queer arts fund

The Queer Arts Fund (QaF) was created to support Queer artists across Nova Scotia, through the distribution of Micro-Grants. While this initiative has been in the works for awhile, the recent cut to Arts and Culture funding in Nova Scotia further highlighted the need for this fund.

Inspired by the “Taste For Life” fundraiser, organized by AIDS organizations, the QaF will work with local Queer-owned businesses to host a dinner event in November 2026. Tickets from this event will go towards the QaF.

HOW CAN I HELP?

  • A dinner event (Eat Your Arts Out) is being organized in November 2026. Queer-owned restaurants/cafes etc. can join the list of Restaurant Partners. Tickets are sold to each event with entertainment provided at each venue. Entertainment could be trivia, kareokee, music etc.

  • If you are a Queer-owned business, you could join the list of Business Partners. These partners are donating $1 towards the QaF from a particular item sold that day in their store.

Other ways to get involved.

  • You can donate a particular item towards our silent auction

  • You can make a monetary donation to the QaF (anything over $20 will recieve a tax receipt)

If you are interested in being involved, click below and sign up today.

Restaurant Partner
Business Partner

WHERE DOES THE FUNDS GO?

The funds raised for the QaF are divided as follows:

  • $10 Tickets will be sold at each Restaurant Partner, with $5 put towards the creation of Micro-Grants, and the remaining $5 going towards Page1 Theatre’s inQubator Program, which develops new Queer work from local artists.

  • ALL money collected from the sale of itmes from our Business Partners will be put towards the Micro-Grants.

WHAT ARE THE MICRO GRANTS?

Micro-Grants will be available to Queer Artists in Nova Scotia looking for support for a current project.

  • A panel of three individuals will select the recipