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General Application Guidelines

Canada Arts Training Fund

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Objectives and expected results for the Canada Arts Training Fund

The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) contributes to the development of Canadians artists and future cultural leaders that are recognized in Canada and abroad.

CATF provides support for the ongoing operations of non-profit arts organizations that specialize in training artists for national and international artistic careers.

Arts training programs are expected to be of the highest calibre in Canada; organizations must be financially and administratively stable and well recognized for training artists that become highly regarded professionally.

Through CATF, Canadian emerging artists have access to the highest levels of arts training in Canada so they are well-prepared for professional careers and to play an important role in the arts world.

CATF promotes the development of professional artists such as actors, artistic directors, choreographers, circus artists, comedians, composers, dancers, deaf and disability artists, Indigenous artists, interdisciplinary artists, musicians, playwrights, performance artists and visual artists.

Priorities:

Funding priorities are arts training from Indigenous and equity groups.

Application deadline

May 15

When an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your arts organization must be:

  • a Canadian not-for-profit arts institution/organization incorporated under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act or under corresponding provincial or territorial legislation.

OR

  • Equivalent Indigenous peoples’ institutions in Canada. Indigenous includes First Nations (status, non-status), Inuit, and Métis.

Federal organizations and federal Crown corporations are not eligible for funding.

All eligible organizations must:

  • exist primarily to provide professional arts training

OR

  • have an integral component within your overall activities that offers professional arts training.

Also, you must demonstrate that the training program:

  • operates independently from a provincial/territorial educational program
  • is governed by a Board of directors
  • administers its own budget

You can maintain partnerships and close collaborations with post-secondary institutions such as universities, colleges, and CEGEP’s that cannot be directly funded by the program. This allows students to graduate, with a recognized academic diploma offered under the supervision of provincial or territorial education systems.

Arts training programs funded by the Canada Arts Training Fund usually have diversified revenues that include financial support from all levels of government.

The professional arts training must:

  • be directed by recognized professionals in the artistic discipline in which training is provided
  • have paid staff according to professional standards
  • have been in existence with administrative support to deliver the arts training for at least three years
  • generate earned and private revenues for at least 30 % of the training cost
  • have a bilingual website for the professional arts training

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, training program and training-related expenses.

The Canada Arts Training Fund is highly competitive. Requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

Funding priorities are arts training from Indigenous and equity groups.

Eligible activities

To be eligible for funding from the Canada Arts Training Fund, your activities must be directly related to professional arts training provided by a renowned program.

You must demonstrate that your training activities:

  • are clearly aligned with CATF program objectives and expected results
  • have generated significant artistic achievement and recognition at the national level
  • are provided in Canada by a human and are mainly in-person in this digital era

For the training of artists, you must demonstrate that the training:

  • reinforces the leadership capacity of artists in their fields
  • supports digital capacity building and transformation to help artists to understand, engage and respond to the cultural and social changes the digital world has produced in the arts sector
  • provides access to participants in both of Canada’s official languages through:
    • bilingual information on training
    • a national, competitive admission process or audition process

Exceptions:

An exception can be made for auditions to a training program in a language-specific art form such as theatre, but the instruction or information for the applicant related to the audition must be available in both of Canada’s official languages.

We can make exceptions for training programs involving students aged 10 to 19 years, where the accompanying schooling is offered in only one language.

Special Initiative Activities

We support special initiatives in arts training activities in collaboration with our recipients to promote Indigenous peoples, equity groups and the Canadian Francophonie in response to a demonstrated need.

Ineligible activities

The following training activities are not eligible:

  • community, local and recreational training
  • non-professional training
  • pre-professional training
  • training provided by generative artificial intelligence (AI)
  • professional training related to industries such as cultural and creative industries
  • training provided by an institution that is not considered a renowned arts training institution

Eligible expenses

We will only fund operating expenses directly related to professional arts training program and only cash expenses are eligible; these may include:

  • artistic and administrative salaries, fees and benefits
  • curriculum development and training delivery
  • student support
  • audition fees/admission fees
  • travel expenses, which must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business
  • marketing and publicity
  • fundraising
  • administrative expenses
  • facility costs such as rent/mortgage
  • maintenance fees
  • office supplies
  • professional development

Capital infrastructure is not an eligible expense.

If you operate other concurrent activities such as a performance company, only the activities and expenses related to the professional arts training program are eligible.

We cannot fund expenses incurred before we receive your application.

If you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, we encourage you to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector or other levels of government.

The total financial assistance received from the Canada Arts Training Fund and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100 % of your total project-related cost.

We can fund up to 70% of eligible expenses per fiscal year.

For Indigenous Organizations and Equity Organizations, Canadian Heritage can fund up to 100% of eligible expenses

You can submit only one application to this program per application deadline.

Applying for more than 12 months

You may request funding for the same activities for a number of fiscal years. You must show that you have the capacity to complete the planned activities on an annual basis. This is demonstrated with realistic results and budget projections as well as sound governance.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding.

