CANVAS Amplify Grants FAQs
The Open Call for CANVAS Amplify Grants is now closed, please stay tuned for future opportunities.
A recording of our first info session held on May 8 can be found here.
Are the Amplify Grants the same as CANVAS's other grant programs? How do I apply for Network/Media/Distribution Grants?
The Amplify Grant program is a new initiative, open to applications from any qualifying organization, and separate from CANVAS’s other grant programs, which are by invitation only. To submit your work for consideration for CANVAS Network, Media, or Distribution grants, please see this page.
Do applicants need to identify as Jewish (or support artists who identify as Jewish) to apply or to receive CANVAS funding?
While CANVAS is dedicated to elevating the Jewish arts and culture ecosystem, applicants do not need to identify as Jewish, or support artists who identify as Jewish, to apply or receive funds.
CANVAS supports qualifying organizations whose creative work and/or proposed project explores Jewish identity, themes, rituals, traditions, history, culture, or experience.
Does the proposed project need to be advertised, marketed, or explicitly identified as Jewish when produced in order to qualify for the CANVAS Amplify Grant?
No. A proposal for the CANVAS Amplify Grant, however, should clearly outline how the project and/or artists involved explore Jewish themes in their work, should clearly detail the project’s audience, and should specify how the project will be marketed and reach those audiences.
If the project presents Jewish artists who aren’t necessarily exploring Jewish themes in the proposed work to be presented, do we qualify?
The CANVAS Amplify Grant is designed to encourage telling Jewish stories of all kinds. All proposals will be evaluated based on the review criteria, which includes opportunities to celebrate the diversity, complexity, and intersectionality of Jewish identity, themes, rituals, traditions, history, culture, or experience in the work presented.
If I am partnering with another organization on my proposed project, who should apply?
One eligible 501c3 organization–the organization who is presenting or distributing the proposed work–should serve as the lead applicant to submit a Statement of Inquiry to CANVAS.
The lead applicant should be prepared with the resources to submit all requested materials. They should also be able to demonstrate that the amount of funding requested from CANVAS does not exceed 20% of the organization’s total operating budget.
Do any organizational partners for my proposed project need to be committed by the time I submit my proposal?
A project with committed organizational partners will likely be more competitive within the review criteria than one with prospective partners. Changes to organizational partners during the application review process, or after receiving an award, are expected to reflect new partners with a similarly aligned mission/goals/reach to the original proposal.
If I have already received funding from CANVAS, am I eligible to submit to the CANVAS Amplify Grant?
Any qualifying organization is eligible to apply for the CANVAS Amplify Grant, including organizations who have previously received funding through CANVAS. If partnering with other organizations, the organization who is presenting or distributing the proposed work should submit the application.
We do encourage previous CANVAS grantees to consider partnering with an organization who has not been a grantee to serve as a lead applicant on a proposal. Previous status as a grantee will not be considered as a part of the review criteria.
Who will be reviewing the grant applications?
CANVAS always assembles panels composed of peer arts leaders, field experts, and funding partners to review proposals. Panels use the grant criteria to evaluate all factors of an application in determining finalists. Finalists will be invited to an interview and to submit additional materials as part of the evaluation process.
Does CANVAS have restrictions on cultural expression, or on what it will or will not fund?
In addition to the Eligibility Criteria outlined here, all prospective applicants should review the Core Values of the Collaborative Fund to be aware of CANVAS principles and guidelines.
Are there any restrictions on the formats, genres, or art disciplines that CANVAS supports?
We are interested in a wide range of genres and forms for the presentation and distribution of contemporary Jewish art and creativity. This may include disciplines such as visual art, performance, dance, performing arts, music and literary arts, storytelling, film, poetry, culinary arts, comedy, social practice, material culture, public art, comics, graphic novels, mass media, and more. We encourage creative, expansive ideas that bring contemporary Jewish artistry to new audiences and to unlikely places.
How many Amplify Grants will CANVAS award this round?
While there is no specific limit on the number of awards to be made, CANVAS expects to award approximately ten Amplify Grants through this new program.
How does CANVAS define presentation or distribution to “broad and diverse audiences”?
Organizations should demonstrate a track record of public programming that engages audiences from diverse backgrounds: ethnic, economic, religious, etc. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate reach, influence, or meaningful engagement with audiences on regional, national, or North American levels.
In addition, the CANVAS Amplify Grant names opportunities for engagement with mainstream/secular arts spaces, for cross-cultural connection and dialogue, and for creative collaboration between Jewish and non-Jewish communities as objectives that will be most competitive in the review process.
Will CANVAS staff review draft materials in the submission process?
CANVAS will hold informational sessions on May 8 and May 21 to help answer any proposal-related questions, but will not be able to review draft materials before submission.
Sign up to attend one of the Amplify Grant information sessions here.
If I have any questions before submitting, who do I reach out to?
The CANVAS team will hold informational sessions about the CANVAS Amplify Grants on May 8 and May 21; these are great opportunities to ask your questions. You can sign up to attend the May 21st informational session here, or review the recording of the May 8th informational session here.
You may contact grants@bycanvas.org with other questions. Due to an anticipated high volume of proposals, we thank you in advance for your patience with our response.
It all sounds great. How do I apply?
To apply for a CANVAS Amplify Grant, click here! Submissions are due on June 6, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
