Funding

Canadian citizens or permanent residents with training in their art form who are recognized by peers as professionals may be eligible for a grant.

Grants awarded to individuals and groups are used for creating, producing and presenting works as well as for professional development, residencies, travel and the development of the sector.

Arts organizations may be eligible for funding to support operating costs.

Prizes and fellowships are awarded by the Canada Council for the Arts in many disciplines. Often, prizes are awarded in partnership with other funding organizations.

Prizes recognize the achievements of artists working in a specific field or at a certain stage of their careers.

In addition to granting programs, the Canada Council also makes use of strategic funds. These are special funding mechanisms created in response to particular issues.

Application Assistance

Application Assistance helps cover the costs of services that support account creation and the application or nomination process for grants and prizes.

As Canada’s national public arts funder, the Canada Council makes funding decisions within its mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.”

Most funding decisions are made through peer assessment, because it’s believed to be the best way to recognize ability and artistic merit.

The Canada Council's Public Lending Right (PLR) program, administered by the Public Lending Right Commission, compensates writers for the free public access provided to their books in Canadian public libraries.