ELIGIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS & COLLECTIVES

Individuals must:

• Have an existing and committed practice in any arts discipline (including but not limited to customary and contemporary Indigenous or other cultural work) or have a history of other professional activity in the arts sector.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a resident of Edmonton / amiskwaciy- waskâhikan at the time of the application and for the duration of the project. This includes the City of Edmonton and the Indigenous communities of Enoch Cree Nation, Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation (artists may be asked to provide proof of residency).
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) – grants are considered taxable income.
• *NEW Individuals or collectives may only have one grant active at a time. Applicants must finish any previous projects and submit their final reports before applying for new funding.
• *If you applied to Individuals & Collectives Winter 2026, you can also apply for this opportunity. However, if your Individuals & Collectives Winter 2026 grant is approved for funding, EAC staff will advise you to withdraw your application from the Equity & Access 2026 program.

Collectives also must:

• Have a majority of members who are eligible individuals as described above; and
• Have one individual (the primary applicant) apply on behalf of the collective.

WHAT ELSE TO CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING

• The EAC will accept only one submission per applicant, per deadline.
• An individual may be a part of more than one collective.
• An individual who is part of more than one collective may not be the primary applicant on more than one application.

WHAT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THIS PROGRAM

• Advanced education, such as would lead to a degree or diploma.
• Projects that primarily benefit an organization rather than an individual or collective.
• Costs already supported by the EAC through other programs.
• Activities or costs that occurred before the application deadline. 

If you have questions about your eligibility or need clarification on any aspect of your application, call 780−424−2787 or contact ⁠grants@​edmontonarts.​ca.

RESOURCES

Please visit the Resources section of our website for more information on profile and application expectations:

• Video resources: https://​www​.edmon​tonarts​.ca/re…
• Funding FAQ: https://​www​.edmon​tonarts​.ca/re…

ACCESS SUPPORT

Those facing barriers while completing their application may request Access Support for up to $500 to assist with submitting an application. A barrier can include but is not limited to, language, culture, physical or cognitive limitations such as those that may be considered a disability, or any similar complication that an applicant may face while completing an application. This could include hiring a typist, interpreter, translator, or other type of support worker to help with submitting a clear application that accurately reflects the artist’s ideas and intentions.

Professional grant writers are not supported by this program as the support is intended for accessibility needs.

For more information, and to download an Access Support Request Form, please visit the Access Support page.

DRAFT APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

The Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) offers Draft Application Assistance to help applicants strengthen their applications before the deadline. These are 30-minute one-on-one video or phone meetings with a Program Advisor, where you (and anyone working on your project) can ask questions and get guidance on your upcoming application.

During a Draft Application Assistance meeting, we can help you: 

• Clarify which funding stream best aligns with your project’s goals and outcomes.
• Refine the intentions and outcomes of your project.
• Review your budget and supporting materials for clarity and relevance.
• Optional: EAC staff can provide feedback from a previous unsuccessful application, so that it may be applied to a current application if relevant. If you would like this feedback on a past application, please indicate that when you request the meeting.

Important details:

• Your draft application must be complete in SmartSimple at least 24 hours before your scheduled meeting, or your meeting may be rescheduled.
• Be sure to book early; the first-come, first-served meeting spots are limited and tend to fill up quickly.
• Book your Draft Application Assistance meeting here: https://​out​look​.office​.com/boo…

REVISION REQUESTS

In the two weeks following the application deadline, if your application requires an update or additional information you may receive a Revision Request by email. If this information is mandatory, you will be informed and if not completed it may result in your application being withdrawn from assessment. You must log in to the SmartSimple portal to see the details of your Revision Request, as well as the deadline for submission. Revisions Requests are given no more than one week to complete. Instructions for accessing Revisions Requests are provided as a PDF in the email notification. Revisions that are incomplete after the deadline will be contacted with a notice of withdrawal where applicable.

Please add support@​edmontonarts.​ca to your safe senders list to ensure you don’t miss notifications from SmartSimple, and ensure you are checking your email to see if your application requires attention.

Email grants@​edmontonarts.​ca to ask for assistance about any of our support for applicants.

The deadline for submissions is May 1 by 11:59 AM (noon).

Please note, the deadline is 11:59 AM, not PM. Late applications or those that do not include all required information will be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.

Apply through the EAC’s online portal SmartSimple:

Complete (or update) an individual profile in the online portal eac​.smart​sim​ple​.ca. This is required by whoever is submitting the application (the primary applicant).

If the application is for a collective, all named members of the collective based in Edmonton will need individual profiles in SmartSimple by the application deadline.

Once a profile has been made, the Equity & Access in the Arts grant application form is made available in SmartSimple under the​“Open Opportunities” icon. If the applicant already has a profile, the Equity & Access application will be visible a minimum of 30 days before the application deadline.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

First, the Arts Development and Investment team ensures the submitted applications meet the program’s eligibility criteria and are complete. Then a panel of diverse, knowledgeable members from the artistic community will review the applications and conduct a peer assessment. Applications are evaluated by the criteria listed in the guidelines for each grant. The peer assessors will make recommendations to the EAC. Following assessment, EAC staff summarize all relevant information when presenting investment outcomes for approval. Decisions made through this process are final.

This process will take 12 to 16 weeks. Thank you for your patience!

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment of a project is based on the following general criteria: 

• Artistic Merit: The established artistic practice of the primary applicant and all collective members will be considered along with the artistic intention(s) of the proposed project and its goals.

• Feasibility: The applicant’s ability to successfully carry out the proposed project, considering the practicality of the timeline, budget, and the suitability of any partners or collaborators.

• Impact: The impact of the project on the applicant(s) including their artistic practice, artistic discipline, artistic growth and any potential impact to the Edmonton arts sector. In cases of projects that have a public component, the impact on the Edmonton public will also be considered.

• Alignment: The project’s goals and outcomes should align with the overall intentions of the Equity & Access in the Arts program and the specific stream within which it is being proposed.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants who receive funding through this grant opportunity will be required to submit a report on the work that they undertook. For applications connected to a specific project, the applicant will be expected to assess the outcomes of the project with respect to the goals that they articulated in their application, and confirm that the budget was spent as submitted in your application – a written overview is acceptable, and receipts are not required.

Final reports are under the My Action Items section of your SmartSimple homepage and are due three (3) months after the stated Project End Date. 

Applicants must finish any previous projects and submit their final reports before applying for new funding.

PROJECT AMENDMENTS

The EAC understands that projects may not go as planned. Key contributors may need to change; activities may need to shift, or a short extension may be required to complete the activities and outcomes of the project.

If your requested extension is within a reasonable timeframe (i.e. within a calendar year of your original proposal), and there will be no change to the artistic intentions or personnel on your project, your amendment request is likely to be approved. If there is going to be a material change to the artistic intentions or contributors on your project, ensure that you provide clear reasoning. Grants are evaluated based on artistic qualities, and any fundamental changes may impact the distribution of your funds.

If you believe you may need to request a Project Amendment, email grants@​edmontonarts.​ca with the following information:

Your Name:

The Application ID of your successful grant:

The original Project Start and End Dates as stated in your application (in MM/DD/YYYY format):
Start Date:
End Date:

The proposed Project Start and End Dates for your extension (in MM/DD/YYYY format):
Start Date:
End Date:

A brief reasoning for your extension request with details as to why your project is being re-evaluated or delayed:

Please note that, if your Project Amendment is approved, your Final Report will be due three (3) months after your new Project End Date.

WHAT STREAM 3 SUPPORTS

Stream 3 supports artistic projects ready for implementation. This can include production and/​or presentation, creation directly for production and/​or presentation, subsistence for individual or collective creation, and may include travel and/​or mentorship when the primary focus of the project is production and/​or presentation.

Applications to Stream 3 should be connected to specific work, with the intention of production and/​or presentation of that work. Applicants should only consider production or presentation once the major artistic and logistic decisions relating to a project have been made.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 based on the anticipated costs of the project, including artist subsistence.

WHAT IS A GOOD FIT

Examples of Artist-Driven Major Projects might include:

• A visual artist plans to 3D print a thousand magpies, each in a slightly different pose, and has permission to install them along the railing of the High Level Bridge for a summer.
• A collective of capoeira dance artists seek to develop and present a new work designed to be performed as part of a presentation series.
• An illustrator and writer team collaborate on completing and self-publishing a graphic novel telling the experience of an immigrant family learning to integrate into a Terwillegar neighbourhood.
• A contemporary string quartet works as a collective to compose, rehearse, and record an album. They include costs for studio time, production/​engineering, mixing and mastering.
• A game designer seeks funds to prototype character and setting design for their new cooperative game.

Applications with individual proposals for research, exploration or experimentation should submit to Stream 1.

Applications with proposals for receiving mentorship, attending residencies or professional development should submit to Stream 2.

GENERAL

• A project title;
• A short project description (30 words);
• Project start and end date;*
• Grant amount requested (up to $25,000).

* Project start date must be after the application deadline.

ARTIST BACKGROUND

The information in this section will be directly imported into your application from the Primary Applicant’s individual profile in SmartSimple. Please ensure your profile is up-to-date and submitted before completing your application. 

• Artist name – the name that you use publicly as an artist if different than your preferred name;
• Artist primary and secondary discipline – these will be the primary applicants’ main artistic disciplines in which they have the most experience. This may be different than the artistic discipline(s) of the project that this application is for;
• Artist statement – a description of your existing artistic practice which may include major influences, disciplines, cultural practices and/​or lived experience (250 words);
• Artist biography – a summary of your life and career highlights, and education relevant to your practice (250 words);
• Artist CV/​Resume – artistic work history or comparable (PDF, recommended maximum of 4 pages);
• Online presence – these links are used by the assessors as additional information on your professional artistic practice. Please only include public links to information that will support your application.

PROJECT DETAILS

• Project primary discipline (drop down menu);
• Project secondary discipline (check all that apply).

If applicable to your project:

• Collective Members Contact Details and Role Descriptions* (fillable table);
• Collective Member(s) artist CV/​Resume/​Biography (PDF)*;
• Mentors, Elders or Knowledge Keepers Role Descriptions; 
• Additional Information from Mentors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers which may include a biography, personal narrative, CV/​resume, or comparable;
• The names and role descriptions of any additional project collaborators NOT LISTED as Collective Members, Mentors, Elders, or Knowledge Keepers.

* All Collective Members living in Edmonton must also have a completed SmartSimple profile at the time of the application.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• A categorization of your project (drop down menu);
• A description of your project (500 words);
• The goals for the project, and how you plan to measure your pursuit of those goals (250 words);
• A project plan including a clear timeline (250 words);
• The desired impact of the project on the work of the individual or collective (250 words);
• Other information not already shared (250 words).

PROJECT BUDGET

Video resources: Budget resource videos

Revenues must include the Grant Amount Requested in this application. Other revenues may include:

• Contributions from the applicant;
• Anticipated sales from tickets, merchandise, or other revenue generated from the project;
• In-kind donations from anyone connected to the project;
• Monetary donations to the project from other sources;
• Additional grant funding from other sources;
• Sponsorship contributions.

Expenses may include:

• Paying artists (individuals and/​or collective members) at a professional rate OR through artist subsistence;*
• Providing payment to mentors, collaborators, and/​or technical staff at professional rates OR with honourariums;
• Production / presentation / performance costs;
• Expenses related to marketing, communications, dissemination of the project;
• Venue / studio space, as required;
• Renting and/​or purchasing equipment, tools, software and/​or materials required for work proposed; 
• Travel costs related to the project, if applicable (accommodations, travel outside Edmonton, per diems, etc.).

*Individual artists on the project can receive artist subsistence OR professional fees/​wages BUT NOT BOTH. The EAC sets subsistence at $500 per week. If you are including fees/​wages that are different that this amount, please provide supporting documentation for the amounts you specify. 

All budget information must be entered directly into the online form. Use the ​“notes” section of each line to identify or explain each revenue and expense.

Your budget must balance.

Please also upload budget supporting documents (PDF), including but not limited to:

• Quotations from suppliers;
• Standard fee schedules;
• Correspondence that confirms rates;
• Confirmation of other grants or funding support for the initiative.

*Do not upload a spreadsheet of your complete budget – this must be filled in through the table in the application form.

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Video resource: What should I include in support materials?

Please consider that assessors have a limited amount of time (roughly 10 minutes per application) to review your support material, so being clear and concise, and ensuring that all material is relevant to your current work and project is important. Supporting material is both your portfolio to establish Artistic Merit, as well as additional information to add to the Feasibility of your project.

Supporting Material is required and important for the accurate assessment of your application. To support your application, you may upload up to 10 audio/​visual/​PDF files and up to 5 direct links to external websites related to your proposed project.

• These must include samples of your artistic work, but may also be letters of support, reviews, interviews, etc.;
• For each supporting material uploaded, you are required to provide a description of the material which could include creation date, medium, location, names of artists, etc.;
• Uploaded video or audio files should total no more than 10 minutes in length, and all files should be less than 2GB in size. Uploads are preferable to links whenever possible, so that access for assessors is as simple as possible;
• Links must be direct and public. These links should go directly to the support material specified, rather than to a landing page or home page requiring further navigation by assessors.

Please do not provide links that go through file sharing sites or subscription sites that require an account to access, such as Spotify, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., or online portals that require an account to access. This is for the privacy of assessors, as well as to have direct access.

Please do not submit images as PDF files, rather directly upload images in JPEG or PNG format.

Assessment will be based on what’s outlined in these guidelines, as well as:

• Artistic Merit: The established artistic practice of the primary applicant and all collective members will be considered along with the artistic intention(s) and goals of the proposed project.
• Feasibility: The applicant’s ability to successfully carry out the proposed project, considering the suitability of specified plan, timeline and budget.
• Impact: Project’s impact on the applicant’(s) artistic practice and artistic discipline, as well as any potential impact on the Edmonton arts sector. In cases of projects that have a public component, the impact on the Edmonton public will also be considered.
• Alignment: The alignment of the project’s goals and outcomes with the Equity & Access in the Arts program and the specific intentions for Stream 3 to support production and/​or presentation, creation directly for production and/​or presentation, and subsistence for individual or collective creation that are connected to a specific work.