Opportunities for Arts Organizations
Grants to Professional Arts Organizations
The Grants to Professional Arts Organizations Program supports the operating and artistic capacity of Halifax-based professional arts organizations to develop and present artistic work as well as strengthen their capacity. We have two streams of funding, Operating Assistance, and Project Assistance.
This program is governed by Administrative Order 2014-007 ADM Respecting Grants to Professional Arts Organizations.
Intake for the 2025-2026 funding year is now open.
Program Contact:
Lindsay Cory (she/her)
Community Developer – Public Art, Culture & Community
902-456-8384
Lindsay.Cory@halifax.ca
- 2025-2026 Operating Assistance: Deadline: March 31, 2025, 5pm
This stream supports the general and ongoing operational capacity of professional arts organizations in the Municipality. Organizations are now able to apply for either annual or multi-year Operating Assistance.
Operating Assistance Grant Documents:
- 2025-2026 Project Assistance: Deadline: March 31, 2025, 5pm
This program stream supports professional arts activities on a project-specific basis. Funding is provided annually for this program.
Project Assistance Grant Documents:
- Final Reporting Forms
Successful grant recipients must complete a final report describing the impact of the funding received through this program. A Final Report Form is available below but applicants can now opt for a final report interview. Requests for this format should be sent directly to the Program Contact and should be requested at least 2 weeks before the deadline. Final report requirements and deadline details are included in the grant agreement which is sent with the confirmation of the award.
Operating Funding - Final Reporting Documents:
- Operating Assistance Interim Report - Form (for current multi-year Operating Clients 2024-2026)
- Operating Assistance Final Report - Form
Project Funding - Final Reporting Documents:
Past Grant Recipients
Opportunities for Artists
Call for new Professional and Public Art Jurors
Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking new peer evaluators of the Municipality’s Grants to Professional Arts Organizations funding program and Public Art selection juries.
Call for Jurors is currently closed. The roster will reopen for applications in early 2026.
Eligible applicants will be added to a standing roster of prospective jurors. Members will be selected from this roster annually and invited to perform assessment of applications to the Grant Program and Public Art selection juries. This is a paid opportunity. Individuals selected for a public art jury are provided with a fee in accordance with CARFAC’s Professional Jury Rate.
The implementation of the peer jury process reflects a commitment to efficacy, transparency, and accountability. This jury roster must be composed of artists and other members of the arts community who bring open-mindedness and respect for the views of others, represent a diversity of specializations, artistic practices, and cultural backgrounds, offer fair and objective analysis, based on assessment criteria without bias or prejudice, and are able and willing to work collaboratively.
| Jury Type | Description | Ideal Jurors |
|---|---|---|
| Jury Type | Description | Ideal Jurors |
| Public Art Juries | Public art juries are arms-length committees that advise and recommend artist proposals for commission, based on their informed and independent consideration of scoring criteria and other relevant factors. Juries help maintain transparency, integrity, and professionalism in the selection of artworks. | Arts and design professionals (such as artists, curators, arts and culture workers, architects, and landscape architects), specific topic experts, individuals with lived experience, and local representation. |
| Professional Art Organizations Funding Juries | Halifax Regional Municipality uses a peer review process to evaluate applications to its granting programs. Those who serve as peer jurors are crucial in deciding who is awarded grants; they provide us with independent and informed opinions and encourage accountability within the arts community. | Artists, curators, arts and culture workers not currently applying to the funding program. |
- Eligibility
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The roster of jurors shall be comprised of all those individuals who respond to the call and who:
Meet the definition of “peer” as set out in this Administrative Order; and Reside in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Arts and design professionals, knowledgeable in the field of public art and/or contemporary art (i.e. artists, architects, curators, etc.); Community members with knowledge and insight into the social and cultural climate of Kjipuktuk/Halifax, and local awareness of the community (i.e. local volunteers, board advisors, grassroots or non-profit community organizers, youth group members etc.); Subject matter experts (i.e. accessibility, Indigenous Knowledge, environmental advocacy, historical knowledge, etc.); and Individuals with lived experience (i.e. direct involvement in an issue or informal training, etc.) and individuals from equity-deserving groups, recognizing gender, race, sexual orientation, status, age and abilities.
We are also looking for jury members with a range of expertise and experience, including: - How to apply - Due March 31, 2024
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To apply to be on the Peer Jury Roster you must:
- Fill out an application form
- Send in a CV outlining your relevant professional, academic, community, and associated experience.
- If not included in your application form, please send in a statement of interest in participating in the jury process.
After filling out the application, email artgrants@halifax.ca a copy of your CV and a brief statement of interest with ‘PEER JUROR APPLICATION’ in the subject line.
For more information or help with your application, contact Lindsay Cory, Community Developer – Public Art via email at Lindsay.cory@halifax.ca or phone at 902-456-8384.
Public Art Opportunities
You can see all information on new calls and ongoing projects on our Public Art Calls page. For more information about recently completed public art projects click here.