Explore and Create

Explore and Create’s Professional Development for Artists component encourages involvement in various development initiatives to help Canadian artists and artistic groups advance their careers. Grants support activities that help Canadian artists flourish professionally working in all artistic fields.

This program provides opportunities for Canadian artists and artistic groups to:

Participate in professional development activities that enhance their careers;

Connect with other artists and artistic groups, both nationally and internationally;
Showcase their work to new audiences; and
Build their capacity to create and sustain a vibrant art practice.

Professional Development for Artists grants are available to Canadian artists and artistic groups at three different stages of their careers: Emerging, Established, and senior. Emerging artists are in the early stages of their careers and are working to develop their skills and establish themselves in the arts community.

Established artists have developed a significant body of work and have a track record of success in their field. Senior artists have made a significant contribution to the Canadian arts scene and have a long history of professional achievement.

What Are you Eligible to Apply for?

Support for professional development and advancement efforts, such as, but not limited to:

mentorship

internships
apprenticeships
specialized education
workshops

Activities that occur before your project’s start date, receive financing from another Canada Council program, or are on the general list of ineligible activities are not eligible.

You are not eligible to apply for residencies or self-directed initiatives with a primary focus on creation. For financing opportunities, visit Research and Creation or Arts Abroad – Residencies.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The following are examples of probable candidates for this component:

curators and artists

groupings and collectives of artists

The approved profile produced in the portal determines your eligibility to apply to this component.

Application Procedure

Step 1: Create Your Account. You must first create an account and at least one application profile to apply for awards.

Step 2: Profile Validation. Canada Council officials will validate your applicant profile to ensure that you are qualified to apply to the programs. Once this is completed, you will receive an email notification (this may take 15 business days).

Step 3: Apply to Programs: Once your candidate profile has been validated, you can start applying to programs. Before you apply, read the guidelines and look at the application form.

Step 4- Application Evaluation: Your application will be evaluated using weighted assessment criteria by a committee of peers or Canada Council program officers.

Step 5 – Result Notification– If your grant application is approved, you will receive information on grant payments, terms, and conditions, along with the results of your application.

Step 6 – Reporting On The Grant – If you’ve been awarded a grant, you need to submit a report on the results.

Funding

Amount of the grant – Up to $10,000

What Expenses Are Eligible?

Professional development fees, subsistence, fixed-cost travel, per diem and lodging, and other direct charges are all examples of direct costs.

How Are Decisions Determined in the Assessment Process?

An internal committee will evaluate your application for the Professional Development for Artists component of Explore and Create based on the weighted criteria below. You must receive a minimum score in each category to be selected for a grant:

40% of the time (minimum score of 25 out of 40)

The project’s potential is as follows:

to aid in the development of your artistic abilities
to provide prospects for professional advancement
40 percent relevancy (minimum score of 25 out of 40)
The creative justification for the project, including its timeliness and applicability;

The suitability of the project’s collaborators or host organizations, if any;
Percentage of feasibility: 20% (minimum score of 10 out of 20)
Your and your partners’ or host organizations’ capacity and experience to carry out the project.

What you’ll Need to Apply – Required Information and Supporting Materials

Once you’ve registered in the portal, you’ll need to tell them about your project and its potential impact and any partners, training institutions, host organizations, mentors, or collaborators.

your budget

a biography of your mentors or collaborators, if applicable
confirmation from your mentor, training institution, or host organization (if confirmed)

Deadline: Any time before your project’s or activity’s start date

Explore and Create $10,000 Grant for Canadian Artists