Financial Support & Grant Assistance for GRT Intensives
We understand that the cost of training can be a challenge for many artists. At Ghost River Theatre, we are committed to making our Devised Theatre Intensives as accessible as possible. We provide support and resources to help offset costs and guide you through funding opportunities.
Ghost River Theatre has helped countless artists navigate grant applications and secure funding to participate in our intensive programs, making advanced theatre training more attainable. Some of the ways GRT is able to support artists by:
Guidance on Grant Applications: We assist artists in identifying appropriate grants and offer advice to strengthen applications.
Letters of Support: We provide personalized letters confirming your participation in our intensives to support your grant requests.
Flexible Payment Plans: Manage your investment with our payment plan options.
Funding Resources: We maintain an up-to-date list of grants and funding programs for artists.
To request support please email us at play@ghostrivertheatre.com - with the subject line “GRT Intensive Support” make sure you include your name, the name of GRT intensive you are looking interested in applying for, and where you are located.
Grant Application Tips from Ghost River Theatre
Applying for arts funding can feel like a big lift — but with some preparation and strategy, it’s totally doable. Here are some tips we’ve seen work well for artists applying to support their participation in Ghost River Theatre’s intensives and other professional development opportunities:
Read the guidelines carefully — really carefully. Granting bodies each have their own requirements and priorities.
Look for info sessions or webinars offered by the funder. They often share valuable insight on what they’re looking for.
Don’t be shy about reaching out to the grant officer with questions — that’s what they’re there for.
Get familiar with the application portal early so there are no last-minute tech surprises.
Work ahead of the deadline and keep your answers clear, concise, and focused.
Build a realistic budget — avoid padding numbers and make sure every line adds up.
Choose strong support materials that truly reflect your practice and align with your artistic goals.
If you’re sending extra files, follow the funder’s naming rules, file formats, and size limits to the letter.
Stick to word counts — it shows you can follow directions and helps evaluators.
Proofread like your funding depends on it — check for typos, broken links, or unclear language.
Submit early so you’re not stressed about the clock.
If you need a letter of support from Ghost River Theatre to strengthen your application, we’re happy to help. Just send us the details — including your acceptance letter, program dates, and fees — so we can prepare it in time.
Canadian Artists
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Provides funding to eligible Canadian organizations to support high-quality arts training opportunities, including scholarships, bursaries, and professional development programs that can help individual artists pursue training, workshops, and intensives.
Funding Available – Up to $250,000 (per organization in multi-year funding cycles; varies by program and organization).Who Can Apply:
Canadian arts training organizations and institutions
Professional arts training programs (e.g., conservatories, workshops)
Organizations providing scholarships or bursaries for individual artists
Eligibility:
Must be a Canadian registered not-for-profit or post-secondary institution offering arts training
Training must be high-quality and aimed at professional artists
Scholarships/bursaries must be accessible to Canadian artists, potentially including tuition for programs like Ghost River Theatre intensives
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Supports the career growth of Canadian artists and artistic groups by encouraging participation in a wide range of professional development activities (workshops, mentorships, internships, specialized training).
Funding Available – Up to $10,000
Who Can Apply:
Artists and curators
Artistic groups and collectives
Canadian applicants with a validated profile in the Canada Council portal
Eligibility:
Canadian individuals or artistic groups (all disciplines)
Must apply via validated Canada Council for the Arts profile
Application assistance available for Deaf, hard of hearing, disability-identified, or First Nations/Inuit/Métis artists facing barriers
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Supports professional artists, cultural practitioners, production/technical personnel, and arts administrators in BC to undertake short-term learning activities (workshops, mentorships, learning residencies, masterclasses) that advance their practice or career.
Funding Available – Up to $7,500 (may cover 100 % of eligible expenses)
Who Can Apply:
Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in BC for at least 12 months.
Professional artists, cultural practitioners, production/technical personnel, or arts administrators.
Eligibility:
The learning activity must be structured (course, workshop, mentorship, etc.), with clear learning goals—not self-directed or aimed at creating new work.
Application must be submitted via BC Arts Council online system; only one application per fiscal year.
Preference may be given to applicants from designated priority groups (Indigenous, Deaf/disability, Black or people of colour, outside metro Vancouver/Capital Region).
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Provides funding to support the development of individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or ensembles for theatre and performance art projects, including training, career development, research, marketing, production, and tuition.
