Submissions open for Translation Arts Across Canada Funds

The Translation component of Arts across Canada funds activities linked to the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works into French, English or an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), or any other regional Canadian or Indigenous sign language for Canadian publication or presentation. In the case of sign language translation, sign language should be one of the languages of presentation.

Funding Information

• A contribution of up to $25,000 for each translation, plus an annual supplement for targeted costs.

Eligible Activities

• Your application can include one or more requests to:
  • translate Canadian-authored literary work into French, English or an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, for publication
  • translate and surtitle Canadian-authored dramatic work into French, English or an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, for presentation in Canada.
  • translate Canadian-authored dramatic work into American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), or any other regional or Indigenous sign language for presentation in Canada.

Ineligible Activities

• In addition to the criteria set out in the applicant profiles, the following activities and expenses are not eligible for grants from the Canada Council:
  • activities proposed by someone under 18 years old
  • activities that are illegal according to the Criminal Code of Canada
  • artistic activities that are led by non-professionals (this does not apply to new and early career artists)
  • activities that are carried out to satisfy the course requirements of an educational institution
  • activities that directly support the delivery of an educational program or course
  • activities that are funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) (unless applying to a component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples)
  • self-publishing or author-subsidized publishing of literary works (unless applying to a component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples)
  • activities carried out by organizations that have not paid, or do not pay, fees or royalties to artists according the standards of the arts practice or sector
  • fundraising activities
  • capital expenditures, unless explicitly eligible
  • contests and competitions (including prizes and awards), except practices in:
    • powwow
    • hip-hop and urban arts – such as street dance battles, poetry slams, etc.
  • any expenses incurred due to COVID-19-related measures, including quarantine expenses
  • contributions to endowment funds

Eligible Expenses

• Costs related to translation and subtitling, based on the standard translation rates for your region. Annual Supplement costs for literary publishers only, including:
  • up to $1,500 per year for reading fees for prospective titles (from a freelance professional reader)
  • up to $2,500 per year for bilingual editing (from a freelance professional editor)
  • up to $2,000 per title (to a maximum of 8 titles) for promotional expenses for translated published works supported by this component
• Annual Supplement costs for sign language translations only:
  • Up to $2,500 per title for video documentation expenses for translated works supported by this component.

Ineligible Expenses

• Standard promotional costs such as catalogues or newsletter listings and web pages are not eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

• Types of potential applicants to this component include:
  • literary publishers
  • theatre and multidisciplinary groups and collectives
  • theatre companies and dramaturgical organizations
  • multidisciplinary organizations
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups or collectives
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations
  • Deaf and disability arts organizations
  • Deaf and disability arts groups and collectives.

For more information, visit Canada Council for the Arts.