Creation and Development Grant Guidelines
DEADLINE: July 6th, 2025 at 4:00pm
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ABOUT THE CREATION & DEVELOPMENT GRANT:
Carefully review the ARTicipate Project Grant Guidelines and Terms and Conditions before completing the application. Use the guidelines as a reference when completing the application.
The ARTicipate Creation and Development grant supports the exploration, experimentation, and development of new artistic work for one week in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Applicants can apply for up to $3000 (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.
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
We welcome collaborative projects, involving more than one artist, arts organization or collective. 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.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO:
- Projects from 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
- Successful proposals will demonstrate innovative and meaningful use of physical space at the Shenkman Arts Centre. We encourage applicants to explore bold and creative ways to engage with resources in the building.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS may include, but are not limited to:
- Rehearsals, choreography
- Design and/or creation of new artistic works (painting/visual arts/literary)
- Audio/film/multimedia production and project development
- Research aligning with your artistic practice
Please contact Arts Ottawa staff if you have questions about project eligibility
INELIGIBLE PROJECTS INCLUDE:
- Projects that do not occur or use spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre
- Projects that do not take place between September 2025 and May 2026
- Projects that have previously received an ARTicipate grant (previous ARTicipate Grant recipients are eligible to apply for new projects, provided they meet eligibility criteria)
- For-profit, corporate ventures
- Non-arts events and activities
- Presentation of public-facing performances or events (see our Events + Performance grant stream)
- Projects that are part of the programming or operations of the Resident Arts Partners of the Shenkman Arts Centre
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 Ottawa
- Participating jurors or peer-assessors of the ARTicipate Grant Program
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Only expenses directly related to the project are eligible. A full list of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in the FAQ and 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.
Application Deadline: JULY 6 2025, 4PM
There are two required components to your Creation and Development Grant application
- Completed application form
- Support materials (attached with your application)
Projects must take place 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.
Recorded (audio/video) applications are also accepted, and we encourage applicants to contact Arts Ottawa for any additional accessibility arrangements.
For more information about spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre, please visit: https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/rentals
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
All applicants are required to complete a detailed budget in their application form, outlining the allocation of grant funding, any additional funding sources, costs of project, marketing, venue, etc. Grant recipients will have their projects 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
The criteria used in the assessment process are the artistic relevance of the project, its viability and impact. 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
- Realistic, achievable goals, with a clear work plan and timeline
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 or innovative use of space and resources available in 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 attending a mandatory ARTicipate Project Grant orientation session. Funding for the Creation and Development stream will be provided in 2 installments, with the final installment issued upon completion of the project and approval of final report.
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
Applicants will receive an email to indicate that they have not received funding. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to speak with the Program Manager to receive Jury feedback. Unsuccessful applications may be revised and resubmitted at a later deadline.
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
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
PLEASE READ THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SECTION OF THE ARTICIPATE WEBSITE HERE
ATTEND OUR HOW TO ARTICIPATE OPEN OFFICE HOURS JUNE 27 @ 12PM
REGISTER HERE