Program Overview

The City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF), established in 2007, provides grants to local arts organizations and projects to foster creativity at all levels and enrich how Kingston residents experience and engage with the arts. In 2021, funding for the CKAF annual Operating and Project grant streams was approved by Kingston City Council, as well as additional one-time COVID-19 pandemic relief funding to support artists and arts organizations. The additional funding, which totals $200,000 will support two new funding programs: Resiliency grants and Adapt grants. Learn more on the City of Kingston Arts Fund page.

 

City of Kingston Arts Fund: Adapt 

Adapt grants support projects that address pandemic-related challenges through new ways of working. These projects include creating, presenting, or adapting artistic work, building partnerships, and creating innovative solutions for community needs. The total funding available in this program is $100,000. Individuals, collectives, ad-hoc groups, and non-profit arts organizations are eligible to apply. Applications will be evaluated and grants will be awarded by a jury of artists and arts professionals.

Please note that applications are now closed.

 

Adjudication  

Eligible applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of professional artists and arts professionals, who will determine which applicants receive funding and the amount of each grant. The KAC Board of Directors will review the jury’s recommendations to ensure compliance with program objectives and evaluation criteria. Grants will be a minimum of $4,000 and a maximum of $10,000. There is $100,000 available in this program. 

 

Objectives 

Adapt Grants support projects that address pandemic-related challenges through new ways of working. These projects include creating, presenting, or adapting artistic work, building partnerships, and creating innovative solutions for community needs. Adapt Grants are a one-time funding program supported by an investment by Kingston City Council in response to the impact of the pandemic on the arts. The objectives of CKAF are to nurture the capacity of the arts, artists and the arts sector in Kingston while fostering creativity, encouraging social cohesion, enhancing quality of life and stimulating economic development through direct investment.

Applicants to the CKAF program must meet the following objectives:

I. Engage Kingston artists with professional opportunities and industry-standard compensation;
II. Nurture creativity and arts engagement for all Kingston residents;
III. Address current needs in the Kingston community;
IV. Strengthen and expand access to the arts;
V. Create inclusive activities and equity practices that reflect the diversity of artists, arts communities and audiences in Kingston;
VI. Foster collaboration between emerging and established artists and arts organizations across disciplines;
VII. Build capacity in the arts and culture sector through professional development, mentorship and investment in sustainable, relevant, high-quality artistic work; and
VIII. Cultivate community partnerships across private and public sectors.

 

Eligible Applicants 

In order to be eligible to apply for an Adapt Grant, applicants must be located in the City of Kingston and be one of the following:

• A professional artist or arts professional.
• An incorporated non-profit arts organization; or
• An unincorporated artist collective or ad-hoc group.

Review the complete eligibility requirements in the Adapt Guidelines before applying. 

A professional artist or arts professional (curator, programmer) has developed skills through training and/or practice and: is recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic traditions; has a history of public presentation or publications; seeks payment for their work; and actively practices their art. 

Artist collectives and ad-hoc groups are a group of three or more artists who have come together for the purposes of artistic creation and presentation in a collective artistic endeavour. Note that a collective has ongoing activities and will continue working together, while ad-hoc groups are formed for the purpose of a one-time project. In order to be eligible for this grant, collectives and ad-hoc groups must have a bank account in the name of the group.

Non-profit arts organizations are either non-profit organizations or registered charities with a mission or mandate focused primarily on artistic creation and presentation. These organizations must be incorporated in Ontario or federally, have a head office in Kingston, and be governed by a volunteer board of directors or an advisory board.

 

Eligible Expenses 

Eligible expenses include: 

• artist fees for the creation of new work;
• artistic production, presentation, and dissemination costs for the creation and distribution of new work; 
• project administration costs (not exceeding 20% of total budget);
• marketing, promotion, audience development, and community outreach;
• venue, studio, or workspace rental;
• costs related to accessibility for Deaf artists and audiences and/or artists and audiences with disabilities; and
• minor equipment or software to upgrade the technology, workspaces, or health and safety items required to carry out the proposed project.

 

Adjudication  

Eligible applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of professional artists and arts professionals, who will determine which applicants receive funding and the amount of each grant. The KAC Board of Directors will review the jury’s recommendations to ensure compliance with program objectives and evaluation criteria. Grants will be a minimum of $4,000 and a maximum of $10,000. There is $100,000 available in this program. 

 

Deadline and Submission 

Please note that applications are now closed.

Applicants submit one (1) digital copy of their application to grants@artskingston.ca. To complete the application, you will need Adobe Reader and Microsoft Excel. Complete instructions can be found on the first two pages of the application. 

Applicants are encouraged to book a meeting with Felix Lee, Grants Coordinator. You can reach Felix at grants@artskingston.ca. Applicants only should send one (1) email with the complete application attached. Do not submit hard copies or paper copies of your application. If you require accommodations in the application process, please contact grants@artskingston.ca in advance of the deadline.

CKAF Adapt Guidelines
CKAF Adapt Application Form
CKAF Adapt Budget Form 

 

Info Session