Canadian Grants For Indigenous Artists
There are tens of millions of dollars in grants out there. Find the right grant to support your artistry!
The Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) is Canada’s public arts funder, and offers arts grants, services and supports to Canadian artists, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations.
The CCA provides multiple grant opportunities for Indigenous artists within their Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples program. This program includes:
- Travel: This grant supports travel costs to attend significant events within Canada or abroad that advance an Indigenous artists professional development.
- Small-Scale Activities: This grant supports Indigenous artists who need to acquire materials for artistic production, engage in career or artistic development activities, and/or need specific expertise, advice or training from a professional artist or cultural carrier.
- Short-Term Projects: This grant supports specific short-term projects (up to 12 months) for professional and aspiring Indigenous artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations projects.
- Long-Term Projects: This grant supports specific long-term projects (lasting more than 1 year, up to 3 years) for professional and aspiring Indigenous artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations projects.
- Indigenous Organizations: This grant supports Indigenous organizations with ongoing costs to support their organization, including staffing, and expenses related to artistic and/or cultural activities.
Please visit the CCA website for more information on eligibility, deadlines and application details.
Alberta
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is the primary arts resource and grant funding body in Alberta. They provide grant funding to artists and art organizations to encourage the growth and development of the arts sector.
Currently the AFA has an Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding program that provides up to $15,000 to support the development of an individual Indigenous artist, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists in Alberta by providing funding for a specific cultural or artistic project.
Please visit Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding for more information on eligibility and application details.
British Columbia
The BC Arts Council (BCAC) supports arts and cultural activity in communities across British Columbia. From community arts in rural and urban centres, to individual artists, professional performing arts companies, Indigenous artists and cultural organizations, art galleries, local museums and music festivals – BCAC supports a range of activities while engaging with artists and communities to inform policies and programs.
Currently the BCAC has an First Peoples’ Cultural Council’s Indigenous Arts program that provides funding for First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, communities and organizations in B.C. Those involved with the creation, development, production, marketing, promotion and distribution of their arts practice across all creative forms and expressions are invited to apply.
Please visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council’s Indigenous Arts for more information on eligibility and application details.
The First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) is a provincial Crown Corporation that provides grant funding supports and opportunities to Indigenous communities in B.C. These grants support the revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts and cultural heritage.
Please visit FPCC's grants for more information on upcoming deadlines, eligibility and application details.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Arts Council is an arm’s-length agency of the Province of Manitoba, that promotes the study, enjoyment, production and performance of works in the arts. MAC makes awards to professional arts organizations and individuals in all art forms including theatre, literature, dance, music, painting, sculpture, architecture or the graphic arts, and includes other similar creative or interpretative activity, including arts education.
Currently, the MAC has an Indigenous 360 program that supports the artistic and cultural activities of Indigenous artists, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous-led arts groups and Indigenous-led organizations.
Please visit MAC's Indigenous 360 for more information on upcoming deadlines, eligibility and application details.
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Arts Board is an arm’s length arts funding agency that promotes the creation of art and administers funding programs for professional artists in the province.
Currently the New Brunswick Arts Board has an Equinox Program For Indigenous Artists that supports Indigenous artists, curators and groups to engage in artistic creation and professional development.
Please visit Equinox Program For Indigenous Artists for more information on eligibility and application details.
Newfoundland
Currently the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has an Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program that supports Indigenous projects that involve the safeguarding of traditions and culture, including language; traditional knowledge and skills; storytelling, music, games and other pastimes; knowledge of the landscape; customs, cultural practices and beliefs; food customs; and living off the land.
Please visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program for more information on eligibility and application details.
Nova Scotia
Arts Nova Scotia is the provincial funding agency that provides support to professional artists and arts organizations, arts education programs and a number of arts awards and prizes.
Currently Arts Nova Scotia has an Mi'kmaq Arts Program that supports the development and continuation of Mi’kmaq art forms in the territory of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia).
Please visit Arts Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq Arts Program for more information on eligibility and application details.
Ontario
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations.
The OAC provides multiple grant opportunities for Indigenous artists including:
- Indigenous Artists in Communities and School Projects: This grant supports projects that bring together Ontario-based, professional Indigenous artists and arts professionals in communities and schools to provide access to the arts and create meaningful art experiences that transmit Indigenous artistic skills and cultural knowledge to participants.
- Indigenous Arts Projects: This grant supports professional Indigenous artists, ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations to research, develop, and create new work.
- Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials Program:This grant supports Ontario-based Indigenous artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms to create artwork.
Please visit the OAC website for more information on eligibility, deadlines and application details.
Prince Edward Island
Currently the Government of Prince Edward Island has an PEI Arts Grant Funding resource that supports, assists, encourages and provides grant opportunities to the arts community of PEI. Similarly, the Indigenous Arts Grants Program provides support and grant opportunities to the Mi’kmaq people of Epekwitk (PEI).
Please visit the Government of Prince Edward Island's PEI Arts Grant Funding and Indigenous Arts Grants Program for more information on grant opportunities, eligibility and application details.
Québec
The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) is a public corporation that supports the creation, experimentation, and production of professional arts and literature and promotes the dissemination and visibility of works in Québec, Canada, and abroad.
Currently, the CALQ has an Recognition Program that supports the Inuit and First Nations arts community in Québec in its quest for reappropriation, reconstruction and development. This program is divided into five components:
- Revitalization, creation and transmission (for artists)
- Revitalization, creation and transmission (for arts organizations)
- Development of organizational capacities (for arts organizations)
- Microgrants (for artists)
- Impetus (for artists)
Please visit CALQ's Recognition Program for more information on upcoming eligibility, component breakdowns, and application details.
Saskatchewan
SK Arts provides grants, programs, and services to individuals and groups whose activities have an impact on the arts in Saskatchewan and ensure that opportunities exist for Saskatchewan residents to experience all art forms.
Currently SK Arts has an Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists program supports the development and continuation of Indigenous Peoples' art forms in Saskatchewan. This program offers three grant streams:
- Basic: supports simple projects that accomplish one or two things in any art form.
- Intermediate: supports more complex requests for moderate-sized artistic projects.
- Major: supports professional Indigenous artists with a significant sustained practice, working independently, collaboratively, or as a collective, to accomplish a substantial project over an extended period.
Please visit SK Arts' Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists program for more information on eligibility, grant stream breakdowns, and application details.
Grant Writing Support
The Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada offers free grant writing support for any eligible IACC member.
Any interested members can email shannon@indigenousartscollective.org for more information.
