An Artist’s Reading of the New Funding Model Implemented by the Canada Council for the Arts in 2017

Key points and programme summaries

by jef chippewa

In May 2017, the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) implemented a New Funding Model (NFM) for the support they offer to Canadian artists and artistic groups and organizations. The restructured suite of arts grant programmes that is now available reflects an important renewal in the thinking behind arts funding.

Essential information about the new structure is presented in the first half of this consideration of the NFM: grant types, the online portal and user profiles, deadlines, travel and application limits. In the second half, the programmes and their individual components are summarized. An annex gives an “Overview of the CCA’s Programme Components” in chart form.

All of the following information is, of course, available on the Canada Council for the Arts website. What is provided here is a summary of what I feel will prove to be crucial points not only for established artists who are already somewhat familiar with the CCA’s programmes but also for emerging artists who are still familiarizing themselves with the arts funding programmes the CCA manages under its New Funding Model.

In my opinion, the new structure is an extremely positive development; however, the point of this text is not to discuss its pros and cons, nor its successes and failures, but rather to provide insights to help other artists, arts professionals, groups and organizations navigate the NFM.

New Funding Model = New Protocol

For those who have experience with the previous funding model, it will be useful to be aware of the general changes, but more importantly, the very specific changes that have been implemented. These are largely structural — broadly speaking, the same practices are supported as before — but during the Canada Council’s informational webinar in January 2017, a subtle but insistent emphasis on impact and outcomes as opposed to what might be called “artistic entities” was evident. That is, the CCA is now aligned along a model that places increased value on the effects and impact of artistic activities in addition to the creation of artistic products or “objects”. In other words, just as important as the fact that you have created an amazing new piece for an internationally renowned ensemble is the creative or professional process you have undergone in doing so. The real and potential benefits of this process should be tangible in terms of your personal artistic development and the enhancement of your professional career, as well as your contribution to the advancement of a given artistic practice.

Overall, the CCA does not seem to have gone “full corporate” on this point but it would be very advisable to pay close attention to the shift in language and terminology, both now (with the 2017 implementation of the NFM) and in the future.

General Information

New Structure

There are six grant programmes in the New Funding Model (NFM), each having a range of two to seven components; there are (presently) 30 components in total. 1[1. The programmes and their individual components are summarized below.] This new structure was implemented in 2017 and replaces 147 programmes that were spread across multiple disciplines in the previous model (visual arts, media arts, dance, music, theatre, writing & publishing).

For those familiar with the previous funding structure, one of the most important changes to note is that the programmes are no longer oriented around distinct and separate artistic disciplines but rather around activities related to various stages of artistic practice. This means that a composer, dancer, actor, video artist and writer now all apply as individual artists to the same component of a programme for the creation of new work. This is in contrast to the previous funding structure, which had a range of individual and similarly structured grant programmes grouped in separate administrative sections supporting their respective artistic disciplines.

Grant Types: Project, Composite, Core and Micro

There are project grants (generally an individual, time-constrained activity) and composite grants (multiple related activities that may or may not be undertaken in adjacent timeframes) available to individual artists, groups, publishers and organizations, core grants available only to publishers and institutions, and micro grants available only through the Small-Scale Activities component.

Think of composite grants as (normally) having a more complex timeline than a project grant. E.g., travel to attend a premiere would be a project grant, whereas a creative research project in March-April with a residency in August to complete a new work around this research followed by travel to attend its premiere in December would constitute a composite grant. The following components offer composite grants:

• Explore and Create: Concept to Realization
• Supporting Artistic Practice: Sector Innovation and Development
• Arts Across Canada: Public Outreach

Core grants support the annual operations of groups, associations and institutions that serve a community of artists, either through network-based or (one-off or recurring) project-based activities.

Micro grants offer small amounts (max. $3000) for artistic and career advancement and are only available through the Small-Scale Activities component of the Creating, Knowing and Sharing programme.

Creating an Account and Profile to Submit Applications

You must create an online Account on the CCA Portal and submit an Applicant Profile for validation a minimum of 30 days before you submit your first application to any of the components.

Applicant Profiles can be defined as representing:

• Individual/Assessor 2[2. Peer Assessors participate in the jurying process of applications made to the CCA by other applicants.]
• Organization
• Groups

You may have more than one Applicant Profile in your account if you have different roles in your artistic activities; for example, you are a practising artistic Individual but also an Arts Manager in an Organization, as well as the contact person or manager of a Group. In this case, you create an Applicant Record for every Applicant Profile that you manage (each of which must be validated!). Furthermore, it is critical that this information be kept up-to-date for future applications.

