Creative Industries Fund: creative businesses
Creative businesses can apply for funding from the Creative Industries Fund to help increase sales and grow the presence of Nova Scotia’s cultural products outside the province.
Use the Creative Industries Fund Application Form to help grow the export capacity of Nova Scotian artists and creative producers.
The Creative Industries Fund helps creative businesses:
- expand sales or distribution outside Nova Scotia
- build brand awareness or engagement in new markets
- reach new audiences, partners or buyers
- increase or diversify revenue streams
- support long-term export growth for their business
Apply through the Creative Industries Fund for non-profits and service organizations application process if your organization is a non-profit or service organization (not through the creative businesses application process).
Funding amount
The Creative Industries Fund may fund up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 to $30,000 for each project. The applicant needs to fund the balance of the costs.
Eligible project costs and activities
Eligible project costs and activities include:
- business, strategic and marketing plans focused on export development
- digital and traditional marketing campaigns for national or international audiences
- market intelligence, research and lead generation for new markets outside of the province
- branding or rebranding for international markets
- e-commerce strategies and improving e-commerce systems that support sales outside of Nova Scotia
- travel to attend trade shows, showcases and other activities that directly support export growth
- touring for performing arts companies
- screen travel to major markets (some restrictions apply)
- touring for musician clients (some restrictions apply)
Ineligible costs include:
- recurring or ongoing operational activities
- employee wages not directly related to the project
- administration costs
- production costs and content creation costs
- website maintenance and hosting fees
- monthly subscriptions
- capital purchases (like buildings and software)
- projects or project components already funded through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage or Arts Nova Scotia
- GST, HST, PST and QST
- quarantine costs related to travel and touring
Eligibility
Creative businesses can apply for funding if the business is registered and in good standing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies, a sole proprietorship with a GST/HST number or federally registered under the Corporations Act.
Creative businesses also need to be in 1 of the following sectors:
- fashion and design
- production and fine craft
- published works
- performing arts
- music
- screen
- visual arts and applied arts
Ineligible groups
Creative businesses that are ineligible for funding (and can’t apply) include:
- non-profits and service organizations
- businesses working on digital gaming and animation
You need to apply for funding by 1 December 2026. The funding program processes applications as they receive them until all available funds are allocated (gone). Once all funds are allocated, the program closes and no longer accepts new applications.
Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Creative Industries Fund Guidelines for creative businesses.
How to apply
- Review detailed program criteria in the Creative Industries Fund Guidelines for creative businesses.
- Contact the Creative Industries Fund to discuss your project idea and confirm your eligibility.
- Complete the funding application.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Complete the budget template.
- Send your completed application, supporting documents and budget template by email.
How long it takes
It should take 3 to 4 months for the program to review your funding application and let you know if your funding application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to apply.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- Registry of Joint Stock Companies ID, if applicable
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number, if applicable
- total cost of project
- description of project
- project locations
- project objectives
- work plan, including timelines, key steps and dates for completion