Deadline: 20-May-2026
The Long-Term Projects Grant Program supports Indigenous artists, cultural carriers, groups, collectives, and organizations in Canada to develop arts and cultural projects lasting more than one year and up to three years. It is designed to strengthen Indigenous-led artistic creation, cultural knowledge preservation, and long-term dissemination of Indigenous arts within Canada and internationally.
The program funds projects across creation, knowledge transmission, and sharing activities, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous leadership and cultural continuity.
Program Overview
- Supports Indigenous-led arts and cultural projects lasting 1–3 years
- Focus on long-term development of artistic and cultural practices
- Encourages intergenerational knowledge transfer and cultural preservation
- Supports both local and international sharing of Indigenous art
- Allows collaboration with non-Indigenous artists under Indigenous leadership
- Maximum funding available: up to CAD 300,000
- Applicants may submit one application per calendar year
Key Program Activity Areas
Creating (Artistic Development and Production)
- Research and development of artistic concepts
- Creation of new artworks and cultural expressions
- Production of artistic works across disciplines
- Collaborative Indigenous-led artistic projects
Knowing (Cultural Knowledge and Transmission)
- Preservation and transmission of cultural knowledge
- Mentorship and intergenerational learning activities
- Artistic training and skill development
- Language preservation through artistic practice
- Community-based cultural initiatives
- Engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers
Sharing (Distribution and Public Engagement)
- Exhibitions and artistic presentations
- Festivals and cultural events
- Publishing and dissemination of works
- Outreach and community engagement activities
- National and international distribution of artistic works
- Networking and partnership-building initiatives
Eligible Activities
- Artistic research, creation, and production
- Indigenous-led collaborations with other artists
- Residencies and mentorship programs
- Cultural preservation through artistic practice
- Training and capacity-building in arts and culture
- Exhibitions, performances, and public presentations
- Publishing and dissemination of Indigenous works
- Outreach, festivals, and community engagement activities
- Networking and professional development initiatives
Funding Details
- Maximum funding: up to CAD 300,000
- Project duration: more than 1 year and up to 3 years
- One application allowed per applicant per year
- Additional support may be available for remote communities through the Remote Community Allowance
Eligible Expenses
- Artist and participant fees
- Honoraria and gifts for Elders and Knowledge Keepers
- Equipment purchases directly related to the project
- Accessibility costs (captioning, translation, sign language interpretation, support workers)
- Childcare and dependent care expenses
- Safety-related costs
- Remote community-related additional project costs
Eligibility Criteria
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists and cultural carriers
- Indigenous arts and cultural workers
- Indigenous groups, collectives, and organizations
- For-profit and not-for-profit organizations led by Indigenous professionals
- Projects must be Indigenous-led, even when collaborating with non-Indigenous artists
- Emerging artists and organizations receiving core grants are not eligible
Ineligible Activities
- Fashion modelling projects
- Hunting and trapping activities not connected to artistic practice
- Activities solely focused on ceremony without artistic or cultural development components
- Touring existing works (must apply under Circulation and Touring stream instead)
Indigenous Leadership Requirement
- All projects must be led by eligible Indigenous artists or cultural professionals
- Non-Indigenous collaborators may participate only under Indigenous leadership
- Indigenous cultural authority and decision-making must remain central
Program Objectives
- Strengthen Indigenous artistic creation and innovation
- Support preservation of cultural knowledge and languages
- Promote intergenerational learning and mentorship
- Expand visibility of Indigenous arts nationally and internationally
- Support sustainable Indigenous cultural ecosystems
- Increase accessibility and dissemination of Indigenous cultural works
Key Selection Priorities
- Strong Indigenous leadership and cultural grounding
- Clear focus on long-term artistic and cultural development
- Demonstrated impact on knowledge transmission or creation
- Community engagement and intergenerational involvement
- Accessibility and inclusion in project design
- Feasible multi-year implementation plan
Conclusion
The Long-Term Projects Grant Program in Canada provides substantial multi-year funding to support Indigenous-led artistic and cultural development. By focusing on creation, knowledge preservation, and sharing, the program strengthens Indigenous cultural continuity, supports intergenerational transmission, and expands the visibility and sustainability of Indigenous arts across Canada and beyond.
For more information, visit Canada Council for the Arts.
