Guidelines: Community-Run Public Art Microgrant 2024

Recognizing that public art opportunities can come from grassroots ideas that are initiated and led by communities, Calgary Arts Development invites proposals for community-run public art projects.

This opportunity is open to community-run organizations, including informal groups that define themselves in terms of distinct communities, neighbourhood associations and non-profit organizations or charitable organizations.

Community-run organizations in Calgary (known as Mohkinsstsis in Blackfoot), can apply for up to $15,000 in funding to hire local artists at any level of experience and create public art in their neighbourhoods.

Projects must address one of the following five themes:

Honour Indigenous stories and perspectives  
Highlight Indigenous histories and contemporary experiences. Explore and create paths towards reconciliation and right relations with Indigenous peoples and the land.

Art for Social Change
Consider how art can be a force for social change. Investigate and develop a project that could transform people’s lives, even if on a small scale. Art as activism and activism as art.

Uncover little-known stories about the city or overlooked histories
Team up with community members, Indigenous Elders or historians to create a project that connects people to places and spaces in different ways. Celebrate overlooked people and events and the diversity or diverse learnings of your community. Restore or uncover names of places.

Explore stories of your community
Create and share stories of how local businesses or community organizations tell the story of where you live and what makes your community unique.

Bring beauty, joy, whimsy and hope
Art doesn’t have to be political or serious. Introduce whimsy, surprise and joy to your community.

This program cannot fund projects retroactively, meaning that projects that have begun before the application deadline of September 18, 2024 are not eligible.

Projects funded through this program must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Communities may apply for up to $15,000 to support eligible projects. Funding is available for up to 30 projects.

We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island.

Calgary Arts Development is committed to the process of eliminating institutional racism, ableism and barriers in our programs, policies and practices by centring the creativity and leadership of those communities most impacted by structural inequities. Read our full Commitment to Equity statement on our website.

This opportunity is open to community-run organizations, including informal groups that define themselves in terms of distinct communities, neighbourhood associations and non-profit organizations or charitable organizations in Calgary.

Activities must take place in Calgary, and applicants must either be Calgary-based, or be able to demonstrate that they regularly make significant contributions to the arts that are accessible to Calgarians. If the applicant is not based in the city, Calgary Arts Development staff will determine eligibility through the applicant’s commitment to the arts and the scope of activities within Calgary’s arts community.

We will only accept one application per group, and only one application per project. You may not receive more than one Calgary Arts Development grant for the same project or phase of a project. Recipients of this grant are eligible to apply for other Calgary Arts Development grants for different projects.

If you are unsure about eligibility, please reach out to discuss this with the Project Lead, Alex Lingnau, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403.264.5330 ext. 110 before applying. You’ll also find answers to some common questions in our FAQ page located under “Additional Files”.

The information session for this program will be held online on August 1, 2024 from 1 – 2:30pm. The purpose of this session is to provide more context about the community-run microgrants, and the specific goals and criteria. It will also provide some approaches, examples and questions that might be helpful to consider when determining if you will apply and how best to do so. You can register for the info session here.

There are two Open Hours sessions for this program, on August 8 and August 23, 2024 from 10am – 4pm. You can register here for a 30-minute session to meet with the project lead to ask questions about the program or your application.

Calgary Arts Development supports The City of Calgary’s response to the federal Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action, as documented in the White Goose Flying Report. All applicants are encouraged to reflect on their journey and understanding of what Truth and Reconciliation is, and how it may relate to their proposed projects.

Successful applicants are required to participate in a Truth and Reconciliation Learning Session prior to commencement of community engagement for the project. If your work includes Indigenous content, works with Indigenous people, or would like to include Indigenous knowledge or ways of knowing and doing, it is recommended that applicants read:

• Calls to Action found in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• White Goose Flying Report

Calgary Arts Development follows a “Nothing About Us Without Us” policy. If you are planning on creating artwork that includes Indigenous stories or ways of knowing, you must collaborate with Indigenous community members.

Calgary Arts Development has identified the below neighbourhoods as being underserved by current public art programming and programming provided through other arts granting programs. To encourage arts programming in communities that currently have a lack of these opportunities, bonus points (20 points) will be awarded to projects taking place in the following neighbourhoods:

Public art projects should have a clear start and end date, with a specific set of goals and must be publicly accessible. This program cannot fund projects retroactively, meaning that projects cannot begin before the application deadline, September 4, 2024. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.

• A portion of the budget must be used to hire local artists to help carry out the project.
• The artwork must be in a public space that is open and accessible to all.
• The artwork must be safe for public interaction.
• Projects that require engineering approvals will not be considered (including sculptures).
• The successful applicant is responsible for managing their project budget. There are no additional funds available for cost overruns.

Budget Requirements
Projects will be reviewed by program staff for budget feasibility to determine if the budget is appropriate for the type of art proposed, and whether the budget appropriately pays artists, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, collaborators, etc. If the budget is not appropriate for the project, program staff may ask applicants to resubmit their proposal.

Eligible Expenses

Please note that the eligible and ineligible expenses and activities listed below are given as examples and are not exclusive. If you have questions about eligible expenses or activities, please contact Alex Lingnau, Project Lead, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Funds from this program may go towards almost any expenses that are directly related to your project and its goals, for example:

• Accessibility expenses
• Artist fees
• Documentation
• Engagement expenses
• Fabrication expenses
• Honorariums
• Materials
• Marketing, publicity, or outreach
• Meeting expenses
• Purchase of equipment, including hardware (up to a maximum of $1,000 total)
• Professional fees (e.g., fees paid to individuals offering professional services such as web design, publicity or marketing, financial, accounting or legal services, etc.)
• Rental of equipment or space
• Technical fees (e.g., web service fees, licensing fees etc.)

Ineligible Expenses

Funds from this program are not intended to support any of the following:

• Lost wages or salaries
• Purchase of or contribution towards equipment, land or buildings over $1,000
• Purchase of any equipment or materials not directly related to the project
• Tuition, or educational program fees or artistic work related to those educational programs

Ineligible Activities

This program is not intended to support any of the following:  

• Art projects that are not publicly accessible
• Projects started before the application deadline
• Projects related to artistic work created for credit in post-secondary or educational programs
• Fundraising activities (e.g., activities undertaken for the purpose of raising funds on behalf of a political party or charity)
• Events or projects in spaces that require paid entry
• Contests and competitions (e.g., grant funding cannot be re-granted in the form of prizes or awards)
• Activities that do not respect cultural protocols
• Artwork that uses or present Indigenous cultural material, traditional knowledge or stories without express permission from the community and/or clear connection to the originating community
• Activities that promote hatred, intolerance or hate speech to incite violence or harm
• Activities that are illegal or contravene provincial or federal law
• Activities related to campaigning for a specific political candidate or party in an election
• Artwork that would be construed as advertising

Applications will be reviewed by program staff for site approvals prior to selection panel review. Projects that do not meet site review criteria will not be considered. The applicant is responsible for obtaining approval from the site owner.

Site Considerations:

• Private Land: The location of the artwork needs to be approved by the site owner. A copy of a written agreement or letter of commitment with the site owner is required.
• Public Land: If the proposed artwork is to be on public land, it is the responsibility of the artist or artist team to determine if it is City owned or provincially owned (call 311).
  Please note that it is not recommended for the artwork to be placed on provincially owned land.
• City Land: If the proposed artwork is to be on City land (i.e., parks, roads) or City infrastructure (i.e., pedestrian underpass) the applicant is required to collaborate with their community association to support the project. A copy of a written agreement or letter of commitment with the association will be requested before the location of the artwork can be approved by The City. Additional assistance can be provided to work with The City after the project is commissioned. A useful resource for identifying and getting approvals for City Land is the City of Calgary Neighbourhood Services Please contact Alex Lingnau, Project Lead, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com with any questions about submitting a project on City land before applying.

When planning locations, note that spaces requiring paid entry are not eligible for public art grants.

Maintenance Requirements

The artwork must be owned and maintained by the community or the private site owner for the duration of its lifespan (it is recommended the artwork is designed to require little to no maintenance). For example: a mural’s typical lifespan is 3 – 5 years, so a maintenance plan would need to include how the community organization would deal with graffiti and then what will happen to the mural once the lifespan has elapsed; will the building owner keep it up as long as possible or would they like the wall painted back to its original colour? There is no required minimum project lifespan, but we recommend that project lifespans are less than five years.

The selection panel will select project applications based on how the submissions respond to the following requirements (rated out of a possible total 100 points).

Program Theme (25 Points)

• Provide a brief description of your project, goals for the project and which theme you have chosen.
• Explain how your project relates to the project theme.
• Submissions will be evaluated on how well the project relates to the chosen project theme.

Community Engagement (25 points)

• What type of community engagement are you planning and who are you inviting to participate?
• How will the artist be involved in community engagement?
• How will community engagement inform the artwork?
• Submissions will be evaluated on how well you have described these activities and how they will inform the project.

Community Benefit (30 points)

• Explain how the project will benefit the community.
• What difference do you hope to make in your community or beyond?
• Submissions will be evaluated on how clearly the project will benefit the community and how well this aligns with your project goals.

Project Plan & Maintenance Plan (20 points)

Provide specific details of the project and how it will be successfully completed. The Project Plan should include:

• A project timeline with anticipated start and end dates
• Planning, installation and completion stages
• Details on how installation will be accomplished
• How you will work with artists. Have they been pre-selected, or if there will be a call to artists
• Include artist bios if applicable

The Maintenance Plan should include the project lifespan, what is required for maintenance, and who will be responsible for that maintenance. Things to consider:

• What will happen when the project lifespan concludes?

Proof of site (Yes/No)

• Provide documentation that the site owner has given their approval for this project. This could be an email or letter.

Location Bonus Points (Yes/No)

• What neighbourhood does that project take place in?
  Note: Staff will confirm if the neighbourhood the project takes place in has been identified in the guidelines as a community lacking in Calgary Arts Development or City of Calgary funded public art?

Budget Feasibility (appropriate/inappropriate)

• Does the budget appropriately pay artists, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, collaborators, etc.?
• Is the budget appropriate for the type of art proposed?
• Submissions will be evaluated on whether the project can be successfully completed with the requested budget.
• Budget templates and examples are available to download here.

Committees will read applications and rate criteria section 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, each out of 10.

Criteria sections 5 will be rated as yes/no depending on proof of site permissions.

Criteria section 6 will be awarded 20 bonus points depending on whether the project takes places in a community underserved by arts programming.

Criteria sections 7 will be rated as appropriate / inappropriate.

Each criterion will be rated out of a score of 10 and will be multiplied based on the available points in each section. For example, a score of 8 out of 10 on community engagement will equal 20/25.

Scoring Guidelines

• 10 Exceeds expectations
• 8 Somewhat exceeds expectations
• 6 Meets expectations
• 4 Somewhat meets expectations
• 2 Does not meet expectations
• 0 Lack of valid response

Applications to the program will be reviewed by an independent assessment committee made up of artist peers and community members. The membership of the assessment committee will be chosen through public nominations and staff expertise.

The assessment committee will discuss each application and make final funding decisions in a meeting facilitated by the public art staff. Assessment committees are held to the Group Agreements intended to commit to open, generous, and respectful evaluations and communications.

Please see the Disclosure of Grant Information Policy for information about how Calgary Arts Development collects and uses information submitted through grant applications.

Anyone can ask to participate on a Calgary Arts Development assessment committee by completing the Assessor Nomination Form or by emailing publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Assessment committees are chosen to represent the broad diversity of Calgary and its artistic communities, including but not limited to: artistic discipline, gender, sexuality, age, religion, beliefs, nation, physical and neurological identities, etc.

Conflicts of Interest: Calgary Arts Development defines conflicts of interest as close family members, people who are involved in the activity being applied for or where there is a real or perceived financial benefit. If in doubt, assessors are encouraged to talk with Calgary Arts Development staff.

If a committee member has applied to the program or declared a conflict of interest, they will not assess those specific applications or be present for any discussions of those applications.

The City of Calgary will continue to fund public art by setting aside one percent of eligible capital project budgets. This model remains responsive to upturns and downturns in the economy.

Both Calgary Arts Development and The City adheres to the Public Art Policy which directs how tax payer dollars are used to commission new artworks, acquire existing artworks, deliver public art activities and events, provide access to the public art collection and maintain and conserve the collection.

Applications are accepted through our online application platform. The application form will be available on the date the program opens, July 23, 2024. Applicants must create a Not-for-Profit Arts Organization profile in order to apply. If the organization’s primary contact also has an individual artist profile, they must use a different email address to create the organization’s account.

If you need support with creating your organization profile and/or need help applying due to accessibility concerns, please contact publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Setting up your Profile in the Online Platform

• Register for a Profile
  • If your organization does not have a profile in our online platform, you must create one. Select “Non-Profit Arts Organization” as the profile type.
• Organization Profile Complete
  • Make sure all Organization and Primary Contact information is correct an up to date.
  • Add any additional information about your organization that you would like to include.
  • Access this profile by clicking the initial icon in the top right corner and select “My Organization”. Click the “Submit Profile” button when you are finished.
• Applicant’s Profile
  • This should be the primary contact for the organization. They will receive all communications regarding the application, notification of results, and contracts if they are successful.
  • Access this profile by clicking the initial icon in the top right corner and select “My Profile”. Click the “Submit Profile” button when you are finished.

Completing Your Application

Contact Information

• Check that all the information is correct. This information will be automatically filled out from your Profile.
• If any changes are needed, you can go back to “My Organization” and click the “Update Profile” button to make corrections. If you make changes, click the “Submit Profile” button when you are finished.
• Select the Primary Contact from a drop-down menu. If you are not the Primary Contact, make sure the Primary Contact has registered a profile and that they have been added as a contact to your organization.

Submission Requirements

Please note that the word count for the written portions of the application is a maximum, not a goal. Aim to clearly express your ideas instead of using up the word count.

• Project Theme: Specify which theme you chose, provide a brief explanation of your project, and explain how it relates to the project theme.
  • If you plan to work with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or ways of knowing include details on how you will engage indigenous communities, what partnerships you have already formed, who you plan to reach out to, what their role will be on the project, and what research you have done.
• Community Engagement: What type of community engagement are you planning and who are you inviting to participate?  How will the artist be involved in community engagement? How will community engagement inform the artwork?
• Community Benefit: Explain how the project will benefit the community. What difference do you hope to make in your community or beyond?
• Project Plan & Maintenance Plan: Provide specific details of the project and how it will be successfully completed. 
  • Type your Project Plan & Maintenance Plan in the text box, or upload copies and any supporting materials. You can upload multiple files.
  • The Project Plan should include a project timeline with anticipated start and end dates, and planning, installation, and completion stages.
  • Include details on how installation will be accomplished.
  • Include a schedule of anticipated events.
  • The Maintenance Plan should include the project lifespan, what is required for maintenance, and who will be responsible for that maintenance. 
  • What will happen when the project lifespan concludes?
  • Provide details of how you will work with artists, if they have been pre-selected, or if there will be a call to artists. Include artist bios if applicable.
  • You may include any additional information relevant to your project plan.
  • Projects that require engineering approvals, including sculptures, are not eligible.
• Proof of site: Provide documentation that the site owner has given their approval for this project.
  • This could be an email or letter. You can upload multiple files if needed.
  • The site must be free and accessible to the public.
  • If your project site is on City land and not yet approved for use, include any information showing the steps you have taken to get approval.
• Location Bonus Points: State the neighbourhood where the project will take place.
• Funding Request: State the grant amount you are requesting up to a maximum of $15,000.
• Budget: Upload a copy of your budget. You can upload multiple files if needed. There is a template available here if you would like more information on what can be included in your budget.

You may include any additional support materials as attachments under the Project Plan or Budget sections of the application form. Some suggestions for support materials are:

• Letter of commitment from the artist you will be collaborating with.
• Letter of commitment from any other collaborators (community association, Indigenous partners, volunteer groups) if applicable.
• Anticipated schedule of events.
• Quotes for any expenses listed in your budget.

Submitting Your Application

• Review your application. It is helpful to have someone not associated with the project read the application for clarity.
• Click the “Save & Validate” button at the bottom of the page. If there are any errors or missing information, you will be notified.
• Click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. You cannot make any changes after submitting your application.

If you need assistance, have questions, or would like to have your application reviewed by Calgary Arts Development staff before you submit, please contact Alex Lingnau, Project Lead, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com. You can ask for a review up to 7 days before the application deadline. Reach out as early as you can to ensure we can provide the best support possible.

The Investment Program FAQ includes answers to common questions, definitions of terms, and some helpful suggestions. The Microgrant FAQ answers questions that are specific to the application requirements. You will find the Microgrant FAQ below under “Additional Files.” It may be helpful to review these as well as the program criteria as you work through your application.

Applicants will be notified of their results by email. Successful applicants will be sent an investment agreement via Docusign and are required to sign and return the agreement within 30 days of receiving it in order to receive funding.

We use electronic fund transfers to make grant payments. If your application is approved, you will be required to provide a void cheque or direct deposit form with your banking information. Please let us know if you need any help with this.

Successful applicants are required to participate in a Truth and Reconciliation Learning Session prior to commencement of community engagement for the project.

If your work includes Indigenous content, works with Indigenous people, or would like to include Indigenous knowledge or ways of knowing and doing, it is recommended that applicants read:

• Calls to Action found in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• White Goose Flying Report

Through the project implementation, successful applicants are required to inform Calgary Arts Development in advance of any community engagement, installation dates, and celebration dates for potential opportunities to participate. If significant changes are required for any part of your project, please reach out to the Project Lead, Alex Lingnau, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Within 90 days of the project’s completion, microgrant recipients are required to complete a final report.

In your final report, we would like to know:

• What artist(s) did you work with?
• Do you feel you were successful in expressing the theme you chose? How so?
• How did you use community engagement to inform your project? How did artists participate in community engagement?
• How did your project end up benefitting the community? What difference has it made in your community?
• How was the artwork installed? Has the maintenance plan for the artwork changed? If so, how?
• How the grant funds were spent. You’ll be asked to share an updated budget with actuals. Please keep receipts and invoices for tax purposes. You may also be asked to provide them.
• How many members of the public participated in the project?
• How many artists participated in the project?
• How many people received payment for their participation in the project?
• Please provide images of the final project, and if possible, images from engagement activities.
• Optional: Anything else you’d like to share with Calgary Arts Development.

Successful applicants may also be invited to participate in optional surveys, research and peer-to-peer learning. Please contact publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com with any questions about reporting requirements.

Policies

Deadline Extension Policy
Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy
Disclosure of Grant Information Policy

Other

Group Agreements
Assessor Nomination Form

How do we apply?
Applications are accepted through our online platform. The application form will be available on the date the program opens. Applicants must create a Not-for-Profit Arts Organization profile to apply. This program is only open to organizations, so if you have a profile as an Individual Artist, you will not be able to apply using that profile.

Is my organization eligible to apply?
This program is open to all non-profit organizations, including community or neighbourhood associations, cultural centres, schools, charitable organizations, and any informal groups that define themselves as a community. Businesses and for-profit companies are not eligible to apply.   

Can I apply as an artist or artist collective?
This program is only open to community organizations.  If you are an artist with an idea for a project, you can contact the community association in the area you would like to work in to see if they are interested in applying. You can also work with different community groups that align with your proposed project. Keep in mind that the community group must apply and will be the recipient of funds. They are also responsible for managing those funds.

Is our proposed artwork eligible?
Almost all forms of artwork are eligible for this program. From one-time events or temporary works to murals and small-scale installations. Due to the small budget, the lifespan of the project should not exceed 5 years unless there is a clear plan for long-term maintenance. Sculptures and any installation or project requiring engineering approvals are not eligible and will not be approved. Projects requiring paid admission are not eligible. Projects that could be construed as advertising or that promote a business are not eligible.

How can community organizations find an artist to work with?
We recommend looking for artists or artist collectives in Calgary Arts Development’s Community Directory. You can filter by artistic disciplines and interests. Calgary has many artists’ studios and artist-run centres that can also be great resources for finding artists to work with.

Can we work with student artists?
Yes, you can work with artists at any stage of their career. If the student artist is enrolled in an education program while working on your project, the artwork must be separate from their schoolwork and cannot be used for credit.

