CFAs: Artists in Communities – Development Program (Canada)

Deadline: 05-Dec-2026

The Artists in Communities – Development program provides funding to Saskatchewan-based professional artists, arts professionals, and community organizations to explore partnerships, develop new arts projects, plan residencies, and research community needs. Applicants can receive up to $1,000 for eligible project-development expenses, with additional travel support potentially available for Saskatchewan artists when justified. What Is the Artists in Communities – Development Program? The Artists in Communities – Development stream supports the early stages of collaboration between professional artists or arts professionals and community-based organizations in Saskatchewan. The program is intended for applicants who are exploring an idea but may not yet have a formal partnership or fully developed project.

Funding can help applicants:

- Build relationships between artists and communities. - Explore potential arts and community partnerships. - Develop new creative projects or residency ideas. - Research community needs and priorities. - Plan future arts programming. - Explore new approaches to community engagement. - Identify opportunities for artists to work with organizations and local communities. The focus is on development, relationship-building, research, and project planning, rather than funding a fully implemented project. Why Does This Program Matter? Early-stage planning can determine whether an arts project successfully responds to community needs. The Artists in Communities – Development stream gives Saskatchewan artists and organizations an opportunity to invest time and resources in developing meaningful collaborations before committing to a larger project. The program can help communities and artists: - Identify shared goals. - Understand local needs. - Develop stronger partnerships. - Test potential project concepts. - Plan future residencies or creative activities. - Increase community participation in the arts. - Develop more inclusive and responsive arts initiatives. What Funding Is Available? Eligible applicants can request up to $1,000 for eligible expenses associated with developing their proposed project or partnership. Additional funding may be available for artist travel within Saskatchewan when the travel is justified as part of the development process. Travel support is specifically intended for Saskatchewan artists. Potential development expenses may include costs directly connected to: - Partnership development. - Community research. - Project planning. - Meetings and consultations. - Development of residency concepts. - Other eligible early-stage project activities. Applicants should ensure that requested costs are directly related to the development purpose of the application. Who Is Eligible? The program is open to qualifying Saskatchewan-based community organizations, professional artists, and arts professionals who meet SK Arts’ eligibility requirements. Eligible Community Organizations Examples of eligible community-based organizations include: - Businesses. - Institutions. - Health care facilities. - Justice facilities. - Municipalities. - First Nations. - Métis locals. - Post-secondary institutions. - Artists’ collectives. - Band Councils. The organization must be based in Saskatchewan and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Eligible Artists and Arts Professionals Professional artists and arts professionals may apply if they: - Meet SK Arts’ definition of a professional artist or arts professional. - Are Saskatchewan residents. - Meet all applicable program requirements. - Are in good standing with SK Arts. Applicants should review the applicable SK Arts definitions before submitting an application. Can Applicants Apply Without an Existing Partnership? Yes. A formal partnership does not necessarily need to be established before applying. The Development stream is specifically designed to support the exploration and early development of relationships and project ideas between artists and community organizations. This makes the program suitable for applicants who are: - Exploring a potential collaboration. - Meeting with a prospective community partner. - Researching community needs. - Developing a possible residency. - Testing whether a proposed arts project is appropriate for a community. - Planning a future partnership or larger project. What Types of Activities Can Be Supported? The strongest development activities are those that clearly demonstrate how the applicant will use the funding to move an idea forward.

Examples may include:

- Community consultations. - Meetings between artists and organizations. - Research into local cultural or community needs. - Development of an arts residency concept. - Exploration of new community-based arts programming. - Partnership-building activities. - Early-stage project design. - Planning for a future collaborative arts initiative. Applicants should clearly explain the connection between the proposed activity, the community need, the artist or arts professional, and the potential future project. Important Eligibility Restrictions Some applicants may be ineligible because of their existing funding relationships or outstanding obligations. Organizations receiving annual or multi-year funding from the following sources are generally not eligible: - SK Arts. - SaskCulture Inc. - Sask Lotteries. - Creative Saskatchewan. - Creative industry associations supported by Creative Saskatchewan. However, exceptions may apply. An organization receiving this type of ongoing funding may still be eligible when the proposed project: - Expands inclusion, diversity, and equity access within existing programs; or - Explores significantly new approaches to presenting. In such cases, the applicant must provide a clear rationale explaining why the proposed activity qualifies for an exception. Other Reasons an Applicant May Be Ineligible Applicants should resolve outstanding administrative issues before app