Please note, the Digital Strategy Fund is now closed for applications. Moving forward, the Canada Council for the Arts will support digital projects through existing programs such as the Sector Innovation and Development component of the Supporting Artistic Practice program.
Stimulate the digital transformation of the arts sector in Canada
The Digital Strategy Fund grants helped Canadian artists, groups, and arts organizations understand the digital world, engage with it, and respond to the cultural and social changes it has produced.
The Canada Council continues to encourage strategic initiatives that share the values and principles of the digital world, including:
- a focus on collaboration, partnership, and networking;
- open-mindedness and willingness to share knowledge, results, ideas, and lessons learned;
- experimentation, risk-taking, and iterative development.
Between 2017 and 2021, the Canada Council invested $88.5M through this Fund.
Discover the competition results
2020-2021 Competition results (Excel)
2019-2020 Competition results (Excel)
2018-2019 competition results (Excel)
2017 competition results (Excel)
Digital Literacy and Intelligence
Project grants to support the arts sector in building digital knowledge, skills and capacity. It supports Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations in their efforts to respond more effectively to the challenges, issues and opportunities of the digital era, develop and broaden their strategic digital thinking, and strengthen their ability to translate that thinking into sustainable, concrete actions.
Public Access to the Arts and Citizen Engagement
Project grants to support Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations to improve the public’s access, engagement and participation in the arts through digital means. It supports innovative digital initiatives that enhance the artistic experience of diverse publics, encourage the participation and engagement of citizens with the art, and increase discoverability and access to the works of Canadian artists, both at home and abroad.
Transformation of Organizational Models
Project grants to support the exploration, development, implementation or optimization of existing digital initiatives in order to help arts organizations transform the way they work in order to address challenges, seize opportunities and adapt to a networked and connected environment.
Apply on the portal
Create an account and submit one or more profile(s) for validation at least 30 days before you want to apply
Guide to Getting a Grant
Glossary
Application Assistance
Application Limits
Applicant Profiles
Get even more insight into the Digital Strategy Fund
Tip #10—Apply any time of year for Digital Literacy initiatives under 50K
You may have only just started your digital journey, and you’re unsure where to go next. Or you may have a digital opportunity or challenge in mind that you want to explore further.
Tip #9: Be open and sustainable—and leave your mark
Your digital initiative can have a long-lasting impact when you enable your community to build their digital capacity out of your work. What’s the best way to do that?
Tip # 8: Have a plan for your team’s decision making
The digital world is full of new and exciting opportunities—but with all of these opportunities comes a lot of decision making. How will you and your collaborators know how to make a decision with your digital challenge or opportunity?
Tip #1: Don’t know what you don’t know? Become digitally literate. 7 Tips to Keep Calm and Go Digital
Digital transformation is happening so quickly that many find themselves at the beginning of mastering a digital vocabulary and mindset (aka digital literacy). Some feel they don’t even know what they don’t know.
Canada Council grants making a difference
Artists, groups and organizations engage in a breadth of activities – both intimate and large-scale – funded by the Canada Council. Discover some of their stories.
