Culture Funding and Awards

Application deadline for annual funding: 30 April 2026 at 11:59pm

Multiyear applications are not being accepted this year. The next cycle for multiyear funding will be for the years 2027-2030. For more details, see the Program Guidelines (PDF).

Program objectives

Apply for Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations (OACO) annual funding to support the ongoing operations of an established organization and their programs and services that contribute to the development and sustainability of Nova Scotia’s arts and culture sector. The fund helps:

• support people at all levels of artistic involvement
• make arts and culture more accessible by promoting participation in and reducing barriers to access
• provide relevant professional development and other knowledge sharing and capacity-building opportunities
• develop new and strengthen existing relationships among organizations engaged in cultural activities
• advance the development of Nova Scotia’s cultural diversity within the arts and culture sector
• foster stewardship of cultural resources through effective governance and planning
• encourage development and stability of key programs and services for positive community and sector impact

Funding amount

The maximum available grant for annual funding is $25,000. Funding levels are determined by organization size, scope and performance in assessment.

Eligibility

Applicants are required to:

• be an established Nova Scotia-based registered non-profit society or cooperative in good standing with the Provincial Registrar of Joint Stock Companies or federally registered under the Corporations Act
• have a mandate/primary operational focus centered on Nova Scotia arts and culture, which supports the program objectives as well as:
  • the creation and cultural expressions demonstrated through music, theatre, dance, visual arts, material arts (craft, fibre arts, etc.), literature, film, media arts or other forms of artistic practice
  • the production and/or presentation of artistic performances and events
  • the stewardship of cultural resources through effective governance and planning
  • not receive operating assistance from any other provincial government agency or department, including Arts Nova Scotia
  • have been operating for at least two years before the date of application
  • have successfully completed two project grants available through Culture and Heritage Development Division of CCTH or Arts Nova Scotia within the last five years
  • maintains an active membership or shows a form of community support that includes Nova Scotia residents and persons other than those who serve on the Board of Directors
  • operate programs year-round, offering programming and services without seasonal breaks; except for presenting festivals which may have seasonal programs
  • secure additional sources of revenue, such as corporate contributions, donations, sales, membership fees and public or private funding
  • can provide Board-signed financial statements and statistical information
  • support the work of Nova Scotian professional and emerging arts and cultural professionals and fairly compensate artists, arts and cultural practitioners, technicians, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, in keeping with community and sector standards within the field of practice
  • employs full-/part-time paid administrative staff to manage ongoing arts and culture programs and services. Under certain circumstances this may be a combination of contract staff and volunteers

How To Apply

Consult the program guidelines and application for full details.

Program Documents

• 2026-27 Program Guidelines (PDF)
• 2026-27 Evaluation Criteria (PDF)
• 2026-27 Program Application (PDF)
• 2026-27 Program Comparative Table (Excel)
• In-kind Goods and Services Policy (PDF)

Contact

Application materials should be submitted to CHDapplication@novascotia.ca

Accessibility statement

If you encounter any barriers or need accessibility support during the application process, contact the program officer at least two weeks before the deadline for assistance.