Defining Your Profile

The CCA has defined over 150 applicant profiles for individuals, groups, collectives, organizations and more across a variety of disciplines, covering an extremely wide range of professions in the artistic sector. To name but a few 3[3. Consult the “Applicant Profiles” [PDF] document available on each of the CCA website’s programme pages for the full list of CCA-recognized profiles.]:

• Artist (in various disciplines)
• Cinematheque
• Circus Artist
• Cultural Carrier
• Cultural Connector
• Dance Festival
• Deaf and Disability Festival or Presenter
• Digital Arts Independent Curator
• Foreign Theatre Organization
• Literary Event Organizer
• Shared Producing Platform
• University Gallery…

Some important things to keep in mind are 4[4. Consult the CCA website for more detailed information on these points.]:

• Each Applicant Profile is eligible to apply to only a subset of the CCA’s programmes.
• If you have more than one Applicant Profile, the subset of available programmes could potentially be quite different for each of them.
• You can submit your application in either of Canada’s two official languages.
• Keep an eye on the portal for upcoming deadlines (for all programmes).

Eligibility and Available Forms

When you are logged in to your account, the bottom part of the Dashboard (the personalized and profile-specific user interface) lists those programmes for which the system deems your selected Applicant Profile to be eligible; i.e. an artistic Individual will not find info or forms for the Supporting Artistic Practice: Support Organizations programme in their dashboard, just as an Organization will not find Explore and Create: Research and Creation in theirs. 5[5. Information and forms for all components can be accessed on the CCA’s website at all times.]

Note that some of your artistic activities might be eligible in multiple components. For example, an artistic Individual planning to undertake a residency could submit a project application to either the Residency (Arts Abroad) or Research and Creation (Explore and Create) components, or as one facet of a composite application to Concept to Realization (Explore and Create).

Organizations that are receiving core (operating) grants are not eligible to apply for some components for which they would otherwise be eligible.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, professional, groups and organizations can apply to components related directly to their practices in the Creating, Knowing and Sharing programme, as well as to specific components in the Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad programmes.

Ineligible expenses include fundraising and capital expenditures; activities related to ongoing studies or that are funded through SSHRC (with the exception of Creating, Knowing and Sharing components) are also ineligible, as are self-publishing and illegal activities. Consult the CCA’s “General List of Ineligible Activities” for more complete and detailed information.

Deadlines, “Open” Deadlines and Notification

The CCA has keenly proclaimed the non-existence of deadlines for some components, but a closer reading of their documentation from the perspective of an individual or organization working out budgets and planning for a project makes it clear that the impact of not getting an application in before their non-deadlines is pretty much the same as in the old model, with its “real” deadlines.

Indeed, twelve of the components (40% of the total) officially have no specific deadlines. Applications to the five travel-related components (Travel, as well as Representation and Promotion) can be submitted any time before your departure date, and to Translation (in Arts Abroad only) or Small-Scale Activities any time before the start date of the project. However, it is useful to know that for five components, many of which are very relevant to individual artists, there is a structure in place that in essence — for our understanding and planning as artists — works like the CCA’s previous deadlines calendar:

• Professional Development for Artists (Explore and Create)
• Research and Creation (Explore and Create)
• Concept to Realization (Explore and Create)
• Professional Development for Arts Professionals (Supporting Artistic Practice)
• Residencies (Arts Abroad)

For example, while the description of “deadlines” for these components is “Any time before start date,” immediately afterwards we are informed that if your application is received by date x you should expect to receive results by date y (at the moment, 3–4 months following the non-deadline of date x). In other words, given that there are varyingly two or three assessment periods in the year, individual artists would be wise to think of having fixed (online) submission deadlines for these programmes: 31 March for each of these five components, and additionally (depending on the component and project) one or two of 30 September, 31 October, 15 November, 31 December. 6[6. Check the individual components for details. Also consult the chart prepared as an Annex to this article: “Overview of the Canada Council for the Arts’ Programme Components: Eligibility, activities supported and deadlines.” The June 2017 dates currently listed on the CCA website (accessed in December 2017) were specific to the changeover period from the old programmes to the NFM.] But, of course, it can never hurt to submit your application before the deadline… or non-deadline.

For components with specific deadlines, results are sent out to the applicants within three months of the deadline, with the exception of core grants, the results of which are sent out half a year after the deadline. For travel-related projects, including promotion and representation, as well as the Small-Scale Activities component, notification should be received within two months of applying.

Travel

Amounts awarded for travel are fixed values that are calculated according to whether you are travelling within Canada (min. 300 km) or outside Canada (min. 500 km). Travel involving places outside Canada is in the $750–2500 range. Within Canada the amount varies from $500–$3500 according to the province of your starting point and destination, and these price differences reflect — as would be expected — the realities of travel within and between the different regions of Canada. 7[7. As of 15 December 2017, the amounts are set at $750 for travel between British Columbia and most eastern Canadian destinations (exception: $1000 for Newfoundland/Labrador), and $3500 for travel between Yukon and Nunavut, but $500 for travel between the neighbouring Yukon and Northwest Territories. Check the online travel cost calculator on the CCA site for up-to-date precisions.]

This travel tariff table applies to the following components:

• Travel (Creating, Knowing and Sharing; Arts Across Canada; Arts Abroad)
• Professional Development for Artists (Explore and Create)
• Professional Development for Arts Professionals (Supporting Artistic Practice)
• Representation and Promotion (Arts Abroad)

Application Limits

Some components have a limit of one application per year (1 March – 28/29 February), whether the application is successful or not, whether the applicant is eligible or not. This is succinctly summarized on the CCA website as follows (“Annual Application Limits,” on the CCA website).

The overriding limits are as follows:

• “Individuals and groups, as well as organizations not receiving core (operating) grants may submit a maximum of 3 applications to the Council each year.
• Organizations receiving core (operating) grants may submit a maximum of 2 project applications to the Council each year, in addition to their core grant request every 2 or 4 years.”

Note that there are certain components that do not count towards this overriding limit (notably Travel and Translation grants, and in fact most of Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad components), so that artists can “respond to invitations and other time-sensitive opportunities” (CCA 2017). You can submit three applications to these components per year as well. 8[8. This is best understood by consulting the tables in the CCA document “Annual Application Limits Overview” [PDF].]

Therefore, it is important to coordinate your applications for various projects wisely. Or, in the CCA’s words, “If you are planning several projects in a year, you will want to strategize which projects to submit to the Canada Council for support” (Ibid., italics mine).

It might also prove wise to take advantage whenever possible of their new composite grant structure, where multiple individual activities that together form a multi-stage project can constitute a single application.

Summary of the Programmes

There are six grant programmes in the New Funding Model, each having a range of two to seven components. Important to note is that some projects or activities (or aspects thereof) may be eligible in more than one component, depending on the nature and timeline of the activity.

The subtitles of the programmes are included here because they are perhaps more informative to those unfamiliar with the changes than the titles themselves. They may also prove helpful in orienting oneself through the various opportunities for which a given activity might be eligible. Generally, however, only the titles are used to refer to the programmes.

An overview of each programme is followed by cursory descriptions of the goals of its individual components. Click on the linked names of the programmes and components to consult more detailed information on the CCA’s website.

Unless otherwise specified as Micro, Composite or Core grants, the components offer Project grants.

Explore and Create: Expanding Canadian Arts Practice

Grant types? Project, composite and core.
Who can apply? Artists, professionals, groups, collectives, publishers and organizations.
What does it support? Research, creation, production and the presentation of new work(s). 9[9. Consult the individual grant programmes and components on the CCA website for more complete information than these summaries provide.]

Providing funding for “Canadian artists, artistic groups and organizations committed to the creation and dissemination of innovative, vibrant and diverse art,” 10[10. All quotes are from the Canada Council for the Arts website unless otherwise noted.] the Explore and Create programme is “focussed on research, development, exploration and innovation in the creation of new work advancing their art form” (Video 1).

• [1001] Professional Development for Artists supports artists (individual and collectives), curators and groups for specific activities that develop and advance their artistic practice(s) and career (internships, training and workshops, for example).
• [1002] Research and Creation supports individuals, groups and organizations in the early stages of the creative process (research, creation, project development and residencies, for example).
• [1003] Concept to Realization supports individuals, groups, organizations and publishers throughout the entire creative cycle, from research and development through to public presentation, exhibition or publication. Can also be a composite application.
• [1004] Artist-Driven Organizations offers core support for organizations throughout the entire creative cycle, from research, creation and production to public dissemination.

Engage and Sustain: Cultivating Strong Canadian Creative Communities

Grant types? Core.
Who can apply? Organizations.
What does it support? Programming, public outreach, diverse artistic activities, the Canadian arts sector.

The Engage and Sustain programme provides foundational support for organizations that are committed to furthering excellence in the arts and recognizes their leadership in advancing, renewing and sustaining artistic practices through “ongoing, sustainable, high-quality artistic activities” (Video 2) that holistically respond to the changing needs of diverse artistic communities.

• [2001] Artistic Catalysts offers core support for organizations “that play a pivotal role in nurturing [evolving and community-oriented] artistic practices” and cultivate relationships between artists and with the public.
• [2002] Artistic Institutions offers core support for major organizations whose activities and leadership aim to “encourage and promote the work of creators, strengthening their relationships with the public.”

Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples

Grant types? Micro, project and core.
Who can apply? Individuals, groups and organizations creating or supporting indigenous arts culture.
What does it support? Research, training, production, career and artistic development, materials and expenses.

The Creating, Knowing and Sharing programme is “guided by aboriginal artists’ values and world views” and supports “customary and contemporary artistic and cultural practices by First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, collectives and organizations,” thereby enriching and fostering the “vitality of indigenous artists, artistic practices and communities” as well as their representation in Canada and abroad (Video 3).

• [3001] Travel allows artists, professionals, groups, collectives and organizations to attend significant events in Canada or abroad that help them “access new markets or build national and international presence.”
• [3002] Small-Scale Activities provides Micro grants to artists, groups, collectives and organizations for materials, activities or exchanges that encourage artistic development or offer “specific expertise, advice or training.”
• [3003] Short-Term Projects provides support to artists, professionals, groups, collectives and organizations for projects lasting up to one year that involve “any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities.”
• [3004] Long-Term Projects provides support to artists, professionals, groups, collectives and organizations for projects lasting from one to three years that involve “any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities.”
• [3005] Indigenous Organizations offers core support to organizations whose activities — which may involve collaboration with non-indigenous artists and organizations — explore “innovative strategies for Indigenous creative and cultural expression.”

Supporting Artistic Practice: Building a Connected and Supportive Art Sector

Grant types? Project, composite and core.
Who can apply? Artists, professionals, groups, collectives, publishers, organizations, as well as CCA-recognized Support Organizations and National Arts Service Organizations (NASO).
What does it support? Research, adaptation, publishing projects and activities, sharing and learning, as well as the organization and provision of targeted resources, services and opportunities.

Aimed at individuals and organizations who offer dynamic support systems “that underpin artistic practice and advance the arts sector,” the Supporting Artistic Practice programme helps them “deliver artistic activity to the public” (William Lau, in Video 4) by supporting “collaboration, targeted initiatives and career development opportunities” that result in shared knowledge, expertise and resources.

• [4001] Professional Development for Arts Professionals funds arts professionals and cultural connectors to participate in expertise-sharing opportunities that stimulate their career growth, thereby helping them better serve “the advancement of Canadian arts professionals.”
• [4002] Sector Innovation and Development offers support to cultural connectors and sector builders, groups and organizations for research, services, networking and “projects targeted towards growing and improving the arts sector.” Can also be a composite application.
• [4003] Literary Publishing Projects provides funding to publishers for activities that support and promote Canadian writers, such as “the publication of literary books and magazines.”
• [4004] Literary Publishers offers core support to publishers who support and promote Canadian writers through activities such as “the publication of literary books and magazines.”
• [4005] Support Organizations offers core support for organizations that provide “targeted resources and opportunities” aimed at bolstering “the creative and professional capacities of artists” and advancing “a particular artistic practice, group of artists and/or arts organizations.”
• [4006] National Arts Service Organizations offers core support for organizations whose representation and promotional activities are geared towards “developing and sustaining the vitality of the Canadian professional arts sector” on a national level.

Arts Across Canada: Connecting Canadian Audiences and Artists

Grant types? Project, composite and core.
Who can apply? Artists, professionals, groups, collectives, publishers, organizations, as well as CCA-recognized Support Organizations and National Arts Service Organizations (NASO).
What does it support? Travel, touring, circulation and dissemination of artists or works, representation and promotion, translation, strategizing and development of markets and networks.

