New Guidelines Released

The Operating Grant Increase Program is intended to provide one-time increases of up to $25,000 to operating grant clients to support the recovery of our arts sector and build the runway to resiliency. These are not intended as relief funds. Grants will be made to organizations who demonstrate forward-looking aspirations responding to and building upon the impacts of the pandemic to ensure a vibrant, revitalized, and re-imagined arts sector for Calgarians post-pandemic.

Funding priorities include:

• Re-opening efforts.
• The development of new business models.
• Attracting, restoring, and retaining jobs for artists and arts professionals.
• Truth and Reconciliation, anti-racism, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA).

Organizations may request up to $25,000. Total funding available for this program is $1,400,000.

How to Apply

Applications to this program will consist of a short written proposal and verbal presentation to the assessment committee, which will be composed of Calgary Arts Development staff and artistic and community peers. The proposal will be supplemented by information submitted through the interim report to provide context as needed.

Organizations must submit a letter of intent by April 4, 2022, to indicate that they will be applying to the program and to schedule their presentation meeting.

Read the Full Guidelines

The Organization Recovery Fund is intended to provide one-time unrestricted funding to non-profit arts organizations who do not currently receive an operating grant from Calgary Arts Development.

While these funds are considered unrestricted, and may be directed towards almost any area of an organization’s budget, grants will be made to organizations who demonstrate forward-looking aspirations responding to and building upon the impacts of the pandemic to ensure a vibrant, revitalized, and re-imagined arts sector for Calgarians post-pandemic. These are not intended as relief funds.

Funding priorities include:

• Re-opening efforts.
• The development of new business models.
• Attracting, restoring, and retaining jobs for artists and arts professionals.
• Truth and Reconciliation, anti-racism, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA).

Proposals will include information submitted through an application consisting of written responses and a verbal presentation to the assessment committee, which will be composed of Calgary Arts Development staff and artistic and community peers.

This program is open to registered non-profit arts organizations operating in Calgary, or who can demonstrate a majority of programming accessible to Calgary citizens. Organizations must demonstrate that the arts are at the core of their mandate. Registered for-profit corporations or businesses and non-arts organizations will not be eligible for this funding.

Organizations may request up to $25,000. Total funding available for this program is $500,000.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the new online grant interface. The application form opens on May 9 for a June 13, 2022, deadline.

Upon successful submission, Calgary Arts Development staff will review your application and may request additional information they feel may help provide context for the assessment committee.

Once the written portion of the application is complete, they will contact you to schedule your verbal presentation meeting.

Read the Full Guidelines

The Artist Development Microgrant is intended to support professional and business development activities for individual artists and artist collectives. The goal of the program is to contribute to the skills and knowledge required to advance artists’ careers and develop artistic practices in Calgary (known as Mohkínsstsisi in Blackfoot).

Applicants may apply for up to $5,000. If applications from artist collectives include expenses related to individual members’ participation, such as travel or course fees, the requested amount may exceed $5,000 on approval from Calgary Arts Development staff.

Total funding available for this program is $325,000.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the new online grant interface. We will accept applications in four intakes throughout the year:

• March 14, 2022: Applications open
• May 2, 2022: Intake one application cut-off
• July 4, 2022: Intake two application cut-off
• September 6, 2022: Intake three application cut-off
• November 7, 2022: Intake four application cut-off

Activities funded through this program must be completed within six months of grant notification.

Read the Full Guidelines