Winnipeg Arts Council 2027: Up to C$10,000 for Local Media Arts Organisations and Collectives — Opens 2 November
2027 project support for Winnipeg film, video and media arts groups
The Winnipeg Arts Council has published its next Project Grant Program for Arts Organizations and Collectives. Applications are scheduled to open on Monday 2 November 2026 and close on Tuesday 2 February 2027. Awards may contribute up to C$10,000 to eligible local projects. New and developing cultural organisations, established organisations undertaking discrete projects, and qualifying collectives are among the intended applicants. Visual arts, film, video, media arts and other performing or cultural traditions are explicitly included. On 20 October 2026 this 2027 round has been announced but its application system and 2027 documents are not yet open.
City-based organisations and arts collectives, not unrestricted world applicants
The programme is reserved for arts organisations and collectives working in Winnipeg, Manitoba, whose main activity is creating, producing or presenting art. Non-incorporated artist groups can sometimes qualify under additional guidelines, but they must consult the Council's Grants Consultant to confirm their eligibility before applying. Organisations receiving other funding from the City of Winnipeg or one of its agencies are excluded. A company from outside Winnipeg cannot become eligible solely by proposing to display an online video accessible to Winnipeg residents.
What kinds of projects can fit digital and media arts
The Council considers a wide range of activities based on artistic merit and community impact. A local artist collective might propose a professionally curated moving-image exhibition, public film/video presentation, interactive media-arts programme or another discrete creative undertaking with identifiable local benefit. The application should explain the planned outputs, intended community, accessible venues, collaborating artists and production conditions. A regular commercial marketing campaign, private software-as-a-service project or activity that primarily benefits an unrelated overseas market would not automatically meet the stated artistic mission.
C$10,000 is a maximum, not a standard grant
A qualifying applicant can request partial project support up to C$10,000; actual awards depend on the funding available, assessment and the proposed budget. The project should be scheduled to take place between 1 May 2027 and 30 November 2028 for this announced cycle. Applicants should prepare a clear cost and revenue plan, distinguish confirmed from unconfirmed supporters, and keep track of media permissions, technical rentals and artists' fees. The programme does not guarantee the full project cost nor a salary to every member of a collective.
Opening and submission procedure
Applications are due online through the Winnipeg Arts Council's GoSmart system by 11:59pm local time on 2 February 2027. The agency advises that technical support is not available outside its staffed hours. Full required forms and 2027 supporting documentation will be available when the intake opens in November, so teams should not submit outdated 2026 PDFs and assume those documents are accepted. The Council asks collectives to speak to the Grants Consultant before applying and points applicants to its official council portal. Preparing a concise artistic concept and potential community partners ahead of 2 November is reasonable.
About the public arts body and its track record
The Winnipeg Arts Council has an established role supporting and recognising the city's artists, art organisations and public art projects in partnership with the City of Winnipeg. Its website publishes grant recipients, forms, programme guidelines, awards and public-art initiatives. The public criteria and municipal partnership can be independently checked. The Council acknowledges its location on Treaty 1 Territory and in the homeland of the Red River Métis, and runs professional assessment of a broad spectrum of artistic traditions. Apply through the Council's own grant system and seek advice before paying any third-party consultant.
Official funding/application source
https://winnipegarts.ca/grants/project-grant-program-for-arts-organizations-collectives