation program?

To be eligible for the Explore and Create — Research and Creation program, you must: • Applicants can include artists, curators, writers, artistic groups and collectives, and artistic organizations. • Eligibility is determined by a validated profile created in the application portal. • Organizations currently receiving core (operating) grants cannot apply.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Explore and Create — Research and Creation?

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

Q: Where is the Explore and Create — Research and Creation available?

The Explore and Create — Research and Creation program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Explore and Create — Research and Creation program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Explore and Create — Research and Creation program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Grant to begin the creative process

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $25,000

Timeline

Open Date : September 23, 2020
Closing date : October 4, 2023

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

If you’re an artist, curator, writer, or part of an artist group or collective, you could get up to $25,000 to pay for creative research, creation, and product development.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant offers financial support to assist in the early stages of the creative process for artists, artistic groups, and organizations in Canada.

Provides up to $25,000 in support for eligible projects.
Does not fund activities occurring prior to the project start date.
Cannot be combined with funding from other Canada Council programs.
Excludes organizations already receiving core operating grants.

Activities funded

The Research and Creation component of the Explore and Create grant is designed to support the foundational stages of the creative process for artists in Canada. Eligible projects under this grant focus on facilitating creative research, initiating the creation of new works, and advancing project development, including participating in residencies.

Support for creative research that forms the basis for new artistic projects.
Development and creation of new artistic works and concepts.
Project development activities, such as art residencies, aimed at refining and advancing artistic concepts.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 21,000

A General Partnership will orchestrate a public art installation celebrating local maritime history

$ 17,000

A writer's retreat focusing on the development of new literary works about climate change

$ 17,000

A nonprofit will create a contemporary dance performance inspired by urban life

$ 20,000

A social enterprise develops a mobile art studio for underserved communities

$ 15,000

An artist collective will conduct a series of creative research workshops to explore indigenous art forms

$ 25,000

A for-profit company will develop an interactive art exhibit exploring virtual reality

Eligibility

The eligibility for this grant is based on specific criteria related to the applicant's profile and activities proposed.

Applicants must be Canadian artists, curators, writers, artistic groups, collectives, or artistic organizations.
The applicant's eligibility is determined by a validated profile created in the portal.
Organizations currently receiving core (operating) grants cannot apply to this component.

Who is eligible?

Artists, artistic groups, and arts organizations in Canada may apply for this grant. The specific eligibility is determined through a validated profile on the application portal. Potential applicants include:- Artists, curators, and writers- Artistic groups and collectives- Artistic organizationsOrganizations currently receiving core (operating) grants are not eligible to apply for this component.

Who is not eligible

There are specific restrictions on who can apply for this grant, targeting the main activity and funding status of the organization. The grant aims to focus support on the creative process and organizations currently receiving other forms of core funding are excluded.

Organizations presently receiving core (operating) grants from Canada Council.
Applicants attempting to fund activities that have commenced prior to the project start date.
Projects already receiving funding from another Canada Council program for the same activities.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports the initial stages of the creative process for Canadian artists, artistic groups, and organizations. It focuses on activities that foster creative research, creation, and project development.

Creative research initiatives.
Artistic creation projects.
Project development, including artists' residencies.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is managed by the Canada Council for the Arts, but there is no specific mention of eligible geographical areas within Canada for applicants. Therefore, eligibility is likely dependent on the applicant’s alignment with the grant objectives rather than geographical location.

Selection criteria

Evaluation and Selection Criteria:

Demonstration of creative research and innovation in the proposed project
Feasibility and potential impact of the creative work
Clarity and coherence of the project proposal
Artistic merit and potential for artistic development

How to apply

Create an Account

Access the application portal designated by the funding program.
Create an account and ensure all your information is accurate.

Profile Submission

Submit one or more profiles for validation at least 30 days prior to your intended application date.
Wait for confirmation that your profile has been validated.

Application Preparation

Review the guidelines and application form available on the portal.
Prepare the necessary documents, including budget forms and any required appendices.
Ensure that the activities you are applying for are eligible and not funded by another Canada Council program.

Submit Application

Access the application form on the portal.
Complete the online form, ensuring all details are precise and all uploaded documents meet requirements.
Submit the application through the portal.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

You may qualify for Application Assistance if you encounter difficulties and self-identify as an artist who is Deaf, hard of hearing, has a disability, lives with mental illness, or as a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis artist facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers.
It is essential to create an account and submit your profile for validation at least 30 days before the intended application date.
The application can be submitted any time before the start date of the project or the part of the project for which you seek funding.
The maximum grant amount available is up to $25,000.
A consultation with an officer is available for additional inquiries or guidance.

Documents and links

Explore and Create — Research and Creation

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Explore and Create — Research and Creation Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Explore and Create — Research and Creation. 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.