Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The Operational Support Program, administered by the New Brunswick Arts Board (artsnb), provides funding to professional not-for-profit arts and culture organizations to strengthen operations and support artistic programming. Funding helps cover administrative, production, and presentation costs, while scaling support proportionally based on an organization’s operating revenue. Eligible applicants must demonstrate professional arts programming, strong governance, and a minimum annual budget of $50,000.
Overview
The Operational Support Program provides financial assistance to professional not-for-profit arts and culture organizations in New Brunswick. The program aims to strengthen organizational operations while supporting the delivery of artistic and cultural programming for communities and professional artists.
Administered by the New Brunswick Arts Board (artsnb), this program replaces the former Core Support Program and is targeted at organizations that create, present, or facilitate professional arts services.
Objectives
The program’s goals include:
- Supporting administration, creation, production, and presentation of arts and cultural services
- Helping organizations fulfill their mandates as professional arts entities
- Enhancing opportunities for professional artists through fair payment and quality programming
- Ensuring sustainable operations through proportional funding based on revenue
Who is Eligible?
Eligible organizations must:
- Be professional not-for-profit arts and culture organizations incorporated in New Brunswick
- Operate for at least two fiscal years with documented programming
- Maintain a clear professional arts mandate
- Have an active board of directors, established governance structures, and annual financial statements
- Operate year-round with at least part-time staff
- Secure multiple sources of revenue, including public or private funding
- Have an annual operating budget of at least $50,000
Eligible types of organizations include:
- Production or presentation organizations delivering creative work or cultural programming
- Service-based organizations offering support, training, and learning opportunities for artists
- Community cultural centres managing facilities and programming with municipal support
Funding Structure
- Funding is calculated as a percentage of Total Operating Revenue
- Organizations with lower revenues may request up to 30% of their operating revenue, with a capped maximum
- Organizations with higher revenues receive a smaller percentage but higher maximum limits
- This ensures proportional, scalable support suitable for organizations of all sizes
Eligible funding can be used for:
- Administrative costs
- Creation and production of artistic work
- Presentation and delivery of programs
- Operational costs that support professional artists and organizational mandates
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility: Ensure the organization meets professional arts, revenue, and governance criteria
- Prepare financial documentation: Include annual financial statements and operating budget
- Demonstrate programming: Provide details of past and current arts and cultural activities
- Develop funding request: Calculate funding based on a defined portion of operating revenue
- Submit application: Follow artsnb guidelines, including supporting documentation and reporting requirements
Why It Matters
- Supports sustainable operations for professional arts organizations
- Ensures quality programming and fair payment for professional artists
- Enhances cultural engagement across New Brunswick communities
- Provides scalable funding to match organizational size and revenue
- Encourages strong governance, diverse programming, and multi-year sustainability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without demonstrating two years of professional arts programming
- Submitting incomplete financial statements or governance documentation
- Requesting funding without a clear proportional calculation based on revenue
- Ignoring requirements for year-round operations or staff
- Failing to show multi-source revenue or sustainability plan
FAQ
1. Who is eligible for the Operational Support Program?
Professional not-for-profit arts and culture organizations incorporated in New Brunswick, with at least two years of programming and a minimum $50,000 annual budget.
2. What costs can be covered by this program?
Administrative, creation, production, presentation, and operational costs supporting professional arts programming.
3. How is funding calculated?
As a percentage of the organization’s Total Operating Revenue, with lower-revenue organizations eligible for up to 30% and higher-revenue organizations receiving a smaller percentage with higher maximum limits.
4. Are community cultural centres eligible?
Yes, if they operate facilities and programs with municipal support and a professional arts mandate.
5. What documentation is required?
Annual financial statements, governance information, and evidence of past and current programming.
6. Can the funding cover salaries for artists or staff?
Yes, fair payment for professional artists and employees is supported as part of operational costs.
7. How long does an organization need to have been operating?
At least two fiscal years with demonstrated programming.
Conclusion
The Operational Support Program ensures that professional arts and culture organizations in New Brunswick have the financial stability and operational capacity to deliver high-quality programming, support professional artists, and engage communities. By scaling funding proportionally to revenue, the program fosters sustainable growth, strong governance, and cultural development across the province.
For more information, visit artsnb.