How can our organization connect with an Indigenous Advisor for our project?
The Elder’s Guidance Circle at the Calgary Public Library is a great place to start. You can book time to meet with an Elder to answer specific questions about your project. If you want to collaborate with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper for your project, the Guidance Circle may help you connect with the right person. There are also many different organizations in and around Calgary that can help with research and making connections to Indigenous advisors and artists. Blackfoot Crossing, The Confluence Historic Site (formerly Fort Calgary), and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre are all valuable resources.

Calgary Arts Development follows a “Nothing About Us Without Us” policy. If you are planning on creating artwork that includes Indigenous stories or ways of knowing, you must collaborate with Indigenous community members.

What is the definition of Public Art?
Calgary Arts Development defines Public Art as an artist working with a community to create an artwork in public space. The artwork can take any form, but it should engage with and be responsive to the community.

What is required for community engagement?
There are no specific requirements for engagement. We suggest planning events or opportunities to receive feedback from the community that fit your project and your capacity.  Think about what you would like to ask the community, or what kind of input would be helpful to the project. The artist can work with you or lead engagement. Make sure to include these details in your application.

Two organizations are collaborating on a project together. Can they both apply for the grant?
Only one grant will be awarded per project. Additionally, only one grant will be awarded per organization. So, one organization cannot apply for two separate projects.

If our project needs more funding, can we apply for more grants?
Yes, you can apply for additional grants, but only from other granting organizations. CADA cannot award multiple grants for the same phase of a project. If you are expecting to receive additional grants from other sources, please include them in your project budget and specify if the funds are confirmed or pending.

What should be included in the project budget?
Include all costs associated with all aspects of the project. You can download an example budget here and notes on each expense type here. You can also download an Excel budget template here.

Our project location is in a public space. How do we find out if it is City land?
You can call 311 or reach out to the City of Calgary Neighbourhood Services. If your location is on City land, you will need a letter of support from the community association in the area to receive permission to install artwork on the site. Calgary Neighbourhood Services will be able to provide information on this process.

Do we need to include Calgary Arts Development’s logo on our artwork?
You are not required to include Calgary Arts Development logo on your artwork. We appreciate being mentioned as a funder on any promotional materials or social media posts.

Our organization would like to paint utility boxes in our community. Should we apply for the Microgrant or for the Utility Box Program?
You can apply to either, but they are very different programs. We suggest applying to the program that suits your project best. If you have done a similar project in the past and understand the process, the Microgrant would be a good option. If you are new to public art processes, the Utility Box Program will provide more support that is specific to your project.

Our organization started a public art project last year but need more funding to complete it. Can we apply for this grant?
This program does not support projects that begin before the application period starts (July 24, 2024). If your organization has decided to create a second phase of an existing artwork, you can apply for this program. When applying, clearly define what the second phase artwork will entail, and how it is separate from the initial phase.

When will we receive funding?
Funds will be distributed to successful applicants in mid-November 2024.

How long do we have to complete our public art project?
Successful applicants must complete their projects by December 31, 2025. Final reporting must be completed within 90 days of project completion.

We need to purchase expensive equipment to complete the project. Can we use the funds for this?
You may purchase equipment that costs up to $1,000. The equipment must be specifically required for the project. Anything above $1,000 is considered a capital expenditure. Grant funds cannot be used to purchase or contribute to the purchase of these types of expenses. If the equipment required costs $1,200, you cannot purchase it or pay for a part of the total cost using the grant funds.

Smart Simple Online Application Platform Questions:

My organization does not fit into any of the registration categories. Which should I choose?
No matter what type of community organization you are, you must apply as a Not-for-Profit Arts Organization. This category will give you access to all programs open to organizations. You can select between the two options: With a CRA business number or without a CRA business number.

Once you have registered, make sure to complete the Organization Profile. Access “My Organization” by clicking on the initial icon in the top right corner. The primary contact listed here will receive all communications regarding the application.

Where do I find the application?
When you log in to the platform you will see an icon called Open Opportunities. Click this icon and you will be directed to all the applications you are eligible to apply for. Select the Community-Run Microgrant to start.

Can I save a draft of my application and come back to work on it later?
Yes, you can save your draft each time you add to it. At the bottom of the page, you will see a “Save Draft” button. Make sure to click this button before logging out.