Access Support is a supplement to a project grant that funds individual applicants who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness, as well as groups and organizations who want to increase the accessibility to their presentation/ production for audience and/or participants. This supplementary grant provides a contribution towards costs for specific services and supports required to carry out a project funded by Arts NS.

Please note, that to receive this supplementary grant, your associated project grant must first be successful. Following this, your Access Support application will be assessed by a program officer.

Application Deadlines: Submit an Access Support request with your associated project application. See specific program guidelines for deadline.

Please note that the Arts Equity Funding Initiative and the Mi’kmaq Arts Program have separate procedures for Access Support funds. More information can be found in the Arts Equity Funding Initiative and Mi’kmaq Arts Program Guidelines. 

Levels of Funding

Up to $1000 for individuals and up to $2500 for groups/organizations

Eligibility

Individuals must:

  • self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness
  • be eligible to Arts NS programs

Groups and organizations must:

  • be eligible to Arts NS programs

Eligible expenses:

A contribution towards costs associated with disability-related supports and services required to carry out your activities, including (but not limited to):

  • sign language interpretation
  • personal care attendant or support worker
  • a transcriber or specialized editor
  • personal project coordinator or assistant
  • a guide or visual describer
  • converting material into accessible formats
  • rental of specialized equipment needed for personal access or support

Ineligible expenses include:

  • major capital costs (e.g. purchase of a wheelchair, vehicle, computer, renovations, etc.)
  • supports and services required for daily living (e.g. home care, regular therapy, medication etc.)
  • services and supports that are not directly tied to your funded activities
  • services and supports for which you are already receiving funding from another agency
  • expenses incurred before your associated grant start date or after the submission of your final report

Application Requirements

Applications must be delivered with associated project grant.

Application Assessment

To receive this supplementary grant, your associated project grant must first be successful. Following this, your Access Support application will be assessed by a program officer based on:

  • a reasonable budget
  • how directly the support is tied to carrying out the activities in your associated project grant
  • funds available

Please note, if your Access Support application is successful, you might not be awarded the full amount requested.

Notification of results

The applicant will be notified about their Access Support application in their associated project grant letter.

Conditions of Funding

If your application is successful, payment will be released with the project grant after the signed Terms and Conditions agreement is returned. A separate final report for this supplementary grant is not required; instead you must report on the Access Support funding in the final report submitted for the associated grant.

Contact

You are encouraged to speak with the Program Officer responsible for your associated grant before submitting an application.

 

 Support4Culture

Arts Nova Scotia acknowledges Support4Culture for funding this program.