Open
Source verified August 10, 2026
Original Peoples Investment Program
One-time project funding for FNMI artists in Treaty 7
Offered by
Funding available
$ 30,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Original Peoples Investment Program 2026 offers one-time project funding up to $20,000 for First Nations, Métis and Inuit individual artists, up to $25,000 for artist collectives, and up to $30,000 for Indigenous arts organizations in the Treaty 7 region. It supports research, creation or production, and professional development and learning for artistic work.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research
- Creation or production of work
- Professional development and learning
- Presenting or sharing work with the public
- Marketing and promotion
Documents Needed
- Support material
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individual artists
- FNMI artist collectives
- Indigenous-led and Indigenous-centred arts organizations
- FNMI cultural workers, arts administrators, and curators applying as lead artist or organizer
Who is not eligible
- Agents or managers
- Production companies
- Incorporated for-profit corporations or businesses
Eligible expenses
- Accessibility expenses, including interpretation, translation, support workers, and aid devices or tools such as screen readers.
- Artist fees, professional fees, technical fees, Elder and Knowledge Keeper fees, and honorariums.
- Materials & Supplies; documentation; and marketing, promotion, publicity or outreach.
- Course fees for courses that do not count toward the pursuit of a credit, diploma or degree-granting program; travel expenses; per diem; and accommodation.
- Subsistence expenses for your primary residence, including housing, food, internet, and dependent care, up to $3,000 per month; rental of space; rental of equipment; and purchase of equipment, including hardware and permanent software.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Lost wages or salaries; debt or loan repayment.
- Tuition or other costs related to the pursuit of post-secondary degree or diploma educational programs, or artistic work related to those educational programs.
- Purchase of, or financial contribution towards land or buildings.
- Purchase of any equipment not directly related to an eligible activity; any other expenses not directly related to the project; and expenses fully supported by another funding source.
- Activities that do not comply with or respect cultural protocols; activities that use or present Indigenous cultural material, traditional knowledge or stories without express permission from the community and/or clear connection to the originating community; activities or individuals that willfully or in bad faith promote intolerance, hatred or hate speech to incite violence or harm; activities that are illegal or contravene provincial or federal law or municipal bylaws; contests and competitions; fundraising activities undertaken to raise funds on behalf of a political party or charity; and activities related to campaigning for a specific political candidate or party in an election.
Eligible geographic areas
- Treaty 7 region
Selection criteria
- Artistic Impact: clear understanding of artistic practice, artistic goals, and how the project will develop skills and knowledge.
- Community Connection: clear understanding of the community relationships connected to the project and what success will mean.
- Planning: enough information to show what the applicant wants to do, how they will do it, and that the project is clear, realistic and well-supported.
- Applications are rated Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree, and each program consideration is weighted equally.
How to apply
- Create an account and set up your user profile in the online grant platform, using the correct account type and a unique email address.
- Log in, open ‘Open Opportunities,’ and select this program once it is available.
- Complete your profile and draft application, saving your progress regularly.
- Submit the application before the stated deadline.
- Expect an email confirming your submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Program staff review applications for basic eligibility and completeness and may contact applicants if something is missing or needs clarity.
- Eligible applications move to assessment, where committee members review, score, discuss, and make recommendations, and Calgary Arts Development staff finalize the funding list.
- Successful applicants receive an automated notification and must complete the Detailed Information Collection Form with legal name, current mailing address, and direct deposit information.
- Successful applicants receive an investment agreement via DocuSign and must sign and return it within 30 days to receive funding; grant payments are made by electronic funds transfer.
- Successful grantees must complete a brief final report within 60 days of the stated project end date, including completed activities, learnings, how the grant benefited their practice, and an updated budget with actuals.
Additional information
- Help is available for applicants even if they choose not to apply for the program.
- If you experience accessibility, cultural or language barriers, our staff members can help you.
- This program is supported and validated by FNMI artists, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and our Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Original Peoples Investment Program Program
What is the Original Peoples Investment Program?
Original Peoples Investment Program 2026 offers one-time project funding up to $20,000 for First Nations, Métis and Inuit individual artists, up to $25,000 for artist collectives, and up to $30,000 for Indigenous arts organizations in the Treaty 7 region. It supports research, creation or production, and professional development and learning for artistic work.
How much funding can be received?
Original Peoples Investment Program Funds up to $30,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Original Peoples Investment Program program?
To be eligible for the Original Peoples Investment Program program, you must:
First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants
One project or one distinct phase of a project
Projects may begin but cannot be fully completed before August 12, 2026
What expenses are eligible under Original Peoples Investment Program?
Research
Creation or production of work
Professional development and learning
Presenting or sharing work with the public
Marketing and promotion
Who can I contact for more information about the Original Peoples Investment Program?
You can contact Calgary Arts Development (CADA).
Where is the Original Peoples Investment Program available?
The Original Peoples Investment Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Original Peoples Investment Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Original Peoples Investment Program is a Grant and Funding