The Kingston Arts Council (KAC) is now accepting applications for Project Grants as part of the 2025 City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF). This funding program is administered each year by the KAC on behalf of the City of Kingston and provides grants to local arts organizations, collectives, and individual artists to enrich how Kingston residents experience and engage with the arts.

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.

Through this streamlined Project Grants program, individuals, collectives, and organizations can apply for 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. Complete application requirements and information about the program including eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the program guidelines. CKAF 2025 Project Grant Guidelines and Application Forms are available for download on the KAC website (web link).

Deadline: Applications for CKAF 2025 Project Grants are due Thursday, 31 July 2025 by 11:59 PM ET.

Information Session

The KAC will be 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.

Register to attend here: web link

Applicant 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. To submit an inquiry or request a meeting, please contact KAC staff at [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected].

About the City of Kingston Arts Fund

In 2007, Kingston City Council established the City of Kingston Arts Fund, comprised of $100,000 from the Healthy Community Fund Program and an additional $400,000 in new funding. The Kingston Arts Council was contracted to administer CKAF and City Council has continued to invest in its growth each year as part of its commitment to supporting arts and culture in Kingston. CKAF nurtures the capacity of the arts, artists, and arts sector in Kingston while fostering creativity, encouraging social cohesion, enhancing quality of life for Kingston residents, and stimulating economic development through direct investment. The City of Kingston Arts Fund has invested approximately $10.4 million through this program since its inception.

Starting in 2026, the CKAF will continue to support the arts sector in Kingston, including arts organizations, festivals, projects, and individual artists through a new CKAF Framework that was approved by City Council in May 2025. Posted: Jul 4, 2025