Artists' Fund - Fondation des Artistes

Artists’ Fund

The Artists’ Fund of the Artists’ Foundation may be available to you. This Fund aims to support professional artists who are going through a difficult or financially precarious period. It provides one-time assistance and is not intended as ongoing support.

Who can receive assistance?

The Artists’ Foundation relies on the Act respecting the professional status of artists in the visual arts, film, recording, literature, crafts, and performing arts to define the term “artist.”

Definition of an artist:

– Identifies as a professional artist;
– Creates works or practices an art independently, or offers their services, for remuneration, as a creator or performer;
– Presents or performs works publicly in venues or contexts recognized by peers.

It is important to note that start-up or project launch grants are not eligible, since our mission is primarily focused on the well-being, security, and dignity of artists experiencing a period of vulnerability.

The Artists’ Foundation does not replace the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) or any other funding body supporting artistic activities themselves. While CALQ supports the creation, experimentation, production, and dissemination of artistic works locally and internationally, our role is complementary and essential: to provide human and financial support to artists who, at some point in their journey, need assistance to continue moving forward.

Note: Due to the high volume of requests, only one application for financial assistance may be submitted within a 12-month period. However, please note that first-time applications are always prioritized by the allocation committee. Applying to one of the financial funds does not prevent you from applying to the Equilibrium Program or the Psychosocial Support Fund, which are intended to support your well-being. To learn more about these services, click here.

Eligibility criteria

Here are the main eligibility criteria

Be a professional artist with self-employed status.
Work in one of the following sectors: performing arts, literature, visual arts, or audiovisual arts.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Be a tax resident of Quebec and either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
Emerging artist under 30 years old with fewer than five (5) years of professional experience and earning significant income from artistic practice.
Artist under 30 years old with more than five (5) years of active artistic practice and who has earned the majority of their income from that practice for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
Artist aged 30 or older who has earned the majority of their income from their artistic practice for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
Demonstrate genuine financial hardship affecting your ability to meet essential needs (housing, food, healthcare expenses).

Important note: Since every situation is unique, applications are carefully reviewed by our grant allocation committee, which consists of artists from diverse backgrounds. Applications are evaluated based on the information provided in the file.

Please note that individuals eligible for regular Employment Insurance (unemployment insurance) benefits are not eligible for the Artists’ Fund.

Application form

To make your application, please fill in the form simply and confidentially using our online platform.

Before you begin your application, please have the following information and documents ready:

– A photo of your health insurance card or passport;
– Page 2 (“Calculation Details”) of your Revenu Québec notices of assessment for the last three years;
– Your dated and detailed resume/CV, including professional engagements, training, and corresponding years;
– A text (approximately 300 words) explaining the reasons for your request for support from the Artists’ Foundation, including an estimate of the expenses this assistance would help cover;
– Your account balances (debit, credit, investments);
– Any relevant supporting documents if applicable (e.g., medical note, proof of overdue payments, etc.).

Please take care to provide us with the requested documents to enable the committee to analyze your request with transparency.

Send a request

Need assistance?

Don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Artists’ Fundation team who will be happy to assist you at 514 ARTISTE (278-4783) poste 3 or by e-mail at accueil@fondationdesartistes.ca .

Artists’ Fund

– Identifies as a professional artist;– Creates works or practices an art independently, or offers their services, for remuneration, as a creator or performer;– Presents or performs works publicly in venues or contexts recognized by peers.

Eligibility criteria

Here are the main eligibility criteria

Important note: Since every situation is unique, applications are carefully reviewed by our grant allocation committee, which consists of artists from diverse backgrounds. Applications are evaluated based on the information provided in the file.

Application form

Before you begin your application, please have the following information and documents ready:

Need assistance?

– Identifies as a professional artist;
– Creates works or practices an art independently, or offers their services, for remuneration, as a creator or performer;
– Presents or performs works publicly in venues or contexts recognized by peers.