Discovery Grants program

Overview of the Discovery Grants program program:

Through the Invent & Adapt program, the EAC invests in organizations that are preparing, planning, and implementing work that is centered on reimagining and retooling an organization’s future, and/​or addressing the needs of Edmonton’s various arts network and disciplinary capacities. This may take the form of technical assistance and planning, the re-imagining of systems, programs, and practices, the implementation of well-planned strategies around growth or contraction, the management of transitions and successions, or to respectfully bring an organization to a close.

Benefits of the Discovery Grants program program:

• Organizations may request up to $30,000, no more than once annually.
• Extended projects may be supported by multiple Invent & Adapt investments in subsequent years.
• The EAC may also contribute in-kind to Invent & Adapt projects via staff expertise or services.

Eligibility criteria of the Discovery Grants program program:

• Eligible applicants must (all apply):
• Be a non-profit organization with a primary arts or festival mandate or have an existing support or investment relationship in good standing with the EAC
• Have an up-to-date profile in the EACs Online Portal
• Not be in arrears with the City of Edmonton (as per City Policy C211)
• Eligible initiatives must be:
• Relevant to the applicant organizations mandates, goals, and aspirations, or;
• Relevant to addressing the needs of Edmontons various arts networks and disciplinary capacities,
• Based on thoughtful and considered changes including (but not limited to):
• Development of new plans, strategies, or processes
• Implementation of new technology
• Managing transitions and successions
• Developing and structuring partnerships
• Organizational closure
• Time specific, with a defined start and end date.
• Projects involving more than one eligible applicant, or on behalf of a network:
• May be submitted by one applicant on behalf of a group
• OR
• May be submitted by more than one applicant with separate applications towards shared outcomes
• Must include documentation and formal agreements that define the nature of collaboration and shared work