A complete application package includes the online Application Form and the following supporting documents:

  • projected budget template: revenues and expenses
  • audited financial statements of the last three years
  • business plan or strategic plan for multi-year funding requests
  • list of the board of directors and their roles
  • full organizational chart for all management and artistic leadership positions involved in supporting the program
  • a biography for each of the leading artistic and teaching staff
  • teaching program, schedule, course syllabus or curriculum
  • procedures for child health and safety, required if you have students/participants under the age of majority in your province or territory
  • table with number, name of the awards and achievements received by the artistic, teaching staff, students and graduates
  • list of former students who have a career in the arts.

Complete your Applicant Profile and your application form at the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal.

Application process

Your application, including all supporting documents, must be submitted electronically through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal.

Your online application must be submitted by 2 p.m. (Eastern time)

Should you be unable to access the online system or apply online for any reason, please contact our support team:

Email
info@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
TTY
1-888-997-3123 (toll-free) (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (EST).

How applications are evaluated

We fund activities that have clear objectives and measurable results. If your application is eligible, your application will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria below by a review committee who will compare it with other applications and prioritize it in relation to the funds available.

When prioritizing eligible applications, we will take into consideration:

  • program funding priorities for arts training from Indigenous and equity groups
  • training of the highest calibre provided by a quality institution with national reach
  • comparable performance of the organizations and the number of training programs supported

Funding levels may fluctuate from one year to another.

Independent experts may evaluate the artistic merit, organization stability and impact.

Site visits or meetings with your organization may be undertaken by the program staff.

Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in a rejection of your new application.

Evaluation criteria

We will evaluate all eligible applications using the following criteria and key elements:

Artistic merit

  • highest level of artistic excellence, in teaching, training, and coaching:
    • teachers/mentors/Elders are qualified and experienced
    • audition or entry process
  • strong artistic vision:
    • artistic discipline is enriched by the training
    • the overall culture of the training promote achievement for all, respect, inclusion and creates belonging in an environment free from harassment, abuse and discrimination
  • relevant curriculum:
    • the training meets the fundamental needs of the artistic profession, allows a wide range of artistic practices and exposes students to a diversity of art forms and points of view
    • helps with the changes the digital world has produced in the arts sector

Organization stability

  • demonstrated organizational capacity from both a financial and governance standpoint
    • promotes employees in leaderships positions or on the board of directors that include members from Indigenous, equity groups such as, but not limited to Black, other racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Deaf/disability
  • multiple sources of operating revenues: private sector and self-generated revenues, government funding such as municipal, provincial, territorial and federal
  • facilities and equipment are appropriate and of excellent quality

Impact

  • provided by renowned arts training institutions
    • recognized as such throughout Canada by those familiar with or working in the artistic discipline
  • proven national significance
    • unique in Canada and national in reach
    • notable recent achievements
    • contributes to and encourages the expression of the diversity of Canadian society
  • demonstrated success of graduates
    • recognized for training artists that become highly regarded professionally
    • considers the achievements and employment status of graduates as an indicator of the calibre of the training provided by an organization

Key elements:

  • Funding priorities
    • are arts training from Indigenous and equity groups.
  • Expert assessment reports
    • CATF program hires independent assessors who are experts in a specific artistic discipline to do assessments of recipients every 3 years
    • independent experts evaluate the artistic merit, organization stability and impact
  • Site visits reports and ongoing collaborations done by CATF program staff
    • conduct site visits of recipients every 3 years
    • meet regularly with recipients to establish positive relationship
    • adjust to recipient needs
  • Reporting results
    • considers activity, financial and statistical reports
  • Filling the gaps in Canada
    • adjusts its level of investment to respond to a demonstrated need
    • takes into account the gap in funding for professional arts training outside areas already well-funded by the CATF program
  • Contributes to and encourages the expression of the diversity of Canadian society
    • take concrete actions towards Canada’s reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
    • take concrete steps to remove barriers and make efforts to engage and support students, employees, executives and board members who are Indigenous, Black, other racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Deaf/disability, and from official language minority communities

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the Program.

Funding decisions

We reserve the right to target our funding to arts training from Indigenous and equity groups. Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

The funding will be disbursed as a contribution.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. If you receive $250,000 or more as a contribution, you are required to submit audited financial statements that include a schedule specific to the arts training offered.

Additional conditions will be included in your funding agreement.

Anti-racism and anti-hate

Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Public Health Guidance

We expect that you will act in compliance with applicable statutes, laws, bylaws, regulations, orders, codes, standards, directives and guidelines governing the activities for which funding is being sought, including those related to public health and safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Official languages requirements

We are committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application and in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Access to information requests

We are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these Acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize us to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

  • to reach a decision;
  • to evaluate the results of the project; and
  • to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic Program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Canada Arts Training Fund

Email
fondsducanpoursecdesarts-canartstrainingfund@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
1-866-811-0055 (toll free)
TTY
1-888-997-3123 (toll free) (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (EST).

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Glossary

2SLGBTQIA+
This acronym represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities. The “2S” at the front recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The “I” for intersex considers sex characteristics beyond sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The “+” is inclusive of people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities, who use additional terminologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Body of theory and practice to implement machines capable of simulating human intelligence and performing tasks or producing output.
Artistic discipline or practice
An identified and recognizable area of artistic activity, known as a discipline which involves its own artistic process, vocabulary, aesthetic, and history. These disciplines are known as theatre, dance, music, literary, visual and media arts, circus and others. Each of these distinct disciplines encompasses genres that further define the specificities of the artistic practice and its appreciation.
Annual statistical report
This report covers the period from April 1 to March 31 of the previous year and requires the recipient to gather and report data on the flow from training to employment of the student, including enrollment rates, graduation rates, and job placements in their field.
Audited financial report
An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period with regard to the Project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization.
Audited financial statements
A complete set of financial statements including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Audited financial statements are completed by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization. The certified accountant performs auditing activities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Business plan
A written document that describes your organization’s current status and plans for two to five years. It identifies future opportunities and includes the financial, operational and marketing strategies to achieve your goals.
Canadian Francophonie
The French-speaking population in Canada. Under the Canada Arts Training Fund program, we promote access for the francophone minority community outside Quebec, that live in other regions, to arts training of the highest calibre in Canada and support special initiative for ongoing training artists of the Canadian Francophonie in collaboration with our recipients.
Cash flow
A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will have only forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.
Creatives and Cultural industries
All businesses that produce goods and services in various sectors of activity that include but are not limited to artistic craft, audiovisual, broadcasting, design, digital media, games, graphic, film, music, photography, publishing, radio, television.
Deaf
Refers to people with hearing loss, or who are hard-of-hearing, oral-deaf, deaf-blind and late-deafened, many of whom identify as culturally Deaf—sharing distinct sign languages, traditions, histories, and values.
Digital era
The present time, when most information is in a digital form and available because of computer technology. Internet, applied technologies, big data, generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Disability
Disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.
Equity organization
  • The organization has its own governance structure.
  • Individuals of one or more equity groups occupy the majority of positions of leadership/decision-making within the organization.This criterion is flexible for Deaf and Disability organizations.
  • The organization’s has a stated mandate to primarily serve people of one or more equity groups.
  • The organization has its own financial presence (a bank account in its own name), financial autonomy and receives funding directly.
  • Staff throughout the organization include individuals of equity communities.
Equity Groups
Under the Canada Arts Training Fund program, groups considered to be equity groups include but are not limited to Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Deaf and Disability communities.
Final report
A final report is submitted at the end of your project, based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.
Final financial report
A final financial report includes, as separate items, the budget as well as all of the revenues realized and expenditures incurred for the given period with regard to the Project being funded.
Financial statements
A complete set of financial statements, including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Financial statements may be audited or unaudited.
Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities are First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Indigenous organization
Indigenous people belong to First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities. An Indigenous organization is:
  • the organization has its own governance structure
  • Indigenous individuals occupy a majority of leadership/decision-making positions within the organization
  • the organization has financial autonomy, a bank account in its own name and receives funding directly
  • the organization’s has a stated mandate to primarily serve Indigenous people
  • staff throughout the organization include Indigenous people.
Indigenous people
First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit and Métis Peoples.
Interim reports

Interim reports are submitted during your project, based on the requirements in the funding agreement.

These reports indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they include a status report on the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports.

Not-for-profit professional arts organization
An incorporated organization operating in one or more artistic discipline(s) with a core mission and primary activity of creation or production of professional artistic works; presentation of professional artistic works; and/or training of professional artists. It is an organization that is registered and operates as a not-for-profit arts entity with a board of directors overseeing its operations. It has internal or external oversight of the organization’s finances and produces annual financial statements.
Official language minority communities
The official language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.
Operating revenues
Operating revenues are revenues generated from an organization's primary business activities. They can be compared from year to year to assess the health of an organization and its operations. The financial health can be demonstrated through having multiple sources of operating revenues such as government funding (municipal, provincial, territorial and federal), private sector and self-generated revenues.
Professional artist
A professional artist is someone who has specialized training in an artistic field but not necessarily in academic institutions, who is recognized as a professional by other professional artists working in the same artistic discipline and who have a history of public presentation.
Racialized communities
Communities of shared heritage who have been historically disadvantaged as a group and may experience discrimination based on colour, culture and/or race.
Reconciliation
A renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Self-identification
A person's own assertion of belonging to a certain group or category of people.
Strategic plan
The strategic plan clearly describes an organization's mandate, its near, mid and long-term goals or objectives, as well as the priority actions necessary to realize these goals and objectives. The strategic planning process analyze the internal and external factors, assess the risks, and determine mitigation plans.

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2025-04-15