CANVAS Grants: Eligibility + Review Criteria

CANVAS awards a minimum of $1 million annually in grants to North American nonprofit organizations that elevate Jewish arts and culture.

CANVAS funding cycles occur twice a year; once in the spring (with awards made by June); and once in the fall (with awards made by December). All funding recommendations are approved by the CANVAS Executive Committee, made up of CANVAS Funding Partners.

Historically, CANVAS grant amounts are between $10,000–$75,000, varying by grant category and competitiveness of the application. Frequently, there is a 1:1 challenge or matching grant component to CANVAS awards, intended to allow grantees to leverage CANVAS funding to garner additional support for their work.

Grant opportunities are open for general operating support (if the organization’s overall activities/programs fit the review criteria), as well as for project support on a case-by-case basis.

The following do not qualify for CANVAS funding:

  • Direct aid to individual artists or projects.
  • Capital and/or building campaigns
  • Fundraising events and/or mass mailings
  • Endowment funds
  • Support to cover an existing deficit

Review Criteria:

Networks + Emerging Networks

CANVAS invests in networks of artists and arts professionals exploring Jewish rituals, themes, tradition, history, and culture. We seek to support organizations that bring these groups together in a sustained way, and provide community, learning, and professional opportunities. We measure the success of these organizations based on the strength of the community, the value to its members, the success and recognition of the work of its members, the leadership of the organization, and its financial stability.



Proposals will demonstrate how an organization and/or project:

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				


    

  • Acts as a hub of activity for creatives
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  • Provides education/funding/other connections for those creatives.
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  • Connects creatives to one another.
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  • Connects creatives to distribution channels, sources of revenue, continued education, or other resources.
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  • Ideally, provides services to creatives in an ongoing way.
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  • Possesses the ability to develop, nurture, connect, and support individual cultural creatives and/or Jewish cultural institutions with a focus on the following: 
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    • Ideas or themes inspired by Jewish religion, history, tradition, ritual, or culture.
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    • Prioritizing artistic excellence worthy of (inter)national recognition.
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    • Meaningful engagement with the Jewish community (audiences and/or distribution networks).
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    • Meaningful engagement with the secular community (audiences and/or distribution networks).
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  • Maintains financial stability.
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Review Criteria: Media

			

				
				
				
				
				
CANVAS supports media organizations interested in more fully exploring modern creativity informed by Jewish ritual, tradition, history, and culture. Grants support media outlets to elevate and expand the volume and sophistication of coverage about Jewish creativity, and elevate the perception (among Jewish and mainstream audiences) of Jewish artists who are creating noteworthy, original, and consistently excellent work. Other goals include more imaginative presentations of contemporary work, such as interactive reporting, multimedia, and public events. 




Proposals will demonstrate how an organization and/or project:

			

				
				
				
				
				
    

  • Expands the volume and access of Jewish arts and culture coverage.
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  • Improves the quality, sophistication, and diversity of Jewish arts and culture coverage.
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  • Elevates the perception (among Jewish and mainstream audiences) of Jewish artists who are creating noteworthy, original, and consistently excellent work.
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  • Increases the number of artists, curators, gallerists, producers, distributors and/or funders who take note of highlighted work.
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  • Influences the field of arts and culture.
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  • Maintains financial stability.
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Review Criteria: Distribution

			

				
				
				
				
				
CANVAS Distribution Grants support presenting organizations and/or opportunities that foster the myriad ways that audiences come into contact with the work of contemporary Jewish artists and cultural creativity—through stages, screens, digital downloads, museums, public spaces, programs, and more.




Proposals will demonstrate how an organization and/or project:

			

				
				
				
				
				
    

  • Provides consistent access to contemporary Jewish arts and culture through performances, exhibitions, presentations, digital platforms, or other formats that connect audiences with artists and artworks.
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  • Provides meaningful opportunities for engagement with the Jewish and/or secular community.
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  • Prioritizes the quality, sophistication, and variety of work presented, including opportunities to celebrate the diversity, complexity, and intersectionality of Jewish tradition, ritual, history, and experience.
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  • Elevates (right-sizes) the perception among Jewish and/or mainstream audiences of artists who are creating noteworthy, original, and consistently excellent work that explores Jewish ritual, history, culture, tradition, and experience.
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  • Demonstrates the ability to effectively document programs and initiatives, market to audiences, generate engagement, and to measure this over time. 
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  • Demonstrates good financial health and a clear plan for stability and/or growth.
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  • Provides evidence of direct, fair compensation to artists or creatives.
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Competitive proposals will also include at least one of the following objectives:




    

  • Build capacity and strengthen the Jewish arts and culture field through knowledge-sharing and resources.
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  • Provide professional development opportunities and support for artists, both emerging and established, to develop their craft and advance their careers.
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  • Prioritize reach, influence, and/or meaningful engagement with audiences on regional or national levels.
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  • Advance Jewish arts and culture within the broader contemporary arts and culture field.
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  • Reach underserved or historically marginalized audiences or creatives in the Jewish arts and culture field.
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