Supporting Artistic Practice — Sector Innovation and Development
Canada
Financial support to grow the arts sector
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)
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grant_card_status|opengrant_card_status|closingSoon
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If you’re an artistic group, organization or collective, you could get up to $50,000 towards activities like implementing new technologies, publishing a critical magazine, or creating opportunities for networking, collaborating or organizing conferences.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are several eligible projects or activities that can be applied for under this grant.
- Advancing or developing practices in the arts sector: adapting or exploring structures or systems, platform development, business or support models
- Nurturing learning and continuous improvement: mentoring or professional development for artists and arts workers, network building
- Gathering, collaborating and exchanging: researching, sharing or publishing knowledge, networking
- Activities related to representation or management services for Canadian artists, groups or organizations
- Production, management and platform services for a number of Canadian artists, groups or organizations
- Critical and/or interpretive publishing that supports the arts sector
- Organizational development activities such as exploring new approaches to business models and management practices
- Opportunities for shared learning and networking, resource exchange or other forms of collaboration (including mentorship programs)
- Organizing conferences, symposia and workshops
- Sector research
- Implementing and adapting to new technologies
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$35,000
Vancouver
Development of a digital platform for independent artists to showcase and sell their work.
$40,000
Toronto
Organization of a national symposium on contemporary Canadian art.
$35,000
Winnipeg
Mentorship program for emerging Indigenous artists involving traditional and contemporary practices.
$35,000
Montreal
Publication of a critical arts magazine focusing on emerging Canadian artists.
$35,000
Calgary
Research project studying the impact of digital transformation on local theater productions.
$35,000
Halifax
Implementation of new technology in a collaborative workspace for mixed media artists.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant include various types of applicants and specific conditions that must be met for submission.
- Arts professionals and cultural connectors
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis arts/cultural professionals
- Artistic groups and collectives
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis groups or collectives
- Architectural groups and collectives
- Artistic organizations
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis organizations
- National arts service organizations
- Support groups, organizations and shared platforms
- Festivals, presenters and touring networks
- Book and magazine publishers
- Agencies and management service organizations
- Must have an approved profile created in the portal
- Eligible for composite grants if received at least 1 composite or 2 project grants from the Canada Council in the last 5 years
- Organizations presently receiving core grants can submit project applications but not composite grants
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible types of companies include the following:
- Artistic organizations
- National arts service organizations
- Support groups, organizations and shared platforms
- Festivals, presenters and touring networks
- Book and magazine publishers
- Agencies and management service organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Organizations presently receiving core funding cannot apply for organizational development activities. Additionally, certain applicants are restricted from applying for composite grants if they do not meet the specified eligibility criteria.
- Organizations presently receiving core funding
- Applicants not meeting the criteria for composite grants (must have received at least 1 composite or 2 project grants from the Canada Council in the last 5 years)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. These include direct costs related to the activities and limited expenses for artistic creation in support of a larger sector development project.
- Direct costs related to the activities
- Limited expenses for artistic creation in support of a larger sector development project (cannot exceed 10% of the total requested grant amount to a maximum of $5,000)
- Costs related to gifts or payment to Indigenous Elders and/or traditional knowledge keepers, ceremonies, etc.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is available for projects by Canadian and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups, and organizations. Only projects that support, strengthen, and/or improve the arts sector in Canada or have an impact on the arts community or sector in Canada are eligible.
