Hihi!! I know you weren’t expecting me this early but I had to make an urgent post because there are lots of opportunities to apply for some funding for your podcast that are coming to a close SOON — especially for Indigenous podcasters, and narrative and arts podcasts!
Heads up, after to talking this out with some fellow podsters, they were pretty skeptical about the reality of funding for podcasts so I’ve reached out to each of these funders to double check how it all works for podcasters. For anyone who replied to my outreach I’ve included a note from them under each of their sections below for more context.
Overall, it seems like podcasts are being overlooked and there’s a bit of creative convincing that may be required in your application BUT for the most part everyone I’ve talked to has been very receptive towards podcasts and wants to help. All that to say, don’t hesitate to annoy some people and ask questions!
Special shout out to National Magazine Awards for their Grants for Creators round up.
Here’s a list of funding opportunities for your Canadian podcast:
Canada Periodical Fund, Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada
The Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides financial support to eligible small and mid-sized printed magazine and digital periodical publishers. Deadline is September 15, 2022.
Canadian Council for the Arts:
Explore and Create supports the research, development, creation and production of work, as well as professional development for artists.
Professional Development for Artists: Apply any time before the start date of your project/activity - cut off date is 19 October 2022.
Research and Creation: Apply any time before the start of your project or the part of your project for which you are seeking funding - cut off date is 5 October 2022.
Concept to Realization - Project Grants: Apply any time before the start of your project or the part of your project for which you are seeking funding - cut off date is 5 October 2022.
Concept to Realization - Composite Grants: Apply by 5 October 2022.
Supporting Artistic Practice contributes to the growing network of resources available to strengthen the arts and inspires sector innovation by supporting collaboration, targeted initiatives and career development opportunities for Canadian arts professionals.
Professional Development for Arts Professionals: Apply any time before the start date of your project/activity - cut off date is 12 October 2022.
Arts Across Canada fosters meaningful relationships and exchanges between artists and the Canadian public.
Translation: Apply by 19 October 2022.
Public Outreach - Project Grants: Apply by 28 September 2022.
Public Outreach - Composite Grants: Apply by 28 September 2022.
Arts Abroad celebrates the creativity, innovation and excellence of Canadian artists by helping to bring Canadian works to the world.
Translation: Apply by 19 October 2022.
NOTE FROM CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS: We do fund podcasts but it really depends on the type of podcast. The first step for anyone wishing to apply for funding with the Canada Council is to first create an account and second, to create an applicant profile. You will need to submit a CV with your profile. If your profile is validated, you can then apply for different grants such as concept to realization, research and creations, travel etc. My advice to create the profile, and once validated, I can put you in touch with program staff to discuss the eligibility of your project. Contact Sonia Poisson for more info: Sonia.Poisson@canadacouncil.ca
Ontario Arts Council
Curatorial Projects: Indigenous and Culturally Diverse funds the work of Ontario-based Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour. Deadline to apply is October 13, 2022, 1 p.m. ET.
Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects supports projects that bring together Ontario-based Indigenous artists or Elders to:
work with individuals or groups of people from a community on collaborative activities that create a meaningful arts experience and transmit artistic skills and knowledge
teach arts workshops in schools during the upcoming school year, engaging children and youth in creative, active, hands-on and in-depth arts experiences
Deadline to apply is October 19, 2022, 1 p.m. ET.
Indigenous Arts Projects program supports Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists to research, develop and create new work and engage with their communities. It also funds opportunities for Indigenous organizations and communities to strengthen their relationships with the arts. Deadline to apply is October 19, 2022, 1 p.m. ET.
NOTE FROM ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL: Indigenous Arts Projects is definitely one program you could highlight – it has funded Waub Rice and Jennifer David’s Storykeepers podcast in the past. Northern Arts Projects, which is specifically for artists and organizations resident/based in northern Ontario, is another program you could highlight. In general, we’d only fund podcasts if they’re explicitly about the arts. Storykeepers is a good example as it’s about Indigenous literature. Our Literary Organizations Projects program will fund online magazines (not blogs), and in theory could support podcasts about the literary arts. Project grant programs in some other disciplines may fund podcasts, but it’s best to reach out to the program officer to discuss whether or not a particular idea is eligible/a good fit. Contact Jack Illingworth for more info: JIllingworth@arts.on.ca
Saskatchewan Arts Board
The Independent Artists program supports Saskatchewan artists to pursue their creative work and careers by funding creative, professional development or research projects, and the production and/or presentation of artistic works. Deadlines - Equipment Purchase Fund: September 19, 2022 // Independent Artists: October 1, 2022.
Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists supports the development and continuation of Indigenous Peoples' art forms. Deadlines - Equipment Purchase Fund: September 19, 2022 // Independent Artists: October 15, 2022.
NOTE: Alex Rogalski is the consultant for the Independent Artists – Media program and said, “we don’t have anything that specifically pertains to podcasts, but do have funding to support audio arts (that aren’t music). I am beginning research to see about updating our guidelines regarding podcasts (since I do get funding inquiries), but the updates won’t likely be included until the Spring 2023 deadline.” Reach out to Alex at arogalski@sk-arts.ca for more info.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
The Professional Project Grants Program (PPGP) is available to Individual Professional Artists, Collaborations of Individual Professional Artists, and Professional Arts Groups. Deadline is September 15, 2022 for projects starting on/after November 15, 2022.
NOTE FROM ARTSNL: Some artists have had digital dissemination of their work in the past but usually outside of podcasting. ArtsNL has had some podcast applications, but it is often linked to a larger arts project. Applicants to any ArtsNL applications would still have to meet the eligibility criteria for the ArtsNL program to which they are applying. Contact Katrina Rice for more info: katrina@artsnl.ca
New Brunswick Arts Board
The Creation Grant program is designed to provide assistance to professional New Brunswick artists for the research, development and execution of original projects in the arts. Deadline is October 1, 2022.
The Equinox program supports Indigenous artists, curators and groups to engage in artistic creation and professional development. Deadline is September 15, 2022.
NOTE FROM ARTSNB: While artsnb does not offer specific funds for podcasting, podcast creators based in NB may be eligible to apply for some of our programming depending on what project they are working on. Our grants are targeted toward individual artists for specific projects, so this does provide some flexibility depending on the type of podcast or aspect of it an artist is working on. Since most of our grants are designed to support the creation of new artistic work rather than journalistic, commentary, or academic work, this may limit the kind of podcasts that can apply but we are always happy to help artists find which of our grants will fit their projects. Contact Rebecca Salazar for more info: rebecca@artsnb.ca
One last thing from Joe:
Let me know if you know of any more opportunities for Canadian podcasts to get funded!
Kattie @podkatt