CFAs: Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 29-Jan-2027

The Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials Grant Program supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists and culture carriers with funding to purchase materials and supplies for visual arts, crafts, and traditional Indigenous art forms. Grants of $500 or $1,000 can also support workshop materials, transportation and shipping of supplies, and individual travel to gather artistic materials.

About the Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials Grant Program

The Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials Grant Program provides financial support to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists and culture carriers living in Ontario. The programme recognizes the importance of Indigenous-led artistic expression and the role of visual arts, crafts, and traditional or customary Indigenous art forms in preserving and sharing cultural knowledge. Funding helps artists obtain the materials, supplies, and tools needed to create artwork and gather materials for their artistic practices. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants can apply for one of two grant amounts: - $500 - $1,000 The amount awarded may be lower than the amount requested because funding depends on demand and available funds. Only one grant per applicant is permitted during each programme year. A grant received through this programme during the current programme year counts toward the Ontario Arts Council’s three-grant limit for 2026. What Can the Grant Support? The grant can be used to purchase materials and supplies required for visual arts, crafts, and traditional Indigenous art forms. Eligible materials and supplies may include: - Wood. - Fabric. - Thread. - Stone. - Leather hides. - Sinew. - Beads. - Needles. - Photographic printing materials. - Inks. - Metals. - Paint. - Canvas. - Paper. - Pencils. - Small tools used to make artwork or gather materials. The funding is intended to address practical material costs associated with an artist’s creative practice. Workshop Materials and Tools Funding can also cover materials and tools required to run or participate in workshops. This allows eligible artists and culture carriers to use the grant for supplies connected with artistic learning, teaching, and community-based workshop activities. Transportation and Shipping Costs The grant can be used to cover the cost of transporting or shipping materials and supplies. This support can help artists obtain necessary materials when they need to be transported from another location. Travel to Gather Materials Individual travel costs associated with gathering artistic materials are also eligible. This provision recognizes that some Indigenous artistic practices may require artists to travel to collect or obtain specific materials used in their work. Who Can Apply? The programme is intended specifically for Indigenous artists and culture carriers living in Ontario.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. - Be residents of Ontario. - Be artists or culture carriers. - State their Indigenous nation and community. - Demonstrate their lived experience as part of the application process. Who Is Not Eligible? The programme is specifically designed for individual Indigenous artists and culture carriers. The following applicants are not eligible: - Non-Indigenous applicants. - Ad hoc groups. - Collectives. - Organizations. Applicants must apply based on their own eligibility as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis artists or culture carriers. Indigenous Nation and Community Applicants are required to state their Indigenous nation and community as part of the application process. They must also demonstrate their lived experience. These requirements help ensure that the programme supports Indigenous-led artistic practices and cultural expression. What Artistic Practices Are Supported? The programme supports visual arts, crafts, and traditional or customary Indigenous art forms. It recognizes artistic practices as an important way of expressing Indigenous knowledge, culture, identity, and lived experience. Funding is therefore directed toward the practical materials and supplies needed to develop and continue these artistic practices. Application Process Applications must be submitted online through Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system. Applicants must provide the required information and supporting materials through the system.

The application includes:

- Answers to the application questions. - Name of the recommender. - Up to eight images or video documentation of the applicant’s work. - Optional artist résumé. Applicants should ensure that all required information and documentation is included before submitting the application. Portfolio Requirements Applicants can submit up to eight images or video documentation of their work. The submitted documentation should demonstrate the applicant’s artistic practice and provide reviewers with an understanding of their recent work. An artist résumé may also be included, but it is optional. Recommender Information Applicants must provide the name of their recommender as part of the application. This information should be included along with the other required application details in Nova. Application Language and Online Submission Applications are submitted through Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system. Applicants should complete the application questions and upload the required work documentation through the online system. Grant Completion Period Activities supported by the grant must be completed within two years after applicants receive their results. Applicants should therefore plan their proposed purchases, workshops, material gathering, or other supported activities within this two-year period. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate their Indigenous identity, artistic practice, and intended use of the grant.

A strong application should:

- Clearly identify the applicant’s Indigenous natio