The Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) is a support program designed to stimulate economic activity by providing financial support for heritage and professional arts activities based on the following objectives:

• To assist with initiatives in the cultural industries that are deemed a priority based on their potential for stimulating economic growth;
• To stimulate the sustainable development of the province's heritage resources; and
• To adhere to the principles outlined in Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture.

The objectives of the arts component of the Cultural Economic Development Program are as follows:

• To achieve job growth and to increase earned incomes for professional artists within the sector over the long-term;
• To increase capacity for market access and expansion of cultural products;
• To contribute to the stability of cultural infrastructures;
• To contribute to the growth of self-sustaining economic activity within the sector; and
• To support growth of the cultural tourism industry.

• Eligible Sectors
• Eligibility Criteria
• Program Components
• Application and Assessment Process
• Administration and Reporting
• Acknowledgment
• Forms
• Contact

• Visual Arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Dance
• Literary Arts
• Film and Video
• New Media

Eligible applicants include professional artists, cultural enterprises and not-for-profit organizations, including provincially based sectoral organizations whose principal activity is in at least one of the eligible cultural sectors. Applicants must meet the criteria for professional artists and cultural organizations as defined in Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture. For applicants working in a sector represented by a professional association, membership in that association is strongly recommended.

• participate in, as a principal activity, and earn a significant portion of their income from one of the previously defined eligible sectors;
• have a track record of regular public presentations, normally continuous over an extended period of time;
• are recognized as a professional by their peers or have equivalent professional experience in the cultural industries;
• have Canadian citizenship or are a permanent resident of Canada; and
• have been resident in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least twelve consecutive months prior to application. (Individuals who have worked outside the province during the year prior to application may be considered eligible if it can be demonstrated their permanent place of residence is Newfoundland and Labrador.)

For organizations, applicants should have:

• established a track record in the sector identified;
• demonstrated adequate managerial, professional, financial and technical capability (where applicable) to conduct the proposed activity; and
• demonstrated potential for long-term viability.

Not-for-profit organizations and cultural enterprises should be registered or incorporated for at least two years prior to application and must demonstrate their primary focus is on the presentation or promotion of cultural activities and/or products by professional artists and cultural industry workers.

While applicants meeting the above criteria may be considered for funding, eligibility does not guarantee an automatic right to assistance. Applicants are expected to seek support from other federal and provincial sources in order to complement CEDP funding. Once successful in obtaining a CEDP grant, applicants are normally not eligible for funding again until the following year.

Support is targeted at professional artists, sectoral organizations, established cultural events and festivals, and activities with industry-wide benefit. The program focuses on the following three components as a means of enhancing the overall impact of the cultural industries on the provincial economy.

Component 1: Operational Support

This component recognizes the importance of supporting strategies and initiatives of key sectoral organizations and major not-for-profit cultural attractions that aim to improve the capacity of the sector. Support is based on the submission of an annual strategy and work plan identifying measurable outcomes for increased stability of the sector. Preference is given to groups with an established track record of significant professional commitment to cultural industries development in the province. Successful applicants may be eligible to receive support for administrative, related project costs, and strategic planning.   

Component 2: Professional Development

This component supports activities targeted at strengthening and enhancing not-for-profit organizations, cultural enterprises and professional artists through workshops, courses and mentorships. Individual artists must be formally invited by an established school, program, institution or festival, and should clearly state in their application the economic importance of the project at this point in their career development. Cultural enterprises are eligible to apply for initiatives that will increase the economic status of professional artists through enhancement of their artistic endeavours.

Applicants may be eligible to receive financial support to a maximum of 90% of total eligible costs for administrative costs, travel expenses, per diems, professional fees and related training costs. The minimum level of support is $1,000. The maximum level of support to individual artists is $5,000.

Component 3: Market Access and Export

The purpose of this component is to expand the marketing, promotion and distribution of cultural products and activities that demonstrate the potential for positive economic and cultural impact. Not-for-profit organizations, cultural enterprises and professional artists are eligible to apply. Cultural enterprises are eligible to apply for initiatives that will increase the economic status of professional artists through increased marketability of their products and activities.

Initiatives aimed at the marketing, promotion and distribution of cultural products and activities, and attendance at national and international events including trade shows, trade missions and showcases, are eligible. The minimum level of support is $1,000. The maximum level of support to individual artists is $5,000. This program does not cover the cost of print advertising. Applicants may be eligible to receive support up to a maximum of 90% per cent for activities such as:

•   transportation

•   shipping and insurance

•   production and distribution of promotional materials

•  booth rental fees and registration

•   exhibit display and related costs

•   accommodation and meals

•   website development

For grants of $5,000 or less, two payments will be issued: an advance payment (50%) at the commencement of the project, and a final payment (50%) following completion of the project and submission of a final report. All projects must be completed and a final report submitted by March 31, 2010.

All funding recipients are required to acknowledge the support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador by including the official logo in any printed or electronic materials, events or performances related to the activity. To obtain the logo for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, call (709) 729-7518.

• Application Form - Arts  

• Advance Payment Request Form

• Progress Report & Payment Request Form

• Final Report & Payment Request Form