Funding Available: Up to $18,000
Who Can Apply:
Individual Artists
Collaborating Artists
Ensembles
Artist Collectives
Arts Administrators
Eligibility:
Alberta resident for at least one year and normally living in Alberta six months per year
No outstanding reporting obligations to AFA
Eligible projects include training, career development, research, marketing, production, tuition, travel, accommodation, and basic living costs (up to $3,000/month)
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The Artist Development Microgrant provides one-time funding to individual artists and artist collectives in Calgary / Mohkinsstsis working in any artistic discipline who pursue a professional practice.
This program supports applicants with professional and artistic skill development or business and career development activities. The microgrant seeks to invest in artists to access education and mentorship, build skills and networks, create new ways of working and promote entrepreneurship and business acumen.
Funding Available - Up to $5000
Who Can Apply:
Individual artists
Artist collectives
Cultural workers
Eligibility:
primarily live and work in Calgary (i.e. for at least six months of the year except attending a formal program of study).
Must have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number or Individual Tax Number.
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Supports individual artists and collectives based in Calgary to create, develop, or share their artistic work, including professional development activities such as workshops and training.
Funding Available – Up to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Individual artists residing in Calgary
Artist collectives based in Calgary
Applicants working in any artistic discipline
Eligibility:
Must be a professional artist or arts collective residing in Calgary
Projects must have clear artistic goals and benefit the Calgary arts community
Funding can cover workshop fees, tuition, travel related to PD
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Offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities for individuals and organizations in Calgary and surrounding areas, including support for professional development and arts training.
Funding Available – Varies; individual scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Calgary and area residents
Individual artists, students, and emerging professionals
Nonprofit organizations supporting arts and culture
Eligibility:
Residency or significant connection to Calgary region required
Scholarships often have specific criteria depending on the fund
Professional development funding can include tuition for arts intensives and workshops
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Artists and their work are the foundation of our arts community. Working as individuals or collectives, artists pursue work that develops their practice, advances creative thought, contributes to an art form and provides our community with a reflection of itself.
The Edmonton Arts Council’s (EAC) Individuals & Collectives grant has three distinct streams, each with its own evaluation criteria and assessment process.
Stream 1: Exploration & Experimentation - supports an Individual artist to work on creation, experimentation, or research activities. Grant amounts are fixed at $5,000 to support subsistence and any additional costs to the individual while they take the time to pursue artistic work.
Stream 2: Skills & Career Development - supports receiving mentorship, attending a residency, or other forms of professional development for artists and arts and cultural workers. Projects may be individual or collective, and grants are available up to $10,000 based on projected expenses, including artist subsistence.
Stream 3: Artist-Driven Major Projects - supports artistic projects ready for implementation, production and/or presentation. This can include support for creation, subsistence, travel and/or mentorship. Projects may be individual or collective, and grants will be available up to $25,000 based on projected expenses, including artist subsistence.
Funding Available - $5,000 - $25,000 (varies between grant streams).
Who Can Apply:
Individual Artists
Artist Collectives
Eligibility:
Have an existing and committed practice in any arts discipline (including but not limited to customary and contemporary Indigenous or other cultural work) or have a history of other professional activity in the arts sector.
Be 18 years of age or older.
Be a resident of Edmonton / amiskwaciy- waskâhikan at the time of the application and for the duration of the project. This includes the City of Edmonton and the Indigenous communities of Enoch Cree Nation, Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation (artists may be asked to provide proof of residency).
Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) – grants are considered taxable income.
An individual or collective may receive one grant from this program annually from January to December.
Individuals or collectives who have overdue Edmonton Arts Council final reports will not be eligible.
Collectives also must:
Have a majority of members who are eligible individuals as described above; and
Have one individual (the primary applicant) apply on behalf of the collective.
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Supports Saskatchewan-based independent artists and arts professionals with funding to develop their skills and careers through training, workshops, mentorships, and professional development activities.
Funding Available – Up to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Independent artists living in Saskatchewan
Arts administrators and arts professionals based in Saskatchewan
Individuals working in all arts disciplines
Eligibility:
Must be a resident of Saskatchewan
Professional development must be relevant to artistic or professional growth
Activities eligible include workshops, training programs, conferences, and mentorships
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Provides project funding to Manitoba artists to support creation, presentation, and professional development activities including training, workshops, and residencies.
Funding Available – Up to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Manitoba-based professional artists
Artists working across all disciplines
Individual artists and collaborators
Eligibility:
Must reside in Manitoba and demonstrate artistic merit
Projects can include professional development, training, travel, and mentorships
Funding is not available for ongoing education or degree programs
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Supports Winnipeg-based artists seeking funds to attend workshops, training programs, mentorships, or other professional development activities to advance their artistic practice.
Funding Available – Up to $5,000Who Can Apply:
Artists residing in Winnipeg
Professional individual artists and artist collectives
Applicants from all artistic disciplines
Eligibility:
Must be a resident of Winnipeg
Applicants must demonstrate professional experience in their art form
Funding must be used for structured professional development opportunities
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Supports Ontario-based professional artists and arts administrators at any career stage to acquire new skills through structured training—such as mentorships, internships, apprenticeships, masterclasses—led by specialists who offer ongoing feedback.
Funding Available – Up to $7,500 per applicant.
Who Can Apply:
Professional artists residing in Ontario working in OAC-supported disciplines (e.g., dance, literature, media, multi/inter-arts, music, theatre, visual arts, craft)
Arts administrators residing in Ontario
Applicants must submit their project via OAC’s Nova system
Eligibility:
Learning must be led by a specialist (mentor, trainer, Elder) and include feedback; can include study, training, mentorship, internship, apprenticeship.
No partial grants—project budgets must be at least $7,500; if costs exceed that, applicants must show additional revenue sources.
Ineligible: ad hoc groups, collectives, municipalities, universities/colleges, full-time students, arts administrators in certain programs, applicants with incomplete final reports from previous Chalmers or related OAC PD projects.
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Provides funding to Toronto-based artists for professional development, project creation, presentation, and training opportunities to support artistic growth.
Funding Available – Up to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Professional artists living in Toronto
Artists across all disciplines
Individual artists and artist collectives
Eligibility:
Must reside in Toronto for at least one year
Professional development activities must contribute to artistic growth and career development
Must have previous professional experience and a portfolio of work
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Provides funding to artists living in Ottawa to support artistic creation, production, and professional development activities, including workshops, training, and residencies.
Funding Available – Up to $15,000Who Can Apply:
Professional artists residing in Ottawa
Artists working in any discipline
Individual artists and collectives
Eligibility:
Must be an Ottawa resident for at least 12 months
Professional development projects must enhance artistic practice or career growth
Must have a record of artistic activity and achievement
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Provides financial support to artists and cultural organizations in Quebec to develop their careers and create projects, including funding for professional development and training activities.
Funding Available – Up to $50,000 depending on programWho Can Apply:
Professional artists residing in Quebec
Cultural organizations based in Quebec
Individual arts professionals seeking career development
Eligibility:
Applicants must be Quebec residents
Projects or training must demonstrate artistic and professional merit
Professional development funds may support workshops, mentorships, or training tuition
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Supports Nova Scotia-based individual artists to develop their skills and careers through workshops, mentorships, training, and other professional development activities.
Funding Available – Up to $8,000Who Can Apply:
Professional artists residing in Nova Scotia
Artists working in any discipline
Individual applicants only
Eligibility:
Must be a resident of Nova Scotia
Proposed professional development must relate directly to artistic practice
Applicants must demonstrate a history of professional activity in the arts
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Provides funding to professional arts organizations and individual artists in Halifax Regional Municipality to support arts creation, professional development, and community engagement initiatives.
Funding Available – Varies; up to $25,000 for organizations; individual support depends on specific programsWho Can Apply:
Professional arts organizations based in HRM
Individual artists residing in Halifax
Collectives and artist-run centres
Eligibility:
Applicants must reside or be based in HRM
Funding supports creation, training, professional development, and public engagement
Applicants must demonstrate professionalism and community impact
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Supports professional growth and skill-building activities for Prince Edward Island artists across multiple disciplines including fine crafts, dance, interdisciplinary arts, film and media, music, theatre, visual arts, writing, and publishing.
Funding Available:$1,000 - $2,500Who Can Apply:
Individual artists or small groups/bands residing in PEI
Artists at established professional, emerging professional, or amateur levels
Artists working in any eligible discipline listed above
Eligibility:
Funds can be used for mentorships, apprenticeships, internships, residencies, short-term training programs, portfolio development, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional development activities
Programs part of full-time study or formal educational course requirements are NOT eligible
Festivals, contests, events, and not-for-profit organizations are NOT eligible
Eligible expenses include program fees, materials, supplies, and travel costs
Capital costs, subsistence, self-study, or activities supporting educational program delivery are NOT eligible
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The Career Development program is designed to recognize and encourage arts professionals who have demonstrated exceptional artistic talent and potential, and who are pursuing a career in the arts. The Professional Development component assists professional artists to pursue full-time, part-time or short-term studies, workshops, and mentorships.
Funding Available: Up to $3,000
Who Can Apply:
Professional artists residing in New Brunswick
Artists pursuing an active career in the arts
Individual artists demonstrating talent and career development potential
Eligibility:
Be a Canadian citizen, have an affiliation with a First Nation on Turtle Island, be a permanent resident of Canada or have an application for permanent resident in process;
Have resided in New Brunswick for at least one year (12 months) prior to the application deadline;
Must qualify as a professional artist: artsnb Definition of a Professional Artist.
Artists who present a project in a discipline other than the one in which they normally operate must have at least one presentation or work in that discipline in a professional context.
American Artists
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Aims to strengthen the level of critical discourse and practice among fine artists in the region through travel that supports professional development.
Funding Available: Varies; typically supports travel for professional development
Who Can Apply:
Fine artists in the region served by the foundation
Artists seeking to enhance their practice through travel and professional development
Eligibility:
Funds can be used for travel related to professional development opportunities such as workshops and training
Application deadlines and eligibility criteria vary; check the website for current information
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Offers unrestricted project grants and professional development services to U.S.-based artists for the creation of innovative, original, and groundbreaking new artistic works.
Funding Available – Up to $50,000
Who Can Apply:U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, O-1 visa holders, or Tribal ID holders
Artists at least 25 years old by the application deadline.
Artists with at least 5 years of professional artistic practice.
Eligibility:Must not be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program
Cannot have previously received a Creative Capital Award.
Cannot apply for the Warhol Foundation Arts Writers grant program in the same year.
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Provides emergency financial assistance to professional performing artists in New York City who face critical crises such as eviction, medical emergencies, and utility shutoffs. Grants are paid directly to vendors and help artists sustain their careers during difficult times.
Funding Available – Up to $1000Who Can Apply:
Professional performing artists with at least five consecutive years of sustained career work
Artists residing in one of New York City’s five boroughs
Artists facing financial crisis and lacking other emergency resources
Eligibility:
Must demonstrate ongoing professional performing career
Proof of financial need and inability to cover emergency expenses
Must not have received an EARP grant within the last 2 years
Required documentation includes valid photo ID, performance resume, proof of earnings, recent bank statement, and bills related to the emergency (rent, medical, utilities, etc.)
Grants are paid directly to service providers or vendors (e.g., landlord, doctor) rather than to the artist
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Provides urgent funding to U.S.-based visual and performing artists who have sudden opportunities to present their work or incur unexpected expenses for projects close to completion.
Funding Available – Up to $2,500
Who Can Apply:Individual artists residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories
Artists working in visual and performing arts
Artists with committed exhibition or performance dates.
Eligibility:Must have a U.S. Tax ID Number (SSN, EIN, ITIN, or other)
Must have sudden, unanticipated opportunities or unexpected expenses
Funds can be used for last-minute support or project completion
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Supports early-career artists based in Minnesota and New York City who are working in and across multiple artistic fields, including dance, film, literature, music, technology-centered arts, theatre, performance, spoken word, and visual arts.
Funding Available – $60,000 over three years ($20,000 each year)
Who Can Apply:Early-career artists within their 2nd–10th year as a generative artist
Artists based in Minnesota or New York City
Individual artists or collaborative groups
Eligibility:
Must demonstrate a commitment to creative risk-taking and innovation
Funds can be used for the creation of new work, artistic development, and professional artistic career development
Application deadlines and guidelines are announced periodically; applicants should refer to the Jerome Foundation's official website for current information.
Click Here to LEARN MORE & APPLY -
Supports artists and arts administrators by offsetting expenses related to unique opportunities that will significantly impact their artistic career or business development.
Funding Available: Varies; total awards of $116,000 in the latest cycle
Who Can Apply:
Artists and arts administrators in the Portland, OR, area
Individuals seeking professional development opportunities
Eligibility:
Funds can be used for workshops, training programs, and other professional development activities
Application deadlines and eligibility criteria vary; check the website for current information
International Artists
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.