Events and Performance Grant Guidelines
DEADLINE: July 6th, 4:00pm 2025
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ABOUT THE EVENTS AND PERFORMANCE GRANT:
Carefully review the ARTicipate Project Grant Terms and Conditions before completing the application. Use the guidelines as a reference when completing the application.
The ARTicipate Events and Performance Grant supports public-facing artistic presentation and activity at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Applicants can apply for up to $3000 in funding (in addition to $5000 of in-kind support from the Shenkman Arts Centre, including rentals and staffing).
The program will prioritize projects from artists and arts groups who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers, immigrants, refugees, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Francophones, and Rural Residents applying to the program.
CLICK HERE for more information about space at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
ELIGIBILITY
Lead applicants must be based in the Ottawa/Gatineau Region, including Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi First Nations, and have a mandate to present arts programming or have an arts practice.
APPLICANTS MUST BE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- An incorporated, not-for-profit arts organization
- A non-incorporated arts collective (a group of two or more artists who are active in their discipline)
- An individual artist
Only one application is required for collaborative projects submitted by the lead applicant. Collaborators are not required to be based in the Ottawa/Gatineau region as long as the lead applicant is a local artist. If the application is successful, the lead applicant will be responsible for the grant, budgeting, fulfillment, and reporting requirements.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:
- Public festivals, performances, or showcases
- Public presentations, screenings or gatherings
- Projects taking place between September 2025 and May 2026
Applicants are encouraged to contact Arts Ottawa staff before applying if they have questions about eligibility criteria.
INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS INCLUDE:
- Artists and/or arts organizations whose reports for previous ARTicipate Grants are overdue or incomplete
- Non-arts organizations (organizations whose primary mandate is not arts related)
- For-profit organizations and businesses
- Political parties
- Government bodies or crown corporations
- Resident Art Partners at the Shenkman Arts Centre, including board and staff members of Arts Network Ottawa
- Participating jurors or peer-assessors of the ARTicipate Grant Program
INELIGIBLE PROJECTS INCLUDE:
- Projects that do not occur or use spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre
- For-profit, corporate ventures
- Non-arts events and activities
- Development of new work or non-public-facing events and/or performances (see C&D stream here)
- Projects that are part of the programming or operations of the Resident Arts Partners of the Shenkman Arts Centre
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO:
- Projects from or engaging equity seeking artists and groups who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, immigrants, refugees, newcomers, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Francophones, and Rural Residents
- Events and/or performances that can generate or attract audiences to the Shenkman Arts Centre
- Original works and/or performances
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Only expenses directly related to the project are eligible. A full list of eligible expenses can be found in the FAQ and the budget section of the application form.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Download your application package found at the top of the page. Read all instructions carefully and complete all application questions and the budget form. Email your final application document and support materials to articipate@artsottawa.ca. You will receive confirmation when we have your application.
There are two required components to your Events and Performance application:
- Support materials (attached with your application)
Projects must take place at the Shenkman Arts Centre between September 2025 and May 2026. Late projects may be subject to grant repayment. Exact dates will be determined between Shenkman Arts Centre staff and the successful applicant upon receiving the grant.
For more information about spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre, please visit: https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/rentals
Recorded (audio/video) applications are also accepted, and we encourage applicants to contact the Program Manager for any additional accessibility arrangements.
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Applicants are to submit support material to be reviewed by the peer assessment committee. Support material should demonstrate the applicant’s previous work and accomplishments as they relate to the application. This can include photos, video, links, or other documentation of past or proposed activities. It is important that all materials are labelled with a description of the contents.
BUDGET FORM
All applicants are required to complete a detailed budget in their application form, outlining the allocation of grant funding, any additional funding sources and costs of project delivery. Grant recipients will have liability insurance costs covered by Arts Ottawa and need not include this in their budget.
Please reference this checklist to ensure you have properly completed all steps before submitting your application package
APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The criteria used in the assessment process are the artistic relevance of the project, its viability and impact on the community. Both the application form and support material will be evaluated. Priority is given to projects meeting the funding objectives of the ARTicipate Project Grant. Please refer to the assessment criteria below for more details:
ARTISTIC RELEVANCE
- Project concept is distinct and unique
- Applicant has a clear vision and artistic goals that reflect the applicant’s mandate and/or artistic practice
- Relevant and compelling support materials
PROJECT VIABILITY
- Demonstrated skills and capacity to successfully deliver project
- Effective budgeting, including an appropriate breakdown of expenses
- Clear plan for marketing and audience development and engagement
IMPACT OF THE PROJECT
- Engages and/or reflects priority groups outlined in grant guidelines
- Clear impact on the development of the artist, group, or artistic project
- Appropriate use of available spaces and resources within the Shenkman Arts Centre
RELEASE OF FUNDS
Successful applicants will be notified by email. The grant recipient will work with Shenkman Arts Centre staff for final confirmation of booking dates within the facility. Funding will be released upon signing Booking and Grant contracts with the Shenkman Arts Centre and Arts Ottawa, and attendance of a mandatory ARTicipate Project Grant orientation session.
REPORTING
Mandatory Final Reporting Forms will be provided to grant recipients. Grant recipients are encouraged to review the Final Reporting Form at the beginning of the project to ensure that they are prepared to collect and report on all required components.
This report must be submitted within 2 months upon the completion of funded project activities.
IF YOU ARE NOT AWARDED FUNDING
Grant assessment decisions are final. Applicants will receive a letter to indicate that they have not received funding. Applicants are encouraged to reapply at the next deadline. The program’s limited funds are not sufficient to fund all applications, regardless of their merit.
CONTACT
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Manager with any questions they may have regarding the ARTicipate Project Grant guidelines or their application: alex@artsottawa.ca
ARTicipate Endowment Fund
Arts Ottawa
Shenkman Arts Centre
245 Centrum Blvd, Suite 260
Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1
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