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Now accepting applications!


Kajungiqsaut Grants is a funding initiative dedicated to supporting Inuit working in the arts. Co-developed in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, Kajungiqsaut Grants are accessible, culturally relevant funding that support Inuit creatives to pursue their many and multi-faceted ambitions - especially first-time applicants. Kajungiqsaut (which translates to: “encouragement to pursue aspirations”) values self-determination, skills development, and the crucial time needed to dream, grow, and create throughout an individual’s journey in the arts. 

Running annually from September to February, three funding streams offer grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to artists of all disciplines and career levels. The Inuit Art Foundation is proud to support Inuit creatives through Kajungiqsaut Grants and strongly encourages applicants from any stage in their artistic careers to apply!

 
 
 


Funding Streams

Sutaarutit (To Gain Material)
Deadlines are subject to change.

Getting tools and materials can be one the first challenges artists face to creating new work. Sutaarutit provides funding for artists to support these purchases. Grants of $500 or $1,000 are available and emerging artists are strongly encouraged to apply. 

NEW: Sutaarutit is open to artists from all provinces and territories (now also including Ontario!) and operates on a rolling deadline. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis from September 2026 to February 2027 or until funds run out. Applications will be assessed every 6 weeks following four deadlines:

  • Deadline 1: Friday, Oct 16, 2026

  • Deadline 2: Friday, Nov 27, 2026

  • Deadline 3: Friday, Jan 8, 2027

  • Deadline 4: Friday, Feb 19, 2027

Apply Now

If you are a visual artist living in Ontario, we highly encourage you to also apply to the Ontario Arts Council’s Indigenous Visual Artist Materials Grant, for which the IAF acts as a recommender. Your application should be for different expenses than your Sutaarutit application. If you need any assistance or have any questions about applying, we are here to help!

Iniqarvik (To Have Space)
Applications are currently closed, but will reopen in January. Deadlines are subject to change.

All artists need room to breathe, time to think and experiment. Iniqarvik provides Inuit creatives from all disciplines the financial support for small to medium-scale activities with a focus on learning, experimentation, and development. Particularly useful for artists seeking to: develop ideas further, test things out, practice or learn new skills, reignite play in their art practice, and more. Proposals from all disciplines will be considered for grants of $3,500 or $5,000.

Turaagaq (Vision)
Applications are currently closed, but will reopen in October. Deadlines are subject to change.

Turaagaq is designed for the delivery of large-scale activities that are focused and refined. Best suited for established artists or curators who want to: produce a well-planned project or body of work, impart skills or knowledge to others, exhibit work, and more. Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate artistic vision, clear outcomes, and/or community engagement over those with a commercial* focus. Proposals from all disciplines will be considered for grants of $10,000 or $15,000.
*Activities conducted with the goal of making a profit through selling work.

 


Grant Stream Guide
Check out our Grant Stream Guide to decide which grant stream you should apply to!


Grant Stream Guide
 


Eligible Activities

Sutaarutit

The following activities are eligible: 


  • Purchasing artistic materials and supplies, including hunting tools for gathering natural materials
  • Travel costs for gathering natural materials
  • Delivery costs for transporting or shipping artistic materials and supplies
Iniqarvik

Activities can include, but are not limited to: 

  • Creation of artworks
  • Experimenting with a new medium
  • Creative residencies
  • Practical or curatorial research
  • Training or mentorship opportunities to develop artistic skills
  • Renting workspace
  • Marketing artwork to presenters or audiences
  • Develop a website or portfolio
  • Participating in arts events such as art fairs or pop-ups
  • Publishing or self-publishing written materials such as novels, essays, poetry, zines, etc.
Turaagaq

Activities can include, but are not limited to: 

  • Creation of artworks
  • Creative residencies
  • Facilitating workshops or skill-sharing opportunities
  • Exhibiting artwork
  • Publishing or self-publishing written materials such as novels, essays, poetry, zines, etc.

 

Applicant Eligibility
 

This program is open to Inuit who are actively working in the arts. We encourage applicants from all disciplines and career levels, especially first time applicants. Eligibility varies by funding stream and applicants must meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the application forms for full eligibility details.

NEW: Multiple Grants per Artist
Recipients may receive one grant from Sutaarutit, Iniqarvik, or Turaagaq, and because we have multiple deadlines for Sutaarutit, everyone can also receive one additional Sutaarutit grant within our program cycle (typically September through February) for a maximum of two grants per program cycle. If you apply for two Sutaarutit grants, they must be for different deadlines and different expenses.  

NEW: Grants from Two Program Cycles
If you received a Kajungiqsaut Grant in a previous cycle and have not yet completed and reported on your project you can still apply for a new grant in the current cycle even if the deadline comes before you expect to finish your earlier project. However, if you are approved for a grant in this cycle, any new funding will be held until all final reports from a previous program cycle are received.

 
 

 

Helpful Hints

We want to help you be successful in getting funding for your art practice! Here are some Helpful Hints to help you with writing your application. 

Helpful Hints

 

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted by email, mail, and via oral submission in English and Inuktut. All necessary translations will be provided by the IAF. See application forms for full details.

Applying for Kajungiqsaut Grants Workshop

 

Assessment

An all-Inuit Peer Assessment Committee whose members represent diverse fields and practices within the broader Inuit arts community will assess applications.

Sutaarutit Evaluation Criteria
Iniqarvik Evaluation Criteria
Turaagaq Evaluation Criteria

Past Peer Assessors

Interested in becoming a Peer Assessor for IAF programs? Apply today!

 


Reporting Requirements

NEW: As outlined in the Terms and Conditions, there is no time limit to when a recipient must complete their proposed project, however, once complete, a final report must be submitted within 3 months. While you will still be eligible to apply, in order to receive further grant funds a final report must be submitted..

In order to ensure the effectiveness of  our funding program, the IAF asks recipients to fill out a simple Final Report form which asks recipients to summarize their artistic activities, indicate how funds were used, and share feedback on how the IAF can make improvements to the Kajungiqsaut Grants program and process to better support Inuit creatives.

As an alternative, or in addition to the form, recipients also have the option to speak directly with a Program Officer to share their summary as a final report and provide feedback. Applicants are also welcome to contact us at any time with questions or feedback. 

Kyle Aleekuk
Program Officer & Artist Engagement Coordinator
[email protected]
647-498-7717 ext 115

 


Questions?
For more information and assistance please contact:

Kyle Aleekuk
Program Officer & Artist Engagement Coordinator
[email protected]
647-498-7717 ext 115

For inquiries or requests for support in Inuktut, translation or interpretation will be arranged. Please allow staff extra time to respond to queries or requests for support requiring translation or interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Past Recipients

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
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