Call for Applications: Public Outreach Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 14-Oct-2026

The Public Outreach Grant supports Canadian groups and organizations that connect artists with diverse audiences and promote appreciation of Canadian arts. Applicants can request up to $75,000 per project for activities such as performances, exhibitions, festivals, artist talks, panels, community engagement, knowledge-sharing events, and eligible non-literary publishing. Public Outreach is part of the Arts Across Canada and Abroad program. The grant supports activities that create meaningful relationships between Canadian artists and the public, both within Canada and internationally. The programme aims to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and excellence of Canadian artists by helping their work reach diverse audiences. Projects can focus on presenting artistic work directly to the public or creating opportunities for audiences and communities to engage with artists and their work. The grant supports a broad range of public-facing arts activities.

Eligible activities include:

The programme is designed to support activities that increase public engagement with Canadian artistic work. Applicants can request funding for projects that present Canadian artistic work to audiences.

Examples include:

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activities will connect artists and their work with audiences. The programme also supports activities that help audiences engage more deeply with artists and artistic practices.

Eligible activities can include:

These activities can provide audiences with opportunities to learn directly from artists and participate in cultural dialogue. Eligible projects may also include non-literary publishing. However, promotional materials are excluded from this eligible activity category. Applicants should clearly explain the artistic or public engagement purpose of any proposed publishing activity. The programme is open to a broad range of Canadian arts and cultural organizations, groups, and collectives.

Eligible applicants include:

Organizations that already receive core funding are also eligible to apply. Applicants can request up to $75,000 per project. Additional application conditions include: Applicants should ensure that the proposed budget is realistic and directly connected to eligible project activities and expenses. The grant can support several types of costs associated with delivering public arts activities.

Eligible expenses include:

Equipment purchases are eligible up to 15% of the requested grant amount. Applicants should ensure that equipment costs remain within this limit when preparing their project budget. The programme supports measures that help ensure inclusive public participation. Eligible accessibility expenses can include: Applicants should consider accessibility requirements when designing their project and preparing the budget. The programme places importance on respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices. This is particularly relevant to projects involving Indigenous cultural protocols or materials. Applicants should demonstrate that their activities respect appropriate cultural practices and that Indigenous materials, knowledge, artists, communities, and protocols are handled appropriately. Applications are reviewed by a peer committee.

The assessment considers:

Applicants should therefore provide a clear artistic rationale, realistic implementation plan, and explanation of how the project will connect artists with diverse audiences. A strong application should clearly explain the relationship between the proposed artistic activity, the artists involved, and the audiences or communities that will benefit.

Applicants should describe:

Applicants should also demonstrate why the proposed activity is appropriate for the intended audience and how it will contribute to meaningful public engagement. Public engagement helps artists reach audiences beyond traditional arts settings and creates opportunities for communities to experience Canadian artistic work. Public Outreach supports this connection by funding both artistic presentations and activities that encourage dialogue, knowledge sharing, community participation, and greater appreciation of the arts. The programme’s broad eligibility also allows different types of arts organizations, cultural groups, collectives, and Indigenous organizations to develop public-facing projects. The Public Outreach Grant supports Canadian arts and cultural groups and organizations in delivering activities that connect artists with diverse audiences and increase public appreciation of the arts. Applicants can submit a maximum of two applications per calendar year. Eligible activities include performances, exhibitions, festivals, reading series, events, artistic programming, artist talks, panels, knowledge-sharing events, community engagement activities, and eligible non-literary publishing. Yes. Organizations that receive core funding are also eligible to apply. Yes. Eligible accessibility costs can include sign language interpretation, accessibility audits, and other measures that support inclusive public participation. Yes. Equipment purchases can be included up to 15% of the requested grant amount. Yes. Honoraria for Elders and Knowledge Keepers are among the eligible project expenses. Applications are assessed by a peer committee based on artistic merit, impact on public appreciation and diversity, feasibility, and adherence to respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices. The Public Outreach Grant provides up to $75,000 per project to support Canadian arts organizations, groups, collectives, and eligible Indigenous organizations in connecting artists with diverse audiences. By supporting performances, exhibitions, festivals, artist talks, community engagement, accessibility measures, and other public-facing activities, the programme helps expand public access to and appreciation of Canadian artistic work. For more information, visit Canada Council for the Art