Comedy and The Canada Council

To be eligible, you must:

• be incorporated as a not-for-profit
• be in operation for at least two years
• have a history of at least two public presentations/productions
• employ professional artists and pay professional artist fees

Creating, Knowing & Sharing is a comprehensive funding program developed by and for Indigenous people, and is based on an Indigenous-centred framework.

Organizations not receiving core funding may submit 3 project grant applications per year (between March 1 – February 28).

Most project grants can be submitted at any time. However, most competitions have cut-off dates. Depending on when you submit, that determines when you get your results.

For more info on cut-off dates and result dates: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/deadlines

Individuals who are Deaf or who have disabilities, including those living with mental illness, and require accommodation at any stage of the application process may be eligible for additional assistance.

The majority of Council’s funding decisions are based on the recommendations from peer assessment committees.

These committees :

• are composed of artists and arts professionals from all over Canada who have the expertise required to assess applications
• review and assess applications and make recommendations for funding using the published criteria to assess and score the applications

Peer assessment reflects Canada’s population by representing Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, the Deaf and disability communities, all regions, and a balance of gender, age and official languages.

• Committee members assess all applications based on the assessment criteria.
• Historical and current cultural contexts as well as barriers faced by designated priority groups when assessing and scoring applications.

https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/funding-decisions/decision-making-process/application-assessment

• Application assistance;
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups and organizations: Creating, Knowing and Sharing;
• Supplementary funds contributing towards the cost of disability-related supports and services needed to carry out activities funded : Access Support;
• Support to increase access to diversified markets and audiences for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs): Market Access Strategy for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) Fund.
• Support towards building capacity and improving the arts sector for organizations and cultural connectors from culturally diverse, Deaf and disability, official language minority, and Indigenous communities: Sector Innovation and Development.

• Professional stand-up, improv and sketch comedy arts do not have a dedicated field of practice at the Canada Council for the Arts. However, the Council understands that a broad definition of theatre or literature can include forms practiced by stand-up, improv and sketch comedy artists such as improvisational theatre or solo creation. The Council also recognizes that many stand-ups, improv and sketch comedy artists have professional training and experience as theatre artists or literary writers.

• Applicants from the stand-up, improv and sketch comedy arts communities who respond to current eligibility criteria in theatre or literary arts are welcome to register for a profile at any time through the Council’s Application portal: https://apply.canadacouncil.ca/. Support is available for assistance with registration in the portal and to navigate the programs.

• Applications will be evaluated based on the published assessment criteria of each component.

• The Council encourages stand-up, improv and sketch comedy artists who are applying for the first-time to explore their eligibility to the New and Early Career Artists profile, which has more accessible eligibility criteria and give access to three components in the Explore and Create program.

• When applying, instead of focusing on the potential commercial success of the work, focus on creative development, risk-taking, artistic innovation, pushing boundaries and reaching new audiences.

• Stand-up, improv and sketch comedy artists who satisfy the theatre or literary arts profile can also self-nominate to participate in the Council’s peer assessment process through the Council’s Application portal: https://apply.canadacouncil.ca/. Stand-up, improv and sketch comedy artists, whether they intend to apply to the Council or not, are encouraged to submit their candidacy.

The Canada Council welcomes feedback on the experience of applicants with the granting process at any time.