If you are a Canadian artist or arts organization seeking funding for new creative work, the Artistic Creation – Arts Across Canada program is one of the Canada Council for the Arts’ main project grants. This grant supports the entire creative cycle, from early research to sharing your finished work with the public. The program is competitive. It is also flexible and welcomes many disciplines and applicant types.
This guide explains who can apply, what is funded, and how to submit a strong application for Artistic Creation (Arts Across Canada).
The Artistic Creation – Arts Across Canada grant provides project funding to support the creation and sharing of artistic work in any field of practice. Its goal is to encourage innovation, risk-taking, and the development of unique artistic projects that connect with audiences.
This program can fund:
It is a federal grant administered by the Canada Council for the Arts and is currently open for applications.
Eligibility is broad, but there are important exclusions. You may be eligible if you are:
The maximum funding amount is $75,000 per project under Artistic Creation – Arts Across Canada.
You can submit up to three applications per year across the Canada Council’s project programs, including this one. Each application must be for a different project.
Your project must focus on artistic creation. Eligible activities include:
Eligible expenses usually include artist fees, professional services, materials, space rental, and some travel directly related to the project. For more details, see What expenses do arts, culture, and media grants cover?
Applications are submitted through the Canada Council’s online portal. The process is not first come, first served. Instead, applications are assessed by peer assessors based on artistic merit and program priorities.
A typical application includes:
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and artistic discipline in seconds, especially if you are applying to multiple arts grants.
Applying as a core-funded organization
If your organization already receives Canada Council core funding, your application will be ineligible.
Submitting vague project descriptions
Assessors want specifics. Clearly explain what you are creating, how, and why it matters now.
Overloading the budget with ineligible costs
Only include expenses directly tied to artistic creation and public sharing.
Reusing the same project across multiple applications
Each application must be for a distinct project, even if the themes are related.
Q: Who is eligible for the Artistic Creation – Arts Across Canada grant?
Canadian artists, arts workers, groups, and organizations can apply, including Indigenous applicants. Organizations with core funding from the Canada Council are not eligible.
Q: How much funding can I receive?
You can request up to $75,000 per project, depending on the scale and scope of your work.
Q: What activities are eligible under Artistic Creation?
Eligible activities include research, experimentation, creation, production, and public sharing of artistic work in any discipline.
Q: Is this grant first come, first served?
No. Applications are assessed by peer review, not by submission order.
Q: Is Artistic Creation funding taxable?
Grant funding may be considered taxable income, depending on your situation. It’s best to confirm with an accountant or tax professional.
The Artistic Creation – Arts Across Canada program is a strong option if you are focused on developing and sharing new artistic work. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active arts and culture grants across Canada—explore which ones fit your discipline, location, and project goals so you can plan your applications with confidence.
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