How much funding can be received?

The Supporting Artistic Practice — National Arts Service Organizations grant provides up to 60% of an organization’s total annual revenues, averaged over the last three years, to support national arts service organizations that promote and sustain the vitality of the Canadian professional arts sector. Eligible activities include member services, sector-strengthening initiatives, fostering dialogue and networking, conducting research, public representation, and offering ongoing services to artists and arts organizations.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years.

Eligible projects & activities

Providing member services that support the professional arts sector nationally.
Facilitating dialogue, networking, and shared learning within the arts community.
Initiating research and analysis to inform and advance the arts sector.
Representing and promoting the arts to the public on a national level.
Delivering ongoing services and opportunities for artists and arts organizations.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 30,000

Host an annual arts summit to encourage networking and shared learning among artists

$ 30,000

Organize national dialogues across major Canadian cities to promote cultural exchange

$ 36,000

Facilitate a nationwide artist residency program focused on sharing and collaborative projects

$ 36,000

Launch a research project analyzing the economic impact of the arts sector in Canada

$ 42,000

Create a digital platform to represent and promote Canadian performing arts globally

$ 30,000

Develop and launch a public art campaign to increase awareness about Canadian indigenous art

Eligibility criteria of the Supporting Artistic Practice — National Arts Service Organizations program

The applicant must be a national arts service organization promoting and supporting the arts on a national level in Canada.
The organization must be incorporated as a not-for-profit arts organization.
The organization must work with a professional staff.
The organization must have at least 5 years of continuous activities and services supporting the professional arts sector.
The organization must have had total revenues exceeding $75,000 in each of the last 3 years (exceptions may be considered).

Who is eligible?

National arts service organizations

Who is not eligible

Companies or organizations that are not incorporated not-for-profit arts organizations.
Entities operating outside the professional arts sector.
Businesses or organizations whose activities receive funding from another Canada Council program.

Eligible expenses

Costs related to member services aimed at supporting the national professional arts sector.
Expenses for activities that encourage dialogue, networking, and shared learning among arts organizations.
Research and analysis fees focused on the arts sector.
Costs associated with the representation and promotion of the arts to the public.
Expenditures for ongoing services and opportunities provided to artists and arts organizations.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations operating at a national level in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Supporting Artistic Practice — National Arts Service Organizations program

- Quality and merit of the proposed activities - Potential impact and benefits to the Canadian professional arts sector - Capacity of the organization to carry out the proposed activities effectively - Alignment with the goals and priorities of the National Arts Service Organizations component of Supporting Artistic Practice - Diversity and inclusivity considerations - Financial stability and viability of the organization These are the evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

How to apply to the Supporting Artistic Practice — National Arts Service Organizations program

Create Account and Profile

Create an account on the designated portal.
Submit the required profile(s) for validation a minimum of 30 days prior to applying.

Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization meets the eligibility criteria listed in the guidelines.
Contact the Program Officer if your organization requires confirmation regarding core support eligibility.

Prepare Application

Review the guidelines and prepare the application materials as specified.
Prepare information on member services and activities that support the professional arts sector.

Submit Application via Portal

Log into the portal to upload all required documents and complete the application form.
Ensure that the application is submitted by the deadline.

Receipt of Confirmation

Await a confirmation email or notification indicating that your application has been successfully received.
Keep the confirmation details for your records.

Additional information

Applicants must create an account and submit profile(s) for validation at least 30 days before applying.
The maximum grant amount is up to 60% of total annual revenues averaged over the last three years.
Guidelines, appendices, and application forms are available online for reference.
The next application deadline is January 21, 2026.