Explore and Create Program
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports the creation, development, and production of new works across all artistic disciplines. Covers research, creation, production, and presentation of original work by professional artists.
Find funding for short films, feature films, documentaries, animation, and video art. Browse grants, fellowships, and production funding from federal, provincial, and private sources supporting Canadian filmmakers.
94 grants found
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports the creation, development, and production of new works across all artistic disciplines. Covers research, creation, production, and presentation of original work by professional artists.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports artistic practices that engage people and communities. Funds ongoing activities of arts organizations and long-term projects that contribute to the vitality of the arts sector.
Ontario Arts Council
Project funding for professional artists to create, produce, and present new artistic work. Supports individual artists working in all disciplines with Ontario residency.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Supports individual Alberta artists undertaking specific arts projects in all disciplines. Funds creation, production, and presentation of new works.
Telefilm Canada
Supports emerging Canadian filmmakers with their first feature film. Provides production funding for debut feature-length fiction, documentary, or animation projects.
Telefilm Canada
Production financing for Canadian feature films with theatrical release. Supports fiction, documentary, and animation feature-length projects by established filmmakers.
Manitoba Arts Council
Supports Manitoba artists working in all disciplines for significant projects. Funds creation, research, production, and professional development.
SK Arts
Project grants for Saskatchewan artists in all disciplines to support creation, production, and presentation of artistic work. Includes mentorship and professional development.
Arts Nova Scotia
Supports Nova Scotia artists to create new works of art. Covers living costs and production expenses during dedicated creation time.
artsnb
Supports New Brunswick artists to undertake the creation of new works. Available to individual professional artists in all disciplines.
ArtsNL
Supports Newfoundland and Labrador artists to create, produce, and present new artistic works. Individual artists in all disciplines may apply.
Toronto Arts Council
Supports Toronto-based individual artists and arts organizations with project-specific funding. Covers all disciplines and project types.
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Multi-year grants for Ontario arts and culture organizations to implement a growth strategy. Supports capacity building and audience development.
Canada Media Fund
Supports interactive digital media projects (video games, apps, immersive experiences, AI applications). For-profit and non-profit eligible. Not a traditional arts grant.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations to develop, create and share artistic works at any or all stages of the creative process, from initial idea to public presentation. Replaces the former Research and Creation and Concept to Realization grants.
Canada Council for the Arts
Multi-year funding for incorporated not-for-profit arts organizations that create, produce, present or exhibit artistic activities and are driven by the vision of artistic leaders.
Canada Council for the Arts
Multi-year funding for artistic organizations that facilitate connections between artists and communities, spark creative collaborations and build public relationships with the arts.
Canada Council for the Arts
Multi-year funding for leading Canadian arts organizations that promote the work of creators, build public outreach and support the Canadian arts sector as a whole.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports projects by artists, arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups and organizations that contribute to the ongoing growth, strengthening and development of the Canadian arts sector.
Canada Council for the Arts
Multi-year activity support for Canadian artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organizations to carry out multiple, large or complex projects over up to 3 years. Supports a wide range of activities.
Canada Council for the Arts
Small grants for professional development activities that support the advancement of artistic careers. Covers travel, workshops, conferences, and other activities that support artistic growth. Previously covered by Professional Development for Artists and similar programs.
Canada Council for the Arts
Funds travel activities linked to the promotion and development of markets for Canadian artists and artistic works. Supports attending international markets, meetings with presenters, and other promotional trips abroad.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations to circulate and tour their work nationally and internationally. Covers costs for touring exhibitions, performances and artistic works.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports Canadian artists, arts workers, groups and organizations attending residencies abroad, covering travel and residency costs to develop international artistic networks.
Canada Council for the Arts
Development support for Canadian artistic groups and arts organizations creating new works or exhibitions in partnership with foreign arts organizations.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supports activities that build connections between artists and diverse audiences, contributing to public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts in Canada. Covers community engagement projects, public programming and outreach activities.
Canada Council for the Arts
Supplementary accessibility support — NOT a standalone grant. Provides additional funding to cover accessibility costs for Deaf/disabled artists who already have a successful Canada Council grant. Non-competitive staff assessment.
Canada Council for the Arts
Aims to increase access of Francophone artists outside Quebec and Anglophone artists in Quebec to a diversity of markets and publics. Supports distribution, promotion and career development activities.
Telefilm Canada
Script and project development financing for Canadian feature films. All funding is a repayable advance. Four streams: Prequalified (tiered by track record), General, Indigenous, Black+POC.
Telefilm Canada
Provides financial assistance to Canadian production companies for the production and post-production stages of feature-length documentary films intended for theatrical release.
FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings)
Contributes to the cost of producing music videos for eligible Canadian sound recordings. Available to artists rated 2 and 3 by FACTOR.
Canadian Heritage
Supports Canadian arts training organizations at the highest professional levels, contributing to the development of future artists and cultural leaders. Priorities include Indigenous and equity arts training.
Canadian Heritage
Provides up to $7M/year to support Canadian creative industries in carrying out export projects expected to generate revenues abroad. Covers books, music, games, film and other creative content.
Canadian Heritage
Provides $4M/year supporting new and early-stage exporters entering international markets and experienced exporters expanding their global networks. Supports Canadian creative sector export development.
Canadian Heritage
Encourages Canadians to support arts organizations by matching private donations to professional arts organization endowment funds. Government provides matching grants for qualified donations.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Supports research excellence in social sciences and humanities. Relevant for academic artists and researchers doing research-creation, arts-based research, or arts and cultural policy research.
Canada Revenue Agency / Canadian Heritage
Refundable tax credit for Canadian production companies producing certified Canadian content film or video productions. Provides 25% of qualified Canadian labour expenditures.
Canada Revenue Agency / Canadian Heritage
Refundable tax credit promoting Canada as a filming location. Awards 16% of qualified Canadian labour expenditures to non-Canadian and Canadian production companies filming in Canada.
National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Provides cash reimbursement of up to $7,500 (short films) or $15,000 (features) for post-production costs to independent anglophone Canadian filmmakers. Covers online editing, colour correction, sound design, sound mixing, DCP authoring and related services with approved local suppliers.
National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Provides free in-kind post-production services at the NFB's Balmoral studios in Montreal to independent anglophone Canadian filmmakers, covering picture and sound editing suites, online editing, colour correction, sound mixing, DCP authoring, and access to NFB archives. Filmmakers within 150km of Montreal cover 10% of costs; those farther away receive 100% of costs covered.
Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Provides production and development funding for Canadian television and digital media content through broadcaster performance envelopes. Supports scripted drama, documentaries, children's/youth content, and variety/performing arts productions for broadcast on Canadian TV.
Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Supports the production of one-off point-of-view (POV) documentary films in English and French. Designed to encourage distinct filmmaker voice in documentary production for broadcast.
Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Supports mid-career Canadian digital content creators making short-form video content for social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) over a 6-month period, with goals of growing audience and monetization.
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) / Canada Media Fund
Dedicated funding stream for the production of Canadian Indigenous-language and Indigenous-content screen-based media content, supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis storytellers in film and television production.
Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Supports the creation of innovative and experimental interactive digital media projects, encouraging risk-taking and new approaches to storytelling through digital technologies including interactive experiences, games, and immersive media.
Telefilm Canada
Provides funding contributions to support the marketing and theatrical distribution of Canadian feature films, including promotional campaigns, press and publicity, poster and trailer production, and digital marketing to build Canadian audiences.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Supports postsecondary-based research-creation projects that integrate artistic and/or humanistic inquiry and creation. Enables university-affiliated artists, writers, composers, and designers to undertake significant research-based creative projects with academic partners.
Canadian Heritage
Supports Indigenous organizations in preparing First Nations, Inuit or Métis participants for careers in the arts through training activities. Distinct from the general CATF stream with specific eligibility for Indigenous-led training programs.
Ontario Creates
Refundable tax credit for Ontario-based Canadian-controlled corporations producing eligible Ontario film and television content, based on eligible Ontario labour expenditures. First-time producers receive an enhanced rate.
Ontario Creates
Provides up to $35,000 in non-refundable contribution funding for professional development, strategic initiatives, and mentorship programs that strengthen Ontario's book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors.
SODEC — Société de développement des entreprises culturelles
Supports Quebec film production companies to develop and produce feature films, short films, and documentaries. Three funding streams cover feature fiction, short-form narrative, and documentary productions.
Creative BC
Refundable labour-based tax credit for BC-based Canadian-controlled corporations producing eligible film and television content. Basic rate is 35% of eligible BC labour expenditures, increased to 40% for productions starting principal photography after December 31, 2024.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Supports individual Alberta film and video artists, arts administrators, and ensembles to develop specific film and video arts projects through production, marketing, research, or training and career development activities.
Manitoba Arts Council
Supports artistic and cultural activities led by Indigenous artists, knowledge keepers, and Indigenous-led organizations in Manitoba across all artistic disciplines and project scales.
Manitoba Arts Council
Provides annual operating support to professional arts organizations, arts service organizations, community organizations, and book and periodical publishers to sustain their arts mandate and long-term operations.
SK Arts (Saskatchewan Arts Board)
Provides multi-year core support and project-based funding to professional arts organizations in Saskatchewan to sustain their programs, governance, management, and operational functions.
Arts Nova Scotia
Strengthens the artistic practice and career capacity of Nova Scotia professional artists, curators, and independent arts administrators through workshops, mentorships, residencies, and other professional development activities.
artsnb (New Brunswick Arts Board)
Supports New Brunswick professional artists in advancing their careers through arts by invitation opportunities, professional development activities, and professionalization and promotion, with grants up to $3,000 per component.
artsnb (New Brunswick Arts Board)
Supports New Brunswick arts professionals and professional artists in researching, developing, and producing original documentation of arts activities, art history, or arts products in written, film, video, or multimedia formats.
ArtsNL (Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council)
Provides annual operating support to professional not-for-profit arts organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador covering administration, operating costs, and production/presentation activities across all artistic disciplines.
Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts
Supports Prince Edward Island professional artists in the research, development, and production of new artistic projects across all disciplines. Two funding levels reflect emerging and established career stages.
Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts
Supports the professional development of PEI artists' careers through mentorships, training programs, workshops, and residencies that strengthen artistic practice and long-term capacity.
Government of Yukon — Department of Tourism and Culture
Funds group arts projects that foster arts development and engage the public in Yukon, with $500,000 available annually to non-profit societies, First Nations, artist collectives, and community organizations.
Government of Yukon — Department of Tourism and Culture
Provides quick and accessible funding for short-term, emergent creative and cultural industry opportunities in Yukon. Assessed on potential impacts and benefits, not artistic excellence, making it accessible to all.
Government of Northwest Territories — Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Supports emerging to mid-career NWT artists and craftspeople with small-scale arts projects, covering costs such as artist fees, materials, studio fees, and development activities.
Government of Northwest Territories — Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Supports mid-career and established NWT artists, craftspeople, and arts organizations with medium-scale arts projects and events such as completing and exhibiting collections, studio development, and larger artistic productions.
Government of Nunavut — Department of Culture and Heritage
Supports Nunavut-based individuals, artist cooperatives, and organizations in promoting economic growth through the development of arts and tourism sectors, including Inuit arts, traditional crafts, and cultural heritage activities.
Government of Nunavut — Department of Culture and Heritage
Provides grant and contribution funding to community-based organizations and individuals to promote, protect, preserve, and revitalize the culture, language, arts, and heritage of Nunavut including Elders initiatives, language promotion, and arts programming.
City of Vancouver — Cultural Services
Supports arts and cultural projects delivered by registered non-profit organizations in Vancouver. Individual artists and collectives from equity-denied communities may apply via a sponsor registered organization. Advances representation of equity-deserving artists in civic cultural funding.
City of Vancouver — Cultural Services
Provides core multi-year operating support to established Vancouver professional non-profit arts organizations to develop, create, produce, present, and disseminate artistic work in any discipline. New recipients typically start at $15,000–$20,000 with potential for multi-year funding commitments.
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Supports Montreal-based artists' collectives in carrying out specific artistic projects related to their mandate. Three intake deadlines per year allow for flexible project timing across all artistic disciplines.
Calgary Arts Development
One-time project funding for professional Calgary-based individual artists and artist collectives in any artistic discipline. Supports research, creation, development, production, presentation, or dissemination of artistic work. Projects must be complete by December 31, 2026.
Calgary Arts Development
Provides one-time funding to professional Calgary-based individual artists, collectives, and cultural workers to support professional and artistic skill development or business and career development activities. Uses a lottery process for selection, reducing barriers for first-time applicants.
Edmonton Arts Council
Three-stream grant program supporting Edmonton-based individual artists and collectives across all disciplines. Stream 1 funds creation and research time; Stream 2 supports professional development, mentorship, and residencies; Stream 3 funds projects ready for production or presentation.
Edmonton Arts Council
Supports Edmonton arts organizations in planning and implementing thoughtful organizational change. Funds strategic planning, capacity-building, and structural adaptations to ensure the long-term sustainability of established arts and culture organizations.
City of Ottawa — Cultural Funding
Funds individual artists in Ottawa at all career stages for creation and production of new artistic work in literary, visual, media, interdisciplinary, and performing arts. Supports the full creative lifecycle from initial concept through production and public presentation.
City of Ottawa — Cultural Funding
Advances artistic expression within Indigenous and equity-seeking communities in Ottawa. The Seed award provides micro-grants to individual artists; the Grow grant funds projects and operating activities for individuals and organizations. Promotes diversity and representation in Ottawa's arts sector.
Winnipeg Arts Council
Supports Winnipeg professional artists in the creation of new work, development, production, curation, or exhibition of works of art in any art form. Grants are tiered by career stage: $3,000 for emerging artists and $7,000 for mid-career and established professionals.
Winnipeg Arts Council
Funds arts organizations and collectives in Winnipeg for specific one-time artistic projects with artistic merit and civic impact. Open to new and developing organizations, established organizations working on a project basis, and those undertaking special one-time initiatives.
Halifax Regional Municipality
Annual funding supporting distinct artistic projects by professional producing and presenting arts organizations in the Halifax region. Supports organizations that advance the profile of the local arts sector and foster broad public access to professional art.
Capital Regional District (CRD) — Arts Commission
Supports new and established arts organizations in the Capital Region of BC to produce one-time projects, a short series of events, or extended programming. Grants are typically between $1,000–$10,000 and must support activities within participating CRD jurisdictions.
Capital Regional District (CRD) — Arts Commission
Dedicated funding stream for arts organizations and groups led by or serving Indigenous, racialized, or equity-deserving communities in the Capital Regional District. Supports projects that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the regional arts sector.
City of Hamilton — Cultural Services
Project grants to professional artists and artist collectives in any arts discipline for the creation of new artistic work and its public presentation in Hamilton and further afield. Supports the full arc from creative development through public presentation.
Toronto Arts Council
One-time project grants for Toronto-based professional artists, artist collectives, and non-profit organizations pursuing time-limited arts projects that enable public participation and engagement in arts and culture. Supports collaborative work between professional artists and community members.
Toronto Arts Council
Targeted funding for Toronto non-profit organizations and artist collectives to support professional development and integration for newcomer and refugee artists. Provides a set grant of $20,000 per project to support arts mentorship, programming, and sector integration for recently arrived artists.
Waterloo Region Community Foundation (administering Region of Waterloo Arts Fund)
Supports individual artists and arts collectives in Waterloo Region through project grants. Microgrants of $1,000 are available for one-week individual artist projects. Larger individual and collective grants are also available for projects occurring within the following 12 months.
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Provides project-based grants to professional arts organizations in Montréal to carry out specific artistic projects aligned with their mandate. Three intake deadlines per year allow organizations to plan projects flexibly. Funding cannot exceed 75% of total project cost.
Ontario Arts Council (Chalmers Family Fund)
Significant fellowships providing Ontario artists with 6–12 months of unstructured time to investigate and examine their artistic practice rather than produce new work. Open to professional artists in all disciplines with more than 10 years of practice.
Ontario Arts Council (Chalmers Family Fund)
Grants supporting Ontario artists and arts administrators in gaining new skills or improving existing skills through study, training, mentorship, internship, or apprenticeship with a qualified specialist.
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Self-directed residencies of 2–6 weeks in private, purpose-built studios in the forested surroundings of Banff Centre for creative professionals in any discipline. Standard scholarship covers 100% of tuition and 50% of accommodation and meals; Indigenous scholarship covers 100% of all costs.
Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts (Artscape)
Programmed thematic residencies on Toronto Island bringing together up to 18 artists to work around a specific theme led by a facilitator or curator. Residencies take place in self-contained studio and living spaces surrounded by Lake Ontario.
BC Arts Council
Provides funding for media-arts, film-video artists in British Columbia. Supports creation, production, and professional development activities.
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Creation grants for professional Quebec artists in all disciplines. Supports the creation and development of new artistic works.
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Research and exploration grants for professional Quebec artists. Supports artistic research, experimentation, and concept development.