Photo Courtesy of Kingston Symphony Association
Photo Courtesy of Kingston Symphony Association

About Operating Grants

Operating Grants are annual grants to support the operations, programs and/or services of a wide range of non-profit arts organizations (professional, semi-professional, and emerging) in Kingston. City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF) Operating Grants are usually expected to be renewable grants, based on the assessment and decision-making provisions outlined in the CKAF Framework.


Funding Period

CKAF 2026 Operating Grants are intended to support the recipient organization’s operations and programming for their fiscal year ending in 2027.


Key Dates

Applications Open Thursday, 26 March 2026
Information Session Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 2:00 PM ET
Deadline to Book a Consultation* Thursday, 23 April 2026
Application Deadline Thursday, 7 May 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Results Expected Wednesday, 8 July 2026

*First-time Operating Grant applicants must book a consultation with KAC staff before 23 April 2026 to assess their eligibility for this program.


Grant Amounts

Grants range from $10,000 – $65,000.


Eligibility Requirements

All Eligibility requirements can be found within the 2026 CKAF Operating Grant Guidelines document.


Application Deadline

Thursday, 7 May 2026
11:59 PM ET


Grant Application Support

The KAC is committed to Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IIDEA) and strives to make our granting processes more accessible. Applicants with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact KAC staff as early in the application period as possible to request accommodations for their grant application. Applicant support offered for the CKAF grant program include, but are not necessarily limited to: 

  • Providing ASL interpretation at all CKAF Information Sessions;
  • Facilitating online or in-person meetings, and by request:
    • Providing Access Notes for the KAC office for in-person meetings; and/or
    • Providing ASL interpretation for individual meetings with applicants, typically hosted via Zoom.
  • New to CKAF: Providing financial support of up to $500 for grant writing services for applicants who are Deaf, living with a disability, illiterate, or do not have a working proficiency in English;
    • Note: Financial support for CKAF grant writing services must be requested by the applicant and approved by the KAC no less than two weeks prior to the application deadline. Applicants who are approved for this type of support must then submit the service provider’s details to KAC staff, who will coordinate payment with the service provider directly. The applicant is responsible for paying the service provider for any costs exceeding the maximum allowance.
  • Providing recommendations for services or tools that may be of use to artists with accessibility needs

Alternate forms of support for grant applications, including alternative submission methods for components of an application, may be considered upon request. Please contact KAC staff if there is another way we can make the grant application process more accessible for you, and we’d be happy to consider it.


Applications and Submission Process

Completed applications are due to the Kingston Arts Council by Thursday, 7 May 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. 

Before applying you must:

  • Review the 2026 CKAF Operating Grant Guidelines
  • Book a consultation with KAC staff before 23 April 2026 to assess eligibility for the program (new applicants only)

A complete application consists of:

Submission Instructions

Completed applications are due to the Kingston Arts Council by Thursday, 7 May 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. 

Applications must be submitted by email to Grants@ArtsKingston.ca. All application files should be attached and submitted in one (1) email. If the attachments are too large, send them as a ZIP folder. Please review the detailed application instructions and application checklist before submitting to ensure all required materials are included.

If you require accommodations, please contact Grants@ArtsKingston.ca no less than two weeks in advance of the application deadline.

Information Session

The KAC will host an information session for the Operating Grant stream, which will include a detailed review of the respective Guidelines, Application Forms, and Assessment Criteria, as well as a Q&A with KAC staff.

The session will be hosted virtually via Zoom, with ASL interpretation provided.

The session will be recorded and shared via the KAC website for applicants who are unable to attend.

CKAF 2026 Operating Grants Information Session:
Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Register to attend here: ckaf-operating.eventbrite.ca

Adjudication

Assessment Criteria

CKAF Operating Grant applications are assessed based on the criteria outlined below. In preparation for adjudication, jurors assign each of the assessment criteria below a score on a scale of 1 to 5. 

  • Artistic Mandate
  • Artistic Programming and Service Quality 
  • Impact and Benefit to Kingston Residents
  • Financial Management and Viability
  • Leadership, Administration, and Governance

More details on the assessment criteria can be found in the 2026 CKAF Operating Grant Guidelines.

Adjudicators

Applications are reviewed by a jury of artists and arts professionals. Jurors are selected for their knowledge of the arts, high standing in the arts community, and awareness of the local and broader arts environment; jurors are reflective of the gender, demographic, and cultural diversity of Kingston.

If you would like to be considered for the 2026 CKAF Operating Grant Jury, please submit a Juror Interest Form.


Contact Information - Kingston Arts Council

Inquiries regarding the CKAF Operating Grant program should be directed to Shamara Peart, Grants Administrator at Grants@ArtsKingston.ca or 613-546-2787. Applicants may also visit the KAC office in person during office hours.

The KAC Office:

Unit 115, Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
370 King St W, Kingston ON  K7L 2X4
Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM