Arts Grants

Canada Council awards over 300 grants annually to Indigenous artists, who are also eligible for "general" grants. These include funds for developing new works, Arts groups, for travel and exhibitions.

CCA's general grants (open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples). Click here I highly recommend applying for every artist category you possibly can. For example, if you're both a musician and a visual artist, you'll be eligible for twice the number of grants, plus their Indigenous artist grants.

They also offer extensive assistance for filling out your application, with an emphasis on Indigenous and disabled artists. Click here

First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program: National. Click here

Indigenous Heritage Museums Assistance Program: National. Click here. Funding for projects related to the preservation, management and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada. Projects must be completed with Indigenous involvement. Funding priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations and conducted for the benefit of Indigenous communities. 

Indigenous Languages Program: National. Click here

Indigenous Research: National. Financial support for Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers applying for Doctoral Awards and SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships. Click here

Institutional Eligibility grants: National. funds Indigenous not-for-profit organizations that conduct research in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Click here

Inuit Art Foundation- Kajungiqsaut Grants: support for artists at any stage of their career, but particularly focused on newer artists. Click here

Alphabetically By "Province" (artificial colonial boundaries)

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Indigenous Arts grant. Click here

BC Arts Council: Indigenous artists are a Priority Group for funding. Click here

First Peoples Cultural Council. For artists in BC. Click here

BC: YVR Art Foundation. supports Indigenous artists at all career levels. Click here

Manitoba Arts Council, Indigenous 360. Click here

Newfoundland Labrador Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program. Click here

Arts New Brunswick Equinox Award. Click here

Arts Nova Scotia Indigenous Artist Recognition Award. Click here

Arts Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Arts program. Click here

Ontario Arts Council, Indigenous Arts Projects. Click here

PEI Indigenous Arts Grants. Click here

Quebec: Conseil des Arts et des Lettres Indigenous "Recognition" program. Click here

Saskatchewan Arts. Click here

Reisa recommends: Click Grant Writers/Grant Writing group on LinkedIn.


Grant Proposal Advice: 

Reisa (site manager) humbly acknowledges that some readers have more experience in writing and obtaining grants. She has written several successful Arts grants, and wishes to offer her own experience:

1. Start early. One of the most challenging things about applications is that you might be asked to provide information/documentation in the middle of the process. The online form may not allow you to review the entire application in advance. You'll get a jump scare when it suddenly asks for something you have to search for in your files, or contact other people for references. One of the larger funders, Canada Council for the Arts, does allow you to review their entire applications in advance. So do a few others. Take advantage of that. And be prepared for the funders who don't. Choose the right grant. The language in descriptions can be tricky. I once spent many hours creating a grant proposal, only to find I'd applied for the wrong type. I could have avoided that by contacting the funding organization in advance to clarify. Again, start early and make sure you're clear on their requirements
2. Apply to multiple organizations. You may succeed with one or more, but not with others. It is possible you may receive funding for one aspect of your project from one place, as well as from another. For example, I received a grant to attend the Banff Centre from the school itself, plus a travel grant from the Manitoba Arts Council (MAC) that allowed me to not only get there, but was generous enough I was able to visit Vancouver. I had explained to MAC my reasons for wishing to explore Vancouver as an artist, i.e., the opportunities it offered that were different than ones in Manitoba.
3. Gather materials thoughtfully. This ties in with starting early. You can be sure the funding organization will need your CV (resume) of Arts and/or cultural activities and high quality photos of yourself and your work. If you're a musician, clean audio samples are necessary. Some funders will ask for a video. Making one of your work is always a good idea. If you're a visual artist, a video of your process can significantly enhance your application. BUT, don't knock yourself out creating materials that are unnecessary to your application. Again, call ahead and ask what to prepare. And don't minimize your accomplishments!
4. Be generous with your budget. First, look at the upper funding limit of the grant for which you're applying. Do not try to save the funding agency money. Without exceeding the upper limit, be realistic about what each thing will cost. Call/email your prospective suppliers. For example, if you'll need sound equipment moved, get costs from companies that specifically provide this service, not some guy on Kijii with the truck he uses for dump hauls. I had a couple of shocks in that vein. If you need visual arts materials, state the prices you'd pay buying from a high end retail store. If you'll need to travel, give the costs of flights, decent hotels and restaurant meals. Remember you'll likely need new, high quality clothing when presenting your work publicly. As a performer, I've always added the cost of hair, makeup and nails, and it's never been questioned. Be bougie, not bargain-minded. 
5. Keep notes during your process. Before, during and after. You'll be asked to write a brief report about what you did and how you did it.
6. Keep all receipts. You may be asked to provide these, or at least a clear accounting. As well, you'll be able to balance your expenses against the grant amount at tax time. 
7. Get a bookkeeper. Grants are reportable income to the Canada Revenue agency. You'll need to file as a self employed artist. It's a good idea to get some help with this. Research the cost of a bookkeeper (again, don't short yourself), and include it in your proposed budget. With a good bookkeeper, you may even find you'll get a refund instead of owing taxes on your grant income. 
8. Use strong, positive wording. Instead of "I hope to," say, "I will achieve..." or, "My project delivers." Use facts and numbers. Say you've exhibited your work to an audience of 1000 people, not "a lot of people." If you sell your art at powwows or markets, give weekend attendance numbers. If you're a performer, give audience or room capacity sizes. Never tell them you need their funding to survive. They want to view you as a thriving artist or group. If you want to describe difficulties, focus on how you're overcoming barriers or challenges, and seizing opportunities. Never tell them you don't know how you'll keep going once grant funding ends. 
9. Be realistic in describing outcomes. For example, say, "I will mount this exhibit in a venue that holds 100 people, and will attract 50-75 for each day of a 3 day weekend." Describe the step by step actions you'll take to attract your audience. Will you send out media releases? To which outlets? How many posters will you print, and how/where will you distribute them? Do you have an email list, or will you rent one? How many people are on that list? Don't say, "Everyone I know will attend." Re: email lists. Be prepared with one that specifically targets people who attend events like yours. I've successfully borrowed email lists from local Arts and cultural organizations. If you've verified you'll be able to do that, say it in your application. 
10. Avoid buzzwords. Impactful, cutting edge, unique, game changer, innovative. Yawn. If you do use one of these words, be prepared to demonstrate why it applies. If you truly believe you've created something never seen before, do your research. When I have a bright idea, I'm always surprised at what people have already invented.
11. Keep applying. Don't give up if your proposal is rejected. You're competing with thousands of artists. If another artist submits a proposal very similar to yours, the funder has to make a tough decision. You might succeed in the next round of evaluations. As I said in my description of Canada Council for the Arts, at the top, you are likely eligible for multiple categories of artist. So if you're applying as an Indigenous musician, make sure to also apply in their general Music & Sound Creator category. Then keep applying for grants in both of these categories. 

All the best in getting your project funded!