Overview

The Arts Operating Fund provides financial and developmental support to arts organizations that operate year-round in the NWT. Eligible applicants can receive between $20,000 and $200,000 per year.

This funding supports:

• Paid staff such as arts administrators, curators, technicians and volunteer coordinators
• Operations of arts infrastructure like artist-run centres, public galleries and performing arts venues
• Programming such as exhibitions, workshops, residencies, screenings, performances and artist talks
• Administration costs associated with delivering these activities
• Space costs for publicly accessible arts activities (short-term rental, lease, or servicing a mortgage for program space)

Available Funding

Eligible organizations can receive between $20,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on available funding and demand. Meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding -- funding levels may be adjusted to manage overall budget availability.

Deadline

The intake deadline for this program is: April 24.

Eligibility

Applicants must be NWT-based non-profit organizations that are:

• Registered and in good standing under the NWT Societies Act.
• Headquartered with primary operations in the NWT
• Have at least one part-time or full-time paid staff position

Preference is given to organizations that:

• Have a mandate to support and develop the arts and creative sector
• Have clearly defined operating objectives to enhance or support the arts
• Have at least two years of proven success completing and reporting on arts projects (e.g., through Medium or Large Arts Project funding)
• Have or are planning to have paid staff, physical space and other fixed costs to support their membership and engage with the public
• Are receiving or actively seeking additional funding from other sources (e.g., earned revenue, fundraising, federal programs)
• Have demonstrated community support
• Have an annual budget of $20,000 or greater

How to Apply

1. Before you apply, review the application guidelines.
2. Download and complete the Arts Operating Fund application form using the templates provided.
3. Prepare your required supporting documents: three signed letters of support from stakeholders, proof of $1 million liability insurance, proof of WSCC compliance (if you have employees), last audited financial statements, organization background including Board of Directors list, current operating budget, last annual report, and any additional relevant documents (e.g., recent strategic plan).
4. Submit your completed application and supporting documents before the deadline.

Submit by:

• Online: Submit using Filedrop - before submitting, please read how to submit files using a secure file transfer email
• In person or virtual by appointment.
• Email: ArtsFunding@gov.nt.ca
• Mail: Economic Diversification, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Government of the Northwest Territories, P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
• Fax: (867) 873-0101

This program has a reporting requirement. Interim reporting is due November 15 and final reporting is due May 31. Interim reporting must be completed before you can apply for next year's funding.