Culture Funding and Awards
Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations
2025 program deadline: 11:59 pm on April 15th, 2025
Purpose
The objective of the Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations Program is to support the ongoing operations of established organizations and the programs and services that contribute to the development and sustainability Nova Scotia’s arts and culture communities. The types of organizations that receive assistance include those that produce cultural product, own or manage cultural facilities, provide service to the cultural sector or produce a cultural festival or event. These organizations are fundamental to the vitality of cultural life in Nova Scotia either as primary producers, enablers or developers of cultural activity.
Specifically, the program provides investment in the core operational and programmatic costs of organizations whose mandate supports:
- creation and expression in the arts;
- production and/or presentation of artistic performances and events;
- opportunities for people to participate in and build community life through access to cultural experiences;
- activities that contribute to the long-term development of the cultural sector; and
- enhanced stability for arts and cultural organizations
Support is available to qualifying applicants via two streams:
- Core Annual Funding
- Core Multiyear Funding (NOTE: intake for this stream will re-open in 2027-28; current recipients will be sent 2025-26 interim reporting requirements directly)
Eligibility
Organizations applying to this program must demonstrate that they meet the following general criteria.
*Please note there are additional eligibility criteria specific to each of the two program streams (refer to program guidelines).
- is a registered not-for-profit society or not-for-profit cooperative in good standing with the Provincial Registrar of Joint Stock Companies or federally registered under the Corporations Act as a not-for-profit society or cooperative based and operating in Nova Scotia
- has a mandate/primary operational focus that is centred on Nova Scotia arts and culture and supports the program Purpose as stated above
- does not receive operating assistance from any other provincial government agency or department, including Arts Nova Scotia
- employs full-/part-time paid administrative staff (or equivalent) to manage on-going arts and culture programs and services
- 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
- operates programs year-round, except for presenting festivals which may have seasonal programs
- secures additional sources of revenue, such as corporate contributions, donations, sales, and membership fees, and must pursue other sources of public or private funding
- possesses the capacity to compile annual financial and statistical information
- supports 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
Program Outcomes
The program provides support to professional arts and cultural organizations to achieve outcomes that:
- support people at all levels of artistic involvement at an appropriate level of artistic quality
- promote participation in and access to the arts for people of differing ages and abilities
- 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
Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage’s Commitment to EDIA
- Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage supports our communities to thrive by promoting active living, tourism, and Nova Scotia’s diverse culture, heritage, and languages. We pride ourselves in helping to grow communities and organizations by providing programs and services that support these areas.
- We are committed to ensuring that our programs and services are free of discrimination and barriers, and value equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). By applying this lens, and ensuring it is a core value in our programs and decision-making processes, we are taking steps to address the long-standing systemic barriers that impact many communities in our province.
- Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across Nova Scotia, and we support partners who share in this commitment
How To Apply
Please consult the program guidelines to determine your eligibility.
Program Documents
2025-26 Operating Assistance to Culture Organizations Program Guidelines (PDF)
2025-26 Operating Assistance to Culture Organizations Program – Comparative Table (Excel)
In-kind Goods and Services Policy (PDF)
Contact
Application materials should be submitted to CHDapplication@novascotia.ca