The Arts Across Canada programme aims to foment “better access to diverse forms of expression and artistic experiences” in all regions of the country (Video 5) by supporting activities that initiate or reinforce dynamic relationships, dissemination, sharing and exchange between artists, arts professionals, groups and arts organizations and the Canadian public.

• [5001] Travel helps artists, professionals, groups and organizations enhance their national presence and partnerships by offering support to attend significant events (e.g. presentation of their work) or “to conduct research for Canadian artistic programming.”
• [5002] Representation and Promotion funds organizations for travel related to “the development of new markets” and other promotional activities that support “Canadian artists and artistic works.”
• [5003] Translation funds groups, organizations and publishers for “activities linked to the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works into French, English or an Aboriginal… language for Canadian publication or presentation.”
• [5004] Circulation and Touring helps Canadian artists, groups and organizations “build national exposure” and expand their audiences by supporting national touring activities involving exhibitions, presentations and/or performances.
• [5005] Foreign Artist Tours offers support to not-for-profit arts organizations that wish to “provide new experiences to the Canadian public” through exhibitions, presentations and/or performances of international artists.
• [5006] Public Outreach supports initiatives (e.g., live events, publications) by groups, organizations and architecture professionals “that build connections between artists and diverse audiences” and thereby “contribute to the public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts.” Can also be a composite application.
• [5007] Arts Festivals and Presenters helps organizations “strengthen artistic practice, and build bridges between artists and audiences” by offering core support for activities that “present and exhibit quality art and literary works to Canadian audiences.”

Arts Abroad: Connecting Canadian Artists to the World

Grant types? Project.
Who can apply? Artists, professionals, groups, collectives, publishers, Canadian and foreign organizations, as well as CCA-recognized Support Organizations and National Arts Service Organizations (NASO).
What does it support? Creation, travel, touring, circulation and dissemination of artists or works, representation and promotion, translation, collaboration and exchange, co-productions with foreign organizations.

The Arts Abroad programme reinforces the international reach and presence of Canadian art works and their experience by global audiences, as well as the recognition of the “creativity, excellence, diversity and innovation” in Canadian arts practices by providing support for reciprocal engagement in “global networks, collaborations and exchanges to enrich their practices and perspectives” (Video 6).

• [6001] Travel helps artists, professionals, groups and organizations enhance their international presence and partnerships by offering support to attend significant events outside of Canada.
• [6002] Representation and Promotion funds Canadian as well as foreign organizations for travel supporting the international representation of Canadian artists and the fostering of “Canadian arts practice in the global arts market.”
• [6003] Translation funds groups, organizations and publishers for “translation of Canadian dramatic works or literary works for international presentation or publication.”
• [6004] Circulation and Touring helps “increase the visibility of Canadian artists and their works abroad” by supporting Canadian artists, groups and organizations undertaking “activities linked to artistic exchange and networking.”
• [6005] Residencies provides funding to artists, professionals, groups and organizations for international exchanges and residencies that encourage “artistic growth, creative reflection and professional development.”
• [6006] Co-productions offers support for artistic or financial partnerships between Canadian groups and organizations and foreign arts organizations that result in new works or exhibitions developed by the Canadian partner.

Conclusion

While nothing has been said here about the New Funding Model that is not presented in more detail on the Canada Council for the Arts’ website, it is hoped that this examination and outline provide artists, arts professionals and arts organizations with a succinct yet informative resource to help them navigate this new arts funding structure.

Bibliography

Canada Council for the Arts (CCA). Homepage. http://canadacouncil.ca

_____. “Annual Application Limits.” http://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/guide/apply-to-programs/annual-application-limits [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Annual Application Limits [Overview].” http://canadacouncil.ca/-/media/Files/CCA/Funding/Grants/Guide/AnnualApplicationLimits_EN.pdf [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Applicant Profiles.” http://canadacouncil.ca/-/media/Files/CCA/Funding/Grants/ApplicantProfiles_EN.pdf [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Application Assistance.” http://canadacouncil.ca/commitments/equity/application-assistance [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Glossary.” http://canadacouncil.ca/glossary [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Grants.” http://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants [Accessed 30 December 2017]

_____. “Guide to Getting a Grant.” http://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/guide [Accessed 30 December 2017]