CKAF PROJECT GRANTS
CKAF 2025 Project Grants — Applications Now Open!
The Kingston Arts Council (KAC) is now accepting applications for City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF) 2025 Project Grants. This funding program is administered annually by the KAC on behalf of the City of Kingston, and strives to enrich how Kingston residents experience and engage with the arts.
This year, we're launching a streamlined application process through which individuals, collectives, and organizations can request grants of up to $10,000 to support projects which demonstrate engagement with local artists, benefit the broader Kingston community, and support the CKAF program objectives.
The CKAF underwent a multi-phase review process between January 2024 – March 2025, led by the City of Kingston and conducted by Saffy Inc., with support from the Kingston Arts Council. A new CKAF Framework that includes four grant streams will be launched in 2026 in alignment with recommendations outlined in the CKAF Review Report. The 2025 Project Grant program is aligned with the previous CKAF structure, but the application process has been streamlined to better support applicants during this transitional period.
Complete application requirements and information about the program including eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines.
CKAF Objectives:
I. Engage Kingston artists with professional opportunities and industry-standard compensation;
II. Nurture creativity and arts engagement for 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.
Application Deadline
CKAF 2025 Project Grant applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, 31 July 2025
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines and be located in the City of Kingston. There are three types of eligible applicants: Individuals, Collectives, and Organizations. Each applicant type has specific eligibility criteria listed in the Grant Guidelines.
An individual, collective, or organization may apply for only one Project Grant each year. Applicants must be in good standing with the municipality both generally and with regards to past CKAF, City of Kingston Heritage Fund (CKHF) and/or Community Investment Fund projects.
All proposed projects must have a presentation or community engagement component. Projects with the sole purpose of creating new artistic work are not eligible for CKAF 2025 Project Grants.
The CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines contain additional information eligibility criteria as well as information regarding ineligible activities, eligible expenses, and ineligible expenses.
Application + Submission Process
Applicants must review the CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines in full before applying. All details regarding the application process are contained within the Guidelines.
Applications must be submitted via email to grants@artskingston.ca. Applicants must submit their complete application in one (1) email with all required documents attached. If the attachments are too large, they should be sent as a ZIP folder.
Required Documents
A complete application must include the following:
- Completed and signed CKAF 2025 Project Grant Application Form;
- Completed CKAF 2025 Project Grant Budget Form;
- Five (5) pieces of Supplementary Material; and
- Partnership Letters (if applicable).
Files must be labelled as follows:
- 2025_ApplicantName_Application
- 2025_ApplicantName_Budget
- 2025_ApplicantName_PartnershipLetter#
- 2025_ApplicantName_Supplementary#
- ex. 2025_JaneDoe_Supplementary1
Applications are considered incomplete and are ineligible for review by the jury if they are missing any of the required documents (listed below) or signatures. Additional documents and images will not be accepted.
Application forms are in PDF-fillable format and must be filled out using Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded for free at: https://get.adobe.com/reader. The Budget Form must be filled out using Microsoft Excel and submitted as an Excel document (.xlsx). Application and Budget Forms must not be altered in any way.
Grant Guidelines + Application Forms
To apply, you will need the following documents:
- CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines
- CKAF Project Grant Application Form— please download the appropriate application form based on your applicant type:
- CKAF 2025 Project Grant Budget Form
Support
The Kingston Arts Council offers individualized support in navigating the granting process. Individuals, collectives, and organizations seeking to apply for a CKAF 2025 Project Grant are invited to contact KAC staff with inquiries or book a consultation meeting. Meetings can be facilitated in person at the KAC office, virtually via Zoom, or over the phone. We welcome inquiries at any stage in your planning process, whether you are formulating your project concern or have a full-fledged proposal, we're here to help! Reach out to KAC staff today to schedule a meeting, or submit an inquiry via phone or email if you don't require a meeting.
To submit an inquiry or request a meeting, please contact KAC staff at grants@artskingston.ca or 613-546-2787.
KAC staff will endeavour to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner. Please note that staff are only available during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 10AM–5PM), and that availability becomes limited closer to the application deadline.
