Sign Up for the Grant Gazette

5 Grant Gotchas - Header CTA - Hello Bar

Along the top of the site, you will see a "call to action." It's an orange bar.

  • By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

There is grant money waiting for YOU!

BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP) │ Calgary Arts Development

September 24, 2025

Value

Individual artists may apply for up to $20,000, artist collectives may apply for up to $25,000, and Indigenous arts organizations may apply for up to $30,000.

Description

The Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP) supports the development, preservation and revitalization of First Nations, Métis and Inuit art through art-based projects that are supported and validated by FNMI artists, community, Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Eligible Applicants

This program is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) individual artists, FNMI artist collectives, and Indigenous-led and -centred art organizations practicing and operating in the Treaty 7 region in any artistic discipline. This program is also open to projects from FNMI cultural workers, arts administrators and curators (as long as they are the lead artist/organizer for the creative process and artistic vision).

Eligible Expenses

Please ensure that your project is eligible for this program, then refer to the list below for guidance on eligible expenses. Any expense requested must be directly related to the completion and success of your proposed project.

  • Accessibility expenses (e.g. interpretation, translation, support workers, aid devices or tools such as screen readers). You may only request the purchase of accessibility equipment and software and/or request a support worker if it is directly related to the completion and success of your proposed project. You must be specific about the accessibility equipment you wish to purchase, the support worker’s role, why it’s needed and what it costs.
  • Artist fees
  • Professional fees (e.g., fees paid to individuals offering professional services such as web design, publicity or marketing, financial, accounting or legal services)
  • Technical fees (e.g., web service fees, licensing fees, subscription fees — for the duration of your proposed activity)
  • Elder and Knowledge Keeper fees
  • Honorariums (a gifted payment made to a person who provided their services in a voluntary capacity)
  • Materials & Supplies
  • Course fees (for individual courses that do not count toward the pursuit of a credit, diploma or degree-granting program)
  • Documentation (e.g., photography, videography)
  • Marketing, promotion, publicity or outreach (e.g. ad purchases, printing promotional materials, hiring a marketing company)
  • Travel expenses (e.g., such as airfare, gas mileage or ride services)
  • Per diem (a daily rate for meals and incidentals while not at your primary residence)
  • Accommodation (e.g. hotels or short-term rentals while not at your primary residence)
  • Subsistence expenses (living expenses for your primary residence which may include rent, utilities, food, internet, childcare, etc.) You may only request subsistence if it is necessary to fully access, participate in or undertake your proposed project.
  • Rental of space (e.g. rehearsal, venue or studio space for the duration of the project)
  • Rental of equipment
  • Purchase of equipment (including hardware and permanent software). You may only request the purchase of equipment if it is directly related to the completion and success of your proposed project. You must be specific about the equipment you wish to purchase, why it’s needed and what it costs.

NOTE: Please be aware that some eligible project expenses for this program (such as artist fees or subsistence expenses) may not be considered deductible project expenses by the Canada Revenue Agency. Please consult the CRA guidelines as needed when creating your project budget.

Deadline Date

September 24, 2025: Application deadline (no applications accepted after 4:30pm MST)

Contact

Contact Name: Richelle Bear Hat│Community Investment Program Specialist

Phone Number: 403.264.5330 ext. 125

E-mail Address: richelle.bearhat@calgaryartsdevelopment.com

Website: https://calgaryartsdevelopment.com/programs/original-peoples-investment-program/

I’m going to let you in on a secret: You don’t have to waste countless hours or drown in paperwork to win grants

With ABG, you can find the right grants, prepare for your meeting, and write a winning application that will get you the most money, in the least amount of time.

Contact Alberta Business Grants right now.

Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas

There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.