Funding for Initiatives Supporting Equity-Seeking Communities in Alberta (Canada)
GrantID: 74758
Grant Funding Amount Low: $500
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Amount High: $25,000
Summary
This funding opportunity supports artists and artist groups located in Edmonton and nearby Indigenous communities within the region. Its purpose is to help creative practitioners who face systemic inequities—such as those related to Indigenous heritage, racial identity, disability, LGBTQ2S+ status, or immigration challenges—advance their artistic practices in ways that feel authentic and empowering.
There are three distinct funding streams available:
Creative Exploration: Offers modest support to individuals or groups to explore or experiment without the need for completed production.
Professional Development: Funds up to mid-range levels to help artists build skills, pursue mentorships, or attend artistic residencies.
Major Projects: Offers substantial support for fully formed artist-driven works that are ready for production or presentation.
Eligible applicants include individual artists who are residents of the region and meet basic criteria for age and legal status, as well as artist collectives with a designated lead applicant and a majority of members meeting those same criteria. Only one application per applicant per cycle is allowed, and previous funding or overdue reporting may affect eligibility.
Applications open annually, with submission deadlines typically around early summer (June). Funding decisions are made after review and adjudication by a panel of peers, and some applicants may receive support to help finalize their applications, including coaching for accessibility needs or draft reviews.
Grants vary from modest exploratory amounts up to five figures, depending on the scale and ambition of the proposed project. The approach is flexible—supporting creative processes of all sizes that align with the initiative's focus on equity and access.
In short, this grant is an opportunity for underrepresented artists in the community to pursue creative work in ways that feel true to their identity, whether it’s trying something new, growing professionally, or launching a major project.
Those working in Community Development & Services and located in Alberta may meet the eligibility criteria for this grant. To browse other funding opportunities suited to your focus areas, visit The Grant Portal and try the Search Grant tool.
Eligible Regions
Interests
Eligible Requirements