Information Session
Thursday, 10 July 2025, 10–11 AM
Free | Zoom | ASL Interpretation
The KAC is hosting a CKAF Project Grants Information Session on Thursday, 10 July from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM via Zoom. The Information Session will include a detailed review of the CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines, Application Forms, and Assessment Criteria, as well as a Q&A with KAC staff. The session will be recorded and shared via the KAC website for applicants who are unable to attend. ASL interpretation will be provided.
Click here to register: https://CKAF-Info-Session.eventbrite.ca
Accessibility + Accommodations
The KAC is committed to equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all eligible applicants and encourage anyone with accessibility needs to contact the KAC as early in the application process as possible by email at grants@artskingston.ca.
Help Sheets
Grant Objectives + Goal Setting
Access, Diversity and Inclusion
Adjudication
Applications to CKAF Project Grants are evaluated in three areas: Artistic Contribution, Community Benefit, and Administrative Viability. Applications are reviewed by a jury of artists and arts professionals. Jurors are selected for their knowledge of the arts, high standing in the arts community, and awareness of the local and broader arts environment; jurors are reflective of the gender, demographic, and cultural diversity of Kingston. If you would like to be considered for the CKAF 2025 Project Grants Jury, please contact grants@arstkingston.ca
Information for CKAF 2023 + 2024 Recipients
Acknowledgement Requirements
As outlined in the Terms of Reference for CKAF Project Grants, all grant recipients are required to acknowledge the support of CKAF by using both the City of Kingston and the Kingston Arts Council logos in advertising, programs, events and brochures relating to the activities for which funds are granted. If the recipient is unable to include these logos in a design (as when, on small flyer or advertisement, space does not permit them to be legibly included), the recipient must acknowledge the support of CKAF by specifying it in the text of the item.
For guidelines regarding the use of the City of Kingston logo, please refer to their webpage here.
If you require different formats or clarification regarding the acknowledgement requirements, please contact the KAC at grants@artskingston.ca
CITY OF KINGSTON LOGOS
City of Kingston (black)
City of Kingston (white)
City of Kingston (blue)
KINGSTON ARTS COUNCIL LOGOS
Kingston Arts Council - Horizontal (black)
Kingston Arts Council - Horizontal (white)
Kingston Arts Council - Horizontal (colour)
Kingston Arts Council - Vertical (black)
Kingston Arts Council - Vertical (white)
Kingston Arts Council - Vertical (colour)
Insurance
All Project Grant recipients must provide proof of $5 million liability insurance before KAC can release CKAF funds. A quote can also be accepted if the project start date is too far away to secure insurance. Grant recipients may use grant funds to cover the cost of insurance. Insurance must be secured and paid for before project activities begin. The KAC can help grant recipients connect with a suitable insurer.
Reporting Requirements
CKAF Project Grant recipients are required to submit an Interim Report and a Final Report.
Interim Report: The 2024 Project Grant Interim Report deadline is 15 January 2025. All Project Grant recipients must complete an Interim Report, with the exception of projects completed before 31 December 2024.
2024 CKAF Project Grant Interim Report Form
Final Report: All 2024 Project Grant recipients must submit a Final Report no more than 60 days after the project completion and no later than 31 December 2025.
Final Report Forms
2024 CKAF Project Grant Final Report Form
2024 CKAF Project Grant Final Budget Form
2023 CKAF Project Grant Final Report Form
2023 CKAF Project Grant Final Budget Form
Extension Requests
Grant recipients may request an extension for Interim or Final Reports. Requests must be made in writing at least five business days in advance of the deadline. Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the KAC Executive Director and will not exceed 30 calendar days.
If the project will not be completed by 31 December 2025, the recipient must submit a request to KAC to extend the term of the project grant. Requests must be submitted before the original Final Report deadline based on the application. Requests should be made in writing to the Grants Coordinator and will be granted at the discretion of the KAC Executive Director. Extensions will not exceed 120 calendar days.
If Project Grant recipients do not submit their signed grant agreement and insurance or an extension request by the original Final Report deadline, the grant will be considered null and void and the amount will not be issued.
Extension requests should be submitted via email to grants@artskingston.ca