Closed
Operate - Activate
Operating support for arts organizations
Offered by Official source: artsns.ca
Arts Nova Scotia
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 25
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $25,000 annually in operating support for artist-driven organizations and collectives in Nova Scotia. It supports core creation, production, presentation, and administrative activities over a two-year funding cycle.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $25
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- $ 40,000 maximum revenue
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
- Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
- Scope
- Provincial
Receipt of requests is now closed
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Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit arts organizations
- Not-for-profit cooperatives
- Artist collectives
- Organizations producing or presenting artistic performances and events
Who is not eligible
- Private or for-profit entities
- Organizations receiving operating assistance from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
- Organizations whose primary mandate is education and/or training
- Organizations that receive Operate – Sustain funding
- Organizations submitting incomplete applications
Eligible expenses
- Core creation, production, presentation, and administrative costs
- Professional fees for artists
- Financial reporting and related administrative support
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Volunteer hours from non-professional volunteers
- Core staff salaries as in-kind contributions
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Activities funded
- Ongoing artistic creation, production, and presentation
- Administrative operations supporting artist-driven organizations and collectives
- Work by organizations with part-time or seasonal staff
How to apply
- Step 1: Review application materials
- Read the application checklist and program instructions.
- Prepare the required written responses, budget, and support material.
- Step 2: Complete the application form
- Fill out the online application form.
- Download a PDF copy of the completed form for your records.
- Step 3: Submit by email
- Email the required documents to artsnssubmissions@novascotia.ca.
- Send one application per email and use the requested subject line format.
- Do not send cloud-based attachments or duplicate hard copies.
- Step 4: Confirm submission
- Look for the automatic confirmation reply.
- Contact the program officer if confirmation is not received within one week.
Documents Needed
- Application materials must include mandatory components
- Incomplete applications can be deemed ineligible
- Applicants may be asked to re-send a document if there is a simple error with attached materials
Selection criteria
- Artistic impact, worth 50%
- Relevance and community impact, worth 30%
- Organizational effectiveness, worth 20%
- Priority consideration for equity-deserving organizations and collectives
Processing and Agreement
- Extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances beyond the applicant’s control
- Applicants must email the program officer to request an extension before 9am on the day of the deadline
- Requests are reviewed by staff, and if acceptable, an extension will be granted in writing
- Requests made after 9:00am on the day of the deadline, or outside acceptable reasons, may be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extensions cannot be granted beyond one week after the stated program deadline
Additional information
- Priority may be given to equity-deserving organizations and collectives.
- Funding resets to zero after each funding cycle.
- Applicants receive access to other Arts Nova Scotia grants, subject to annual limits.
- An interim report is required between year one and year two.
Contacts
Official sources
Application form
Operate - Activate Application Overview and Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions about the Operate - Activate Program
What is the Operate - Activate?
This program provides up to $25,000 annually in operating support for artist-driven organizations and collectives in Nova Scotia. It supports core creation, production, presentation, and administrative activities over a two-year funding cycle.
How much funding can be received?
Operate - Activate Funds up to $25 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Operate - Activate program?
To be eligible for the Operate - Activate program, you must:
Not-for-profit society, cooperative, or collective
Based and operating in Nova Scotia
At least two years active
What expenses are eligible under Operate - Activate?
Core creation, production, presentation, and administrative costs
Professional fees for artists
Financial reporting and related administrative support
Who can I contact for more information about the Operate - Activate?
You can contact Arts Nova Scotia by email at artsnssubmissions@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902-471-5720.
Where is the Operate - Activate available?
The Operate - Activate program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Operate - Activate a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Operate - Activate is a Grant and Funding