Revamped NWT Arts programs to better fit artists, applications open now

Press Release

April 17, 2026

Two new and five updated arts programs, offered through the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), are now open for applications. These programs were redesigned by integrating changes and feedback heard from artists and organizations through a variety of engagements. The arts programs are now designed to fit artists and people rather than trying to fit them into the programs.

The supports available through the arts funding are now easier to access, easier to understand, and more responsive to the needs of artists, arts organizations, and arts businesses across the Northwest Territories.

Five NWT arts programs received updates, with new application windows:

• Small Arts Grant
  • Support for artists to create small-scale arts projects.
  • Applications accepted year-round and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Funding is refreshed April 1st each year.
• Medium Arts Projects Grants
  • Support for established artists and organizations to create medium-scale projects and events.
  • Applications have 3 intake deadlines per year:
    • First 2026-2027 intake deadline is May 1st, 2026
    • Second 2026-2027 intake deadline is June 30th, 2026
    • Third 2026-2027 intake deadline is October 31st, 2026
• Large Arts Fund
  • Support for arts organizations to deliver large-scale projects and events.
  • The intake deadline is May 1st, 2026.
• Arts Operating Fund
  • Support for non-profit arts organizations that operate year-round.
  • The intake deadline is May 1st, 2026.
• Artist to Market Program
  • Support for artist cohorts to showcase at events.
  • Application windows are announced on an on-call basis. Visit the program page for more information about calls for applications.

There are two new arts programs, created to provide better support to artists and art businesses:

• Artist Travel and Touring Fund
  • Support for artists and groups to travel to promote, share or advance with their artistic practice.
  • Applications accepted year-round and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Funding is refreshed April 1st each year.
• Arts Business Support Fund
  • Support for artists, entrepreneurs or small businesses to start, stabilize or grow arts-related enterprises.
  • Applications accepted year-round and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Funding is refreshed April 1st each year.

Detailed program and contact information for all of the above programs is now available online at iti.gov.nt.ca/services. Artists, businesses and organizations can now access program forms and guidelines and are encouraged to begin or update applications.

Arts programs were updated as part of a restructuring process, informed by extensive engagement with artists and arts organizations throughout the NWT and informed by the What We Heard report from the NWT Arts Strategy public engagement process.

The redesigned model brings all funding streams under a single structure with consistent language, clearer guidelines, and harmonized processes. This modernization helps reduce administrative barriers, improves fairness and transparency, and better aligns funding with the unique needs of NWT artists and arts organizations.

Quote

“One of the main goals of revising our arts funding programs was to move from a place of trying to fit artists and people into our programs, to instead making the programs fit the artists and people. The arts sector plays an important role in diversifying the Northwest Territories’ economy, and it’s critical that artists and organizations in this space are supported and encouraged to do what they do best – create. Revamping and updating the arts programs is important work – these programs can support the growth of a new artistic practice, help launch an arts business and even encourage the sharing of northern talent and products with audiences far outside our territorial boundaries. The new suite of arts funding programs were shaped by the artists who use them and tailored to help arts in the Northwest Territories thrive.”

– Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment

Quick facts

• Effective April 1, 2025, the NWT Arts Council and arts funding programs previously administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment transitioned to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
• The redesigned funding model brings all arts funding streams under a single umbrella structure with consistent language, clearer guidelines, and harmonized processes.
• The GNWT released its Arts Program Review in October 2022, outlining recommendations to improve the delivery of arts programming.

Related links

• NWT Arts Website: https://www.nwtarts.com/
• 2022 Arts Program Review: https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/arts_program_review.pdf
• 2021-2031 NWT Arts Strategy: https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/nwt-arts-strategy-2021-2031.pdf

For media requests, please contact:
Melvin Leonard
Assistant Director, Strategic Communication
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 767-9202 ext. 63038
Email: ITIcommunications@gov.nt.ca

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