Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative provides financial support to professional artists from designated communities who have historically experienced barriers in accessing arts funding. The programme supports artistic creation, public presentation, professional development, and travel opportunities for eligible artists in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The initiative is designed to improve equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the arts sector by supporting Indigenous artists, African Nova Scotian artists, Black artists, racialized artists, artists with disabilities, deaf and hard-of-hearing artists, and artists with mental illness or who are mad-identifying.
Overview of the Arts Equity Funding Initiative
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative supports professional artists whose artistic careers and development have been affected by systemic barriers. The programme provides flexible funding to help artists create new work, share their work with audiences, develop professional skills, and access important artistic opportunities.
The funding focuses on:
- Artistic growth and career development
- Creation and production of new artistic works
- Public presentation and dissemination of artistic projects
- Professional training and mentorship
- Increased access to artistic opportunities for equity-deserving communities
The initiative recognises that some artists face additional barriers when accessing traditional funding systems and aims to provide targeted support to strengthen diversity within Nova Scotia’s arts community.
Why It Matters
Arts equity funding helps create a more inclusive cultural environment by ensuring that artists from historically underrepresented communities have opportunities to develop and showcase their creative work.
The programme supports:
- Greater representation in the arts sector
- Increased participation of diverse artists
- Preservation and promotion of different cultural expressions
- Professional growth for emerging and established artists
- Removal of financial barriers affecting artistic development
By investing in diverse artistic voices, the initiative contributes to a stronger and more accessible arts ecosystem.
Funding Categories and Grant Amounts
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative provides support through four main funding categories.
Create Grant
The Create category supports artists who are developing or creating new artistic work.
Funding available:
- Up to $15,000
Eligible activities may include:
- Research and artistic experimentation
- Development of new artworks
- Production expenses
- Creative materials and resources
- Artist fees
Present Grant
The Present category supports artists who want to publicly share their own artistic work.
Funding available:
- Up to $12,000
Eligible activities may include:
- Exhibitions
- Performances
- Public presentations
- Artistic showcases
- Community presentations
Professional Development Grant
The Professional Development category supports artists seeking to improve artistic, technical, or administrative skills.
Funding available:
- Up to $12,000
Supported activities may include:
Special Travel Grant
The Special Travel Grant supports travel connected to artistic development or significant artistic opportunities that do not fit within other categories.
Funding available:
- Up to $1,000
Key requirements:
- The grant can be combined with Create, Present, or Professional Development funding within the same 12-month period.
- Only artists recommended for funding through the Arts Nova Scotia peer assessment process may apply.
- Applications are accepted anytime.
- Additional support materials are not required.
Who Is Eligible?
The programme is open to professional artists and organisations supporting professional artistic activities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual professional artists
- Professional arts organisations
- Groups of three or more professional artists collaborating on a new work
- Non-profit organisations registered in Nova Scotia that employ professional artists for a project
Applicants must belong to one or more designated communities, including:
- Indigenous artists
- African Nova Scotian artists
- Black artists
- Racialized artists, including artists of Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or mixed racial backgrounds
- Deaf, partially deaf, or hard-of-hearing artists
- Artists with disabilities
- Artists living with mental illness or who identify as mad
Definition of a Professional Artist
A professional artist is generally someone who demonstrates a serious commitment to an artistic career and meets recognised professional standards.
Criteria may include:
- Recognition from peers in the artistic community
- History of public presentation or exhibition
- Relevant artistic training
- Income earned partly or fully through artistic activities
- Long-term commitment to artistic practice
- Active involvement in a chosen artistic discipline
Professional status is assessed based on the artist’s experience, achievements, and career development.
Residency and Citizenship Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
- Have lived in Nova Scotia for at least 12 months before the application deadline
- Artists temporarily living outside Nova Scotia may still qualify if they have been away for no more than 12 months
Self-Identification Requirement
Applicants must complete a self-identification form to confirm eligibility for the Arts Equity Funding Initiative.
Important points:
- Self-identification information remains confidential.
- Information is not shared with the Peer Assessment Committee.
- The form helps ensure funding reaches artists from designated communities.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Confirm eligibility
- Check professional artist requirements.
- Confirm residency and community eligibility criteria.
- Select the appropriate funding category
- Choose Create, Present, Professional Development, or Special Travel based on the project goal.
- Prepare application materials
- Provide details about the artistic project.
- Explain goals, activities, and expected outcomes.
- Submit required supporting documents.
- Complete the self-identification form
- Provide confidential information confirming eligibility.
- Submit the application for assessment
- Applications are reviewed through a peer assessment process.
- Await funding decision
- Successful applicants receive support based on available funds and assessment recommendations.
Eligible Uses of Funding
Funding may support activities related to:
- Artistic creation
- Project development
- Production costs
- Presentation expenses
- Professional training
- Mentorship
- Workshops and conferences
- Travel related to artistic opportunities
- Career development activities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without confirming professional artist eligibility
- Choosing a funding category that does not match the project purpose
- Providing unclear project descriptions
- Missing residency requirements
- Failing to demonstrate artistic goals and expected outcomes
- Submitting incomplete application materials
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Clearly explaining the artistic vision and project impact
- Showing how funding will support career development
- Providing evidence of artistic experience
- Describing community or audience benefits
- Demonstrating realistic project planning and budgeting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for the Arts Equity Funding Initiative?
Professional artists, arts organisations, collaborative artist groups, and eligible non-profit organisations in Nova Scotia can apply if they meet the programme requirements.
2. What types of artists does this programme support?
The programme supports artists from designated communities, including Indigenous artists, Black artists, racialized artists, artists with disabilities, deaf and hard-of-hearing artists, and artists with mental illness or who are mad-identifying.
3. How much funding can artists receive?
Funding depends on the category. Create grants provide up to $15,000, Present and Professional Development grants provide up to $12,000, and Special Travel Grants provide up to $1,000.
4. Can emerging artists apply?
Yes. The initiative supports both emerging and established professional artists who meet the eligibility requirements.
5. What is considered a professional artist?
A professional artist is someone with recognised artistic practice, peer recognition, public presentation experience, relevant training, and a serious commitment to their artistic career.
6. Can organisations apply on behalf of artists?
Yes. Eligible professional arts organisations and non-profit organisations registered in Nova Scotia may apply for projects involving professional artists.
7. Is travel funding available separately?
Yes. The Special Travel Grant provides up to $1,000 for eligible artistic travel opportunities and can be combined with certain other grants.
Conclusion
The Arts Equity Funding Initiative provides targeted financial support to professional artists from communities that have historically faced barriers in accessing arts funding. Through grants for creation, presentation, professional development, and travel, the programme strengthens artistic diversity, improves inclusion, and supports a more equitable arts sector in Nova Scotia.
For more information, visit Arts Nova Scotia.