- Canadian arts professionals
- First Nations arts professionals
- Inuit arts professionals
- Métis arts professionals
- Cultural connectors
- Arts groups and organizations located in Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
Your application to the Sector Innovation and Development component of Supporting Artistic Practice will be assessed by a peer assessment committee on the following weighted criteria, and must receive a minimum score in each category to be considered for a grant:
- Relevance 50% (minimum score of 35 out of 50)
- The project rationale, including the context and need for your proposed activities or services
- The potential for innovation and/or increased sectoral support or collaboration in your proposed activities or services
- Impact 30% (minimum score of 15 out of 30)
- The potential of the project to strengthen and develop the arts sector
- Accessibility of project activities or services to a broad and inclusive representation of your artistic community, particularly with regards to the engagement and inclusion of Indigenous communities, culturally diverse groups, people who are Deaf or have disabilities, and official language minority communities
- Feasibility 20% (minimum score of 10 out of 20)
- The capacity and experience you and/or your partners have to undertake the project
- A reasonable budget, including other revenue sources and efficient use of resources
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an account and submit one or more profiles for validation at least 30 days before you want to apply.
- Step 2: Speak with a Canada Council program officer at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline before submitting an application for the first time.
- Step 3: Register in the portal if not already done.
- Step 4: Prepare your application outside of the portal using simple text formatting. This is optional but recommended.
- Step 5: Complete the required sections in the application form inside the portal, including:
- Grant Description with project name, summary, type, objectives, goals, expected outcomes, and project descriptions.
- Schedule of the project start and end dates.
- Explanation of how the project strengthens and develops the arts sector.
- Justification of the need for the project, including supporting research or reports.
- Detailed project plan, method, and plan for sharing results with the arts sector.
- Description of accessibility, equity, diversity, social justice, and decolonization considerations (if applicable).
- Compliance details for any regional and/or national public health and travel measures (if applicable).
- Step 6: Prepare and upload all required documents and appendices as PDF files, including:
- Biographies of consultants, Indigenous Elders, workshop leaders, or other key people leading the project (maximum 4 pages).
- Information about partners or other project collaborators, including confirmation of their support or involvement (if applicable, maximum 4 pages).
- Bibliographies, executive summaries, or recommendations from relevant reports (if applicable).
- Letters of support for projects involving specific groups identified in the assessment criteria (maximum 3 letters, 1 page each).
- A 1-page project schedule demonstrating the steps to complete the project.
- Detailed budget, matching the requested amount in the completed budget form.
- Step 7: Submit the application through the portal before the deadline.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant focuses on supporting projects that aim to grow and improve the arts sector in Canada, with specific attention to innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.
- Organizations receiving core funding cannot apply for organizational development activities.
- Applicants from designated priority groups (culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities) receive targeted funding.
- Eligibility is determined by an approved profile created in the portal.
- You can apply twice per year, but only one application can be for a composite grant.
- Expenses must be directly related to activities that support, strengthen, and/or improve the arts sector.
- Assessment involves relevance, impact, and feasibility criteria, each with minimum score requirements.
- Grants usually provide up to $50,000, with higher amounts considered in specific circumstances.
- A final report is due three months after project completion for successful applicants.
Apply to this program
Sector Innovation and Development Grant Summary
The Sector Innovation and Development grant supports projects by Canadian and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis arts professionals, groups, and organizations to advance practices, nurture continuous improvement, and facilitate collaboration within the arts sector. Grants are available up to $50,000 per project or per year for composite grants, with higher amounts considered for specific needs.
Understanding the Sector Innovation and Development Grant
The Sector Innovation and Development component of Supporting Artistic Practice funds projects by Canadian and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups, and organizations. The goal is to grow and improve the arts sector, encouraging initiatives that strengthen and develop support for artists in Canada. This grant is critical for fostering innovation, collaboration, and continual growth within the arts community. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding this grant, its eligibility criteria, types, and how to apply effectively.
Grant Types and Funding Amounts
Applicants can choose between two types of grants:
- Project Grant: For single projects, applicants can receive up to $50,000. Higher amounts, up to $100,000, may be considered for activities with elevated costs due to duration, access costs, number of people involved, or technical requirements.
- Composite Grant: For multiple projects spanning 1-3 years, applicants can receive up to $50,000 per year. Similar to project grants, higher amounts up to $100,000 per year may be considered under specific conditions.
Eligible Activities
The funded activities must fall within one of the following categories:
- Advancing or Developing Practices in the Arts Sector: Adapting or exploring structures or systems, platform development, business or support models.
- Nurturing Learning and Continuous Improvement: Mentoring or professional development for artists and arts workers, network building.
- Gathering, Collaborating, and Exchanging: Researching, sharing or publishing knowledge, networking.
Specific eligible activities include:
- Representation or management services for Canadian artists, groups, or organizations.
- Production, management, and platform services for multiple Canadian artists, groups, or organizations.
- Critical and/or interpretive publishing supporting the arts sector.
- Organizational development activities such as exploring new business models and management practices.
- Opportunities for shared learning and networking, resource exchange, or other forms of collaboration including mentorship programs.
- Organizing conferences, symposia, and workshops.
- Sector research.
- Implementing and adapting to new technologies.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Arts professionals and cultural connectors.
- First Nations, Inuit, or Métis arts/cultural professionals.
- Artistic groups and collectives.
- First Nations, Inuit, or Métis groups or collectives.
- Architectural groups and collectives.
- Artistic organizations.
- First Nations, Inuit, or Métis organizations.
- National arts service organizations.
- Support groups, organizations, and shared platforms.
- Festivals, presenters, and touring networks.
- Book and magazine publishers.
- Agencies and management service organizations.
Applicants must have a validated profile in the Canada Council’s portal to determine eligibility. Designated priority groups, including culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities, receive targeted funding.
Ineligible Activities and Expenses
Certain activities and expenses are not eligible for funding under this grant:
- Ongoing core or operational support, including regular permanent staff salaries.
- Capital construction or renovation costs.
- Creating or updating personal, corporate, or institutional websites.
- Projects primarily focused on researching, creating, producing, or presenting artistic work.
For projects with a primary goal of artistic creation, production, or presentation, applicants should consider the Explore and Create or the Creating, Knowing, and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples programs.
Assessment Criteria
The assessment of applications is conducted by a peer assessment committee based on three weighted criteria:
- Relevance (50%): Must score a minimum of 35 out of 50. Criteria include the project rationale, context, and the potential for innovation and sectoral support.
- Impact (30%): Must score a minimum of 15 out of 30. The potential to strengthen and develop the arts sector and the inclusivity of project activities or services concerning various communities.
- Feasibility (20%): Must score a minimum of 10 out of 20. Criteria include the capacity and experience of the applicant or partners to undertake the project and a reasonable budget.
Additional Considerations
Projects addressing challenges and gaps related to accessibility, equity, diversity, social justice, and decolonization must show:
- Appropriate cultural protocols for the community(ies) involved are being observed.
- Active participation, collaboration, involvement, and empowerment of the specific communities impacted by the project.
If the response to this criterion is unsatisfactory, the application may be deemed unsuccessful.
Required Information and Support Material
Applicants need to register in the portal and provide detailed information, including:
- Objectives, goals, and justification of the project, along with a description of current sector practices related to the project.
- A detailed project description, outlining its relevance, outcomes, impact, scalability, and audience.
- A project plan and method for sharing results with the arts sector.
Additional required documents include:
- One-page project schedule.
- Detailed budget including other sources of revenues.
- Biographies of consultants, workshop leaders, or other key people involved.
- Confirmation of support from project partners.
- Bibliographies or summaries from relevant reports, if applicable.
- Letters of support if the project involves specific communities, demonstrating community collaboration and cultural protocol observance.
Application Deadlines
Deadlines for project grants are April 17 and October 16, 2024. Composite grants have the same application deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to contact a program officer at least two weeks before the deadline for the first-time submission.
Grant Payment and Final Reports
If successful, the first step to receive the grant payment is to complete the Grant Acceptance Form. A final report is due three months after completing the project. Future funding is contingent on the approval of all final reports.
Understand the nuances of this grant and ensure your application stands out by demonstrating clear objectives, innovative approaches, and comprehensive inclusion and support for the arts sector. Good luck!
