Grants for Artists
Whether you are new to grant writing or a grant writing expert, there is always more to learn! Check out these resources for artists seeking grant funding for projects.
What is an artist grant?
Artist grants are non-repayable sums of money awarded to individual artists/arts organization to support the creation of artistic works, projects, and/or professional development.
Grant Application Basics
Register with your funder(s)
Many funders use portals for submissions. Register your profile as soon as possible. Approval can take up to 4 weeks.
Read the guidelines
Find the guidelines for the specific grant you are looking to apply for to know exactly how eligible you are, learn about the funding streams, etc
Prepare Your Application
Pull together your project description, work plan/schedule, and artistic support materials.
Budgets and Budget Tips
Match your grant request to your project needs. Need a budget template? Download MAC’s templates below.
Funders
For Artists and Arts Organizations
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.”
The CCA helps individual artists, groups and arts organizations engage in projects and activities. Grants are available for Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have specialized training — though not necessarily in an academic setting — and are recognized as professionals by other artists in the field of practice.
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
The Ontario Arts Council was established in 1963 to foster the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians.
The OAC provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations. Grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines.
Mississauga Arts Council (MAC)
The Mississauga Arts Council is a service-based arts charity dedicated to supporting the growth of a vibrant and respected cultural community in Mississauga.
MAC’s dynamic and impactful MicroGrant program provides funding for artist-led projects which have a pronounced and impactful connection to the public and bring recognition and increased awareness to the arts across the city. There are typically two (2) funding cycles per calendar year.
City of Mississauga
The City of Mississauga provides funding to support arts, culture, or heritage activities in Mississauga.
Most City of Mississauga Grants are for Mississauga-based nonprofit Arts, Culture, or Heritage organizations, but opportunities for individual artists are available as well.
FACTOR
FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) is a public/private partnership that supports the production of sound recordings by Canadian musicians and helps Canadian music companies make recordings available to a wider public.
Support is provided to Canadian recording artists, songwriters, artist managers, record labels, music publishers, distributors, and event producers through numerous programs.
For Arts Organizations Only
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
The Ontario Trillium Foundation builds healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector.
Grant programs are open to Ontario-based non-profit organizations from all economic sectors.
Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates is an agency of the provincial government whose mandate is to be a catalyst for economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Mississauga Foundation
Mississauga Foundation serves the people and neighbourhoods of Mississauga from Port Credit in the south to Meadowvale in the north.
The Mississauga Foundation accepts applications for 2 of their funding streams in September and the remainder of their funding streams in February. All grants are announced in May following the applications.
NEW – The Mississauga Foundation Catalogue of Community Needs Grant: which is an unrestricted $2000 to eligible applicants from Donor Advised Funds.
Hazel McCallion Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Heritage
The Hazel McCallion Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Heritage supports a wide spectrum of cultural endeavours through financial grants.
Applicants must be incorporated or registered not-for-profit organizations based in Mississauga with a duly constituted board of directors and officers.
Port Credit Community Foundation
The Port Credit Community Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created for the people of Port Credit. The Foundation is dedicated to fund a combination of hard investments, charitable endeavours, event support and other community initiatives.
Grant Writing Resources
Need a hand getting started with grant writing? Don’t worry, there are lots of resources out there to help you.
MAC regularly hosts TD Culture Lab webinars and workshops on grant writing. Watch our previous webinars below.
Get Funded: Grant Writing for Success with Rohit Mehta
Grant Writing Success: Tips & Tricks with Rohit Mehta
Effective Grant Writing for Artists with Rohit Mehta and Maura Broadhurst
Looking for the latest information on arts grants?
Check out Grants and Artist Opportunities on Sauga Arts HUB.
