FINANCING

The ‘public sector’ designates government funding agencies, which require that you write grant applications.  Most artists who establish themselves professionally in Quebec rely on the public sector for the majority of their funding.

Arts Councils

Artists in Montreal can apply for funding from three separate bodies: the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM), the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), and the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA). Each of these funding bodies operates a number of different grant programs, each with their own mandate and criteria.  Generally speaking the following grant categories may be of interest to you:

1. Research and Creation grants fund rehearsal processes, and generally do not require you to have a confirmed presentation date
2. Production Grants fund rehearsals and production costs related to a specific presentation, which must be confirmed
3. Professional Development grants fund enrichment and educational experiences like travelling abroad to take a workshop, or working with a mentor to develop your professional skills.
4. Travel and touring grants provide financial support to allow you to present work or attend professional events in other parts of Canada or Abroad.
5. Strategic Funds are special, often punctual programs designed to address particular issues identified by a council as important and timely. It is worth looking at the Strategic Funds to see if there is anything that applies to your unique situation (for example, funding for work with digital technologies).

You can find detailed information by visiting the arts councils’ websites, however the information provided is often overwhelming and confusing at first. In order to help you navigate this system, many service organizations provide advisory consultations and grant-writing workshops. You can, and should, also call the grant agent responsible for the program you are applying to discuss your project and verify its eligibility.

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare, plan and write your grant. You may need to do several drafts. If you can get your hands on one, read over a successful grant application, and make sure someone proofreads yours before you finalize and send it off. Grant process is extremely competitive. Highlight what makes your proposition or approach different, be concise and precise. Don't feel discouraged if you don't get the first ones, they will still constitute your history at the funders, which will be useful for the next application. Always try to get feedback from jury if you receive a negative answer and take their comments seriously. Grantwriting is difficult for most people, and you will need to hone your skills over time.

Emploi Québéc

If you are age 29 or younger, try applying for an employment grant from the program Jeunes Volontaires. These grants are easier to get than arts council grants and can provide a helpful first experience with the bookkeeping and paper work required when you receive public sector funding.

LOJIQ

Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec offers travel funding to artists 35 and under. This funding will not cover the full amount of your trip, but the process is not as competitive as the Art Councils.

Funding for First Nations artists, visible minorities and new arrivals

Many granting bodies offer special programs or considerations for First Nations artists, visible minorities and new arrivals (CALQ, Vivacité program), and official language minorities (anglophones in Quebec). If you identify as a member of one of these groups, keep an eye out for special funding opportunities.

Tips: Do not limite yourself to one source of fundings. It will make your application stronger to actually show that you can get multiple source of fundings, and so ask for a lower amount.