Overview

The Arts Business Support Fund provides up to $10,000 for the start-up or growth of arts-related business activities in the NWT. This funding is for professional artists, individual entrepreneurs or small businesses that provide (or want to provide) arts-related services or products.

Supported activities include:

• Arts business start-up costs (e.g., business license and registration fees)
• Scaling up services for established artists
• Equipment and tool purchases (e.g., sewing machines, carving tools, production equipment, computers/software for digital arts, merchandising/display equipment)
• First-run production to turn original artwork into inventory for sale (e.g., books, art cards, calendars, prints, music recordings) -- max 250 units per product
• Marketing and promotion (e.g., e-commerce website development, design and printing of materials, promotional videos, agency costs)

Available Funding

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 per project.

Funding is assessed on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual budget is exhausted.

Minimum equity contributions of 20% are required from the applicant for this program.

This funding does not cover subsequent commercial print runs, raw materials, artwork purchased for resale, living or business operating expenses (rent, mortgage, wages, food, utilities), general office expenses, GST/HST/PST on eligible activities, or assets previously acquired by the applicant or purchased with GNWT or Government of Canada assistance.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from April 1 to March 31 each year, until the annual budget is exhausted. Apply early to ensure enough time for review and processing of your application.

Eligibility

• Individuals who have been a resident of the NWT for at least 6 months prior to applying and are living in the NWT at the time of application
• Sole proprietors and small businesses participating in or supporting the arts sector and based in the NWT
• You can only apply for one project at a time -- a funded project must be completed and reported before you can apply again

How to Apply

It is strongly recommended that you contact your regional ITI office to discuss your project before applying.

1. Before you apply, review the application guidelines.
2. Download and complete the Arts Business Support Fund application form.
3. Prepare your supporting documents:
   1. Professional and/or artistic resume.
   2. Samples of work (1-2 sound/video clips of 5 minutes or less, 1-2 writing samples of 5 pages or less, or 3-4 images).
   3. Copies of quotes (NWT quotes encouraged).
   4. Proof of NWT residency (e.g., utility bill, letter from band).
4. Submit your completed application and supporting documents to your regional ITI office.

Applications must be approved before beginning the activity. Costs incurred before approval will not be covered.

This program has a reporting requirement. After your project, submit your actual costs and revenues, receipts, and the reporting survey to your regional business development officer.