Deadline: 10-Oct-2026
The Create Grant provides financial support to professional artists, arts groups, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers for research, creation, and residency opportunities. Funding ranges from $7,500 to $15,000, depending on career stage, and supports project costs such as materials, collaborator fees, studio rentals, travel, and living expenses. The program prioritizes artistic merit, impact, and feasibility for developing original and meaningful artistic work.
The Create Grant is designed to enable professional artists and arts groups to develop and produce original artistic work. The program focuses on activities that promote research, creation, and residencies, emphasizing artistic growth, innovation, and feasibility.
Objectives of the Grant
The grant aims to:
- Support the research and creation of new artistic work.
- Fund the development of works in progress.
- Enable participation in creation-based residencies to foster growth and collaboration.
- Encourage original artistic expression across disciplines.
Funding Details
Funding is awarded based on career stage:
- Emerging Artists: Up to $7,500
- Mid-Career Artists: Up to $10,000
- Established Artists: Up to $15,000
Eligible uses of funds include:
- Materials and supplies for creation
- Fees for artists and collaborators
- Equipment and studio rentals
- Residency participation costs
- Travel and research expenses
- Living costs related to project execution
Exclusions:
- Music recording or commercial production work
- Presentation or publication-focused projects (apply under separate grants)
Eligible Applicants
The grant is open to:
- Professional artists across disciplines
- Professional arts groups
- Indigenous Knowledge Keepers
Applicant Classification:
- Emerging: Up to 5 years of artistic activity or at least 1 professional presentation/publication
- Mid-Career: 5–15 years of experience or minimum 3 presentations/publications
- Established: Over 15 years of experience or minimum 5 presentations/publications
How to Apply
- Confirm Eligibility: Verify your career stage and professional experience.
- Prepare Proposal: Include a project description, goals, timeline, budget, and documentation of prior work.
- Submit Application: Provide all supporting materials via the official application platform.
- Evaluation: Applications are assessed based on artistic merit, feasibility, and potential impact.
- Funding Decision: Successful applicants receive grants and guidance for project execution.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly demonstrate originality and artistic merit.
- Provide a detailed budget and timeline for your project.
- Highlight prior presentations, publications, or residencies relevant to your career stage.
- Focus on creation and development, not presentation or commercial outputs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misclassifying your career stage
- Submitting incomplete proposals without budgets or timelines
- Proposing music recordings or commercial projects
- Failing to demonstrate feasibility or artistic impact
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Create Grant?
Professional artists, arts groups, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers at any career stage. - What are the funding limits?
Emerging: $7,500 | Mid-career: $10,000 | Established: $15,000 - What can the grant fund?
Materials, collaborator fees, residencies, studio rentals, travel, research, and living costs. - Are music or commercial projects eligible?
No, these are excluded. Presentation or publication projects must be submitted under other grants. - How is career stage determined?
Based on years of professional activity and number of presentations or publications. - Can groups apply?
Yes, professional arts groups can apply with clearly defined roles and budgets.
Why the Create Grant Matters
- Promotes original artistic creation across disciplines
- Supports artists at all stages of their careers
- Encourages innovation, collaboration, and professional development
- Strengthens cultural expression and artistic diversity in communities
Conclusion
The Create Grant empowers artists and arts groups to focus on meaningful creation and development, providing financial resources and support for projects that demonstrate artistic merit, feasibility, and potential impact. By funding research, creation, and residencies, the program fosters growth, innovation, and long-term contribution to the arts sector.
For more information, visit Manitoba Arts Council.