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Frequently Asked Questions

Canada Council Support for Artists Working in Official Language Minority Communities

Who is eligible?
How do I apply?
What types of grant applications will be considered?
How is it decided who receives this funding?
How will this targeted funding be allocated?
What are the objectives of this targeted funding?
Background/History
How can I get more information?

Note: In this document, the term “artists” refers to individual Canadian artists working in official language minority communities, and “arts organizations” refers to Canadian arts organizations working in official language minority communities.

Who is eligible?

  • Professional Anglophone artists and arts organizations that have a Quebec address (generally, as indicated on the application form) and that choose English as their preferred language of communication with the Canada Council. In the case of organizations, the activities they propose must benefit professional Anglophone artists working in an official language minority situation.
  • Professional Francophone artists and arts organizations that have an address outside of Quebec (generally, as indicated on the application form) and that choose French as their preferred language of communication with the Canada Council. In the case of organizations, the activities they propose must benefit professional Francophone artists working in an official language minority situation.

How do I apply?

  • You do not apply for this funding. You may be considered for it when you apply through the Canada Council’s regular programs, under existing deadlines, and are assessed under the regular peer assessment process. You don’t need to provide any additional information in order to be considered for these targeted funds.
  • In exceptional cases, where the Canada Council’s existing programs do not support the activities necessary for the development of the official language minority arts communities, the Canada Council will consider special measures.

What types of grant applications are eligible for this targeted funding?

  • Only grants of limited duration are eligible. This includes grants to individuals (including travel grants) and project grants to arts organizations (including touring grants). Applications for ongoing annual or multi-year operating support will not be considered for this targeted funding.

How will my grant application be considered for this targeted funding?

Your grant application will be evaluated by a peer assessment committee according to the regular assessment criteria of Canada Council programs, taking into account, where appropriate, the specific context in which minority-language artists and arts organizations operate.

  • If your application is successful, you will receive funds allotted by the Canada Council’s regular program budget. If appropriate, you will be considered for a supplement to these funds, through the targeted funding. In this case, it would increase the grant you’re awarded (up to the maximum eligible for the program, or up to the amount requested by the applicant).
  • If your application is highly recommended, but program funds are not available due to lack of funds, you may be considered for targeted funding to an appropriate grant amount.

How will this targeted funding be allocated?

  • The funding will be allocated through existing Canada Council programs. Grants will be paid under regular program guidelines and timelines. Successful artists and arts organizations will receive a separate letter indicating that their project was supported with targeted funding.

What are the objectives of this targeted funding?

  • to counter isolation and assist in the professional development of individual artists working in official language minority communities
  • to assist in the development of arts organizations working in official language minority communities
  • to assist in the dissemination of the work of artists and arts organizations working in official language minority communities, and
  • to better inform and advise artists and arts organizations working in official language minority communities about Canada Council programs.

This targeted funding is expected to meet these objectives by increasing

  • the number of requests from artists and arts organizations from official language minority communities that the Canada Council’s programs can support
  • the amount of funding allotted to these requests

Background/History

In 2001, after consultation with Francophone artists and arts organizations represented through the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française, the Canada Council for the Arts signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Department of Canadian Heritage concerning the development of the arts in official language minority communities. This agreement was named the Partenariat interministériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO). The agreement was extended through to 2004-05, renewed from 2005-06 to 2007-08 and extended for a final year for 2008-09.
In 2002, after consultation with Anglophone artists and arts organizations represented through the Quebec Community Groups Network, the Canada Council for the Arts signed a second three-year memorandum of understanding with the Department of Canadian Heritage concerning the development of the arts in official language minority communities in Quebec. This agreement was named the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official language Communities (IPOLC). The agreement was renewed for another three-year period, from 2005-06 to 2007-08, and extended for a final year for 2008-09.
These agreements secured additional funding for the Canada Council, specifically for official language minority artists and arts organizations. These funds were to be delivered through the Canada Council’s regular programs. Both the IPOLC and PICLO agreements ended on 31 March 2009. The Canada Council then decided to continue this investment in the official language minority arts community, and has targeted funding over the course of its Action Plan 2008-11 to continue to deliver this financial support with its own resources, underlining that this initiative is consistent with its values.

How can I get more information?

For details specific to your application, please contact one of the officers below: