July 11, 2022: Full guidelines published
July 18, 2022: Applications open
September 6, 2022: Application deadline (no applications accepted after 4:30pm MT)
September – October 2022: Evaluation of grants
Early November 2022: Notification of results
November 2022: Funds distributed

Program Overview

This program is intended to provide one-time project funding to registered non-profit arts organizations and current operating grant clients in Calgary (known as Moh’kinsstis in Blackfoot). The Project Grant Program seeks to support projects that align with any of the following priority areas:

• Projects that reflect and contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of Calgary’s arts sector and create opportunities for Calgarians to access artistic experiences.
• Projects that support organizational development, including projects related to the reopening, recovery, and resiliency of the arts sector, or strengthen the organization’s ability to connect with their community.
• Arts-centered projects that encourage everyday creativity, including cross-sector collaboration, creative economy, and neighbourhood-level community initiatives.

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

Please refer to the Who Can Apply and What Can You Apply For sections for further information about eligible applicants and projects. 

Full program guidelines and information session dates will be published by July 11, 2022.

Commitment to Equity

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Nations—Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai; and also acknowledge the Beaver people of the Tsuut’ina and the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley bands of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis People of Region 3, and Indigenous people who make the Treaty 7 region their home.

As part of our responsibility to Calgarians to ensure equitable access to public funding, Calgary Arts Development is dedicated to addressing and working to eliminate institutional inequity in our programs, policies, and practices. We also acknowledge that our actions—both conscious and unconscious, past and present—have benefited some communities while limiting opportunities and outcomes for others including Indigenous communities, Black communities, People of Color, persons with disabilities, Deaf communities, as well as persons with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities. 

We envision a city where all artists have the freedom, agency and platform to share and amplify their stories, art, cultures and experiences: a city where Calgarians of all backgrounds can access, create and participate in art as part of their everyday lives. 

To that end, Calgary Arts Development’s community investment team is accountable to ensuring that lines of communication are welcoming, clear, and open, and that the scoring process is fair and deeply considerate. We will work one-on-one with applicants who experience barriers to access to develop accommodations that suit their unique abilities and situations and continually seek to learn and address inequities in our programs and processes. 

Need Help Applying?

We recognize that barriers within the arts community exist, particularly for equity seeking communities, and that there are many unique entry points into an artistic practice and career in the arts. If you are unsure about eligibility, please reach out to discuss this with the program specialist before applying.

Calgary Arts Development is committed to open, fair, and transparent processes. If you have any questions, want feedback on your application or if it’s your first time applying, please don’t hesitate to contact us for support. While we may not be able to meet in person at this time, our team will be available to provide support over the phone, through email, or through the use of audio and video platforms.

Please see the Investment Program FAQ for answers to common questions, and contact the program specialist as early as you can to ensure they can provide the best support possible. Staff can provide feedback on your application up to one week before application deadlines.

There are two policies available for potential applicants who may need accommodations or assistance to apply to this program such as translating program guidelines and applications. These policies are available to potential applicants even if they decide not to apply to the program. 

• An Accommodation & Accessibility Policy is available for potential applicants who experience barriers to access, to develop accommodations that suit their abilities and situations. 
• The Application Assistance Program provides financial support for eligible applicants to alleviate some of the costs associated with preparing and submitting an application. 

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to registered non-profit arts organizations and current operating grant clients in Calgary. Organizations must demonstrate that the arts are at the core of their mandate. Individual applications from registered for-profit corporations or businesses and artistic projects by non-arts organizations will not be eligible for this funding. Applications for projects which are not led by arts organizations but which collaborate with and/or primarily support artists or arts organizations may be eligible as outlined in the Collaborations with Artists section below. This program cannot support individual artists or non-registered artist collectives.

For a glossary of terms and more important information about eligibility, please refer to the Investment Program FAQ.

Collaborations with Artists:

• We will consider applications from organizations who do not meet the definition of a non-profit arts organization as long as they can demonstrate the below, and at the discretion of Calgary Arts Development staff:
  • Artists are core collaborators or participants in the planning, development, and implementation of the project.
  • The project and budget provides financial and non-financial support to artists.
  • The applicant has a demonstrated history of working with artists and/or the arts sector.
  • Applicants not registered as a non-profit society, company, or charity must be collaborating with an organization with non-profit status who can receive and manage the grant funds.

Eligibility

• An applicant may only apply to this program for one project or one distinct phase of a project. 
• We will only accept one application per organization, and one application per project. 
• You may not receive funding from more than one Calgary Arts Development program for the same project or phase of a project. 
• You may not apply to this program if you have final reports past their due date for prior grants.
• You may not have more than four open grants with Calgary Arts Development, including grants for which a deadline extension has been approved (multi-year Operating Grants do not count towards this). A request for an exception to this eligibility requirement may be submitted in writing and in discussion with the Program Specialist.

What Can You Apply For?

Projects can begin before the application deadline, but projects that will be fully complete before the application deadline of September 6, 2022, are not eligible.

Projects funded through this program must be completed by December 31, 2023.

Applicants can apply for the research, creation, development, production, presentation or dissemination of artistic work. Projects may include experimentation or development of new or adapted approaches to their operations or the administration of their organization. They may also include cross-sector collaboration, creative economy and neighborhood level initiatives as well. 

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our online grant interface. The application form will be available on the date the program opens. Applicants must create an 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. 

POLICIES

Accommodation & Accessibility Policy
Application Assistance Policy
Deadline Extension Policy
Disclosure of Grant Information Policy

Questions

Please note that Calgary Arts Development staff are continuing to work remotely. If you have any questions about this program please review the Investment Program FAQ or contact grants@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

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