Visual Arts Grants in Canada

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.

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.

Project funding for professional artists to create, produce, and present new artistic work. Supports individual artists working in all disciplines with Ontario residency.

Supports individual Alberta artists undertaking specific arts projects in all disciplines. Funds creation, production, and presentation of new works.

Supports Manitoba artists working in all disciplines for significant projects. Funds creation, research, production, and professional development.

Project grants for Saskatchewan artists in all disciplines to support creation, production, and presentation of artistic work. Includes mentorship and professional development.

Supports Nova Scotia artists to create new works of art. Covers living costs and production expenses during dedicated creation time.

Supports New Brunswick artists to undertake the creation of new works. Available to individual professional artists in all disciplines.

Supports Newfoundland and Labrador artists to create, produce, and present new artistic works. Individual artists in all disciplines may apply.

World-renowned artist residency programs across visual arts, music, dance, theatre, literary arts, and Indigenous arts. Provides studio space, accommodation, and mentorship.

Supports Toronto-based individual artists and arts organizations with project-specific funding. Covers all disciplines and project types.

Canada's foremost awards for visual and media artists, recognizing outstanding career achievement. Includes a $25,000 prize for each recipient.

One of the most prestigious prizes for contemporary Canadian art, recognizing artists 40 years or younger. Includes a $100,000 grand prize.

Corporate arts program — RBC funds partner organizations (galleries, residency programs, music programs), which run their own selection processes for emerging artists. Artists do not apply to RBC directly.

Supports Indigenous artists in British Columbia to create, produce, and present works rooted in Indigenous knowledge and artistic practice.

Multi-year grants for Ontario arts and culture organizations to implement a growth strategy. Supports capacity building and audience development.

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.

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.

Multi-year funding for artistic organizations that facilitate connections between artists and communities, spark creative collaborations and build public relationships with 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Supports Canadian artists, arts workers, groups and organizations attending residencies abroad, covering travel and residency costs to develop international artistic networks.

Development support for Canadian artistic groups and arts organizations creating new works or exhibitions in partnership with foreign arts organizations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Provides funding to local groups for recurring community festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans, heritage performers and cultural carriers.

Encourages Canadians to support arts organizations by matching private donations to professional arts organization endowment funds. Government provides matching grants for qualified donations.

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.

Provides financial assistance to Canadian print magazines, non-daily newspapers and digital periodicals. Supports publications that carry Canadian editorial content, helping sustain outlets that publish Canadian writers, photographers, and illustrators.

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.

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.

Supports professional Ontario visual artists to create new works, with tiered funding based on career stage — emerging, mid-career, or established artists can each apply for a fixed amount appropriate to their level.

Supports professional Indigenous artists (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), groups, and organizations in Ontario to research, develop, and create new work across all arts disciplines.

Supports professional Deaf artists and artists with disabilities in Ontario to create new work, produce art, and access professional development opportunities across all disciplines.

Supports Ontario-based professional artists and arts organizations to tour or circulate their work regionally, nationally, or internationally. Two tiers cover standard tours (up to $30,000) and large-scale tours for organizations.

Provides flat-rate travel grants for Ontario professional artists and arts organizations to attend international markets, fairs, festivals, and professional development events that support career and market development.

Funds not-for-profit organizations (including arts and culture groups) to build organizational capacity, pilot new programs, or plan for the future. Grants of $10,000–$100,000 for 6 or 12-month projects.

Funds not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations to purchase equipment, renovate facilities, or improve outdoor spaces. Grants from $10,000 to $200,000 for one-time capital projects.

Supports Quebec professional artists and independent curators to present their work to audiences through exhibitions, performances, or shows. Covers up to 75% of project costs with at least one confirmed presentation date required.

Supports Quebec professional artists and curators to circulate their works, shows, or exhibitions across Quebec, extending their reach into different regions of the province.

Provides travel funding for Quebec professional artists and curators to attend conferences, auditions, prospecting meetings, or public presentations that support their career development.

First-grant program offering $5,000 to Quebec Indigenous artists, writers, or artist collectives to launch their artistic career. Designed for first-time applicants to CALQ with a simplified entry point.

Supports professional BC visual artists, craft artists, and independent curators or critics to create and research new artworks. Grants up to $15,000 for specific creation projects.

Provides immersive residency or mentorship opportunities for emerging BC arts practitioners to develop their artistic or administrative practice, gain knowledge transfer, expand professional networks, and build community capacity.

Provides scholarships up to $6,000 to BC residents enrolled in full-time post-secondary arts training programs or high school half-day pre-professional dance programs, supporting the next generation of professional artists.

Supports BC-based individual artists to circulate and tour their work regionally, nationally, or internationally, enhancing the exposure of BC artists and artworks and providing access to arts experiences.

Supports individual Alberta Indigenous artists, arts administrators, and ensembles to develop specific cultural or artistic projects in any discipline, recognizing the distinct needs and practices of Indigenous artistic traditions.

Contracts an emerging curator (less than six years of curatorial experience) to develop content for an exhibition of Albertan visual art from the AFA Collection. Fellowship value up to $15,000.

Subsidizes fees paid by Alberta organizations to present professional artists in public performances or events. Covers 65% of fees for Alberta artists, 50% for other Canadian artists, and up to 50% for international artists (capped at one-third of Canadian/Alberta subsidy).

Supports individual Alberta visual artists and new media artists to develop specific projects through art production, marketing, research, or training and career development activities.

Supports artistic and cultural activities led by Indigenous artists, knowledge keepers, and Indigenous-led organizations in Manitoba across all artistic disciplines and project scales.

Supports touring activities across Manitoba to share arts and culture with communities throughout the province. Prioritizes collaborative and community-engaged tours in all artistic disciplines.

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.

Annual grant supporting smaller arts and cultural organizations in delivering impactful programming in their communities, with funding capped at 50% of annual revenues or $15,000, whichever is less.

Provides multi-year core support and project-based funding to professional arts organizations in Saskatchewan to sustain their programs, governance, management, and operational functions.

Supports Indigenous artists and Traditional Knowledge Keepers in Saskatchewan to develop and continue Indigenous art forms, with funding at Basic, Intermediate, and Major levels for both individual and community/collective projects.

Increases access to arts and cultural resources for BPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) artists in Saskatchewan, supporting creation, development, mentorship, performance, exhibition, and cultural connections.

Invests in Saskatchewan artists and craftspeople producing commercially viable craft and visual art with original designs or skillful renderings of traditional work, supporting production costs for commercial markets.

Funds the public presentation of a Nova Scotia professional artist's own completed work to audiences, supporting dissemination activities such as exhibitions, performances, and readings.

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.

Supports Nova Scotia professional arts organizations in creating, producing, and presenting artistic work through one-time special projects or recurring series in any artistic discipline.

Enables Nova Scotia arts organizations to commission professional artists outside of their organization to create new works, covering artist fees and materials for original commissions.

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.

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.

Helps early-career New Brunswick artists and artists newly arrived to Canada acquire essential tools, equipment, or improve their facilities to strengthen their long-term capacity to create.

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.

Supports Indigenous artists, artistic groups, and culture carriers in Newfoundland and Labrador to create, develop, exhibit, and transfer knowledge of their art forms. Open to Indigenous artists at any career stage and in all disciplines.

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.

Assists PEI professional artists with the public presentation of their completed artistic works in a critical or curatorial context, supporting dissemination to audiences beyond the studio.

Supports the professional development of PEI artists' careers through mentorships, training programs, workshops, and residencies that strengthen artistic practice and long-term capacity.

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.

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.

Provides accessible and timely funding to Indigenous Yukon artists and cultural carriers for a variety of creative and cultural projects and activities, with rolling intake and no requirement to demonstrate artistic excellence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Provides financial support to professional Montreal visual artists and craft artists who occupy a studio in a non-residential building. Funding is calculated per square metre of studio space, covering both city and Conseil contributions. Supports dedicated creative workspace for independent professional practice.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two annual awards recognizing outstanding mid-career Canadian visual artists and curators. The Award for Outstanding Achievement as an Artist ($30,000) and the Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art ($20,000) are decided by an expert jury without application.

Three annual prizes of $10,000 each awarded to emerging Canadian visual artists showing exceptional potential. Artists must be nominated by a public or private gallery, fine arts institution, or artist-run centre.

Research grants supporting inquiry, information gathering, and exploration by Canadian writers, visual artists, and publishers toward the realization of a publishable work in progress.

Grants for Canadian writers, visual artists, publishers, and arts professionals to attend workshops, courses, mentorships, and other professional development activities that build skills and expand their practice.

Canada's largest and most prestigious annual peer-nominated and peer-reviewed award for photography, recognizing an outstanding mid-career Canadian photographer's contribution to contemporary art. Winner receives $50,000, a solo exhibition at The Image Centre, and a published book with Steidl.

Short-term residencies at Fool's Paradise, the former Scarborough Bluffs home and studio of Canadian artist Doris McCarthy. Residents are immersed in the heritage landscape for creative development. One selected artist per residency period may receive a $1,500 bursary.

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.

Six-week summer visual arts residency at Banff Centre offering studio space, mentorship from leading faculty, peer dialogue, and engagement with ecological sustainability themes. Full tuition scholarship awarded to all accepted arts participants.

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.

Three-month residencies for early-career artists and collectives to develop new artworks in the Weston Family Learning Centre at the AGO. Residents receive a $10,000 artist fee and a $3,000 production budget, plus institutional support and public engagement opportunities.

Provides funding for visual-arts, craft artists in British Columbia. Supports creation, production, and professional development activities.

Creation grants for professional Quebec artists in all disciplines. Supports the creation and development of new artistic works.

Research and exploration grants for professional Quebec artists. Supports artistic research, experimentation, and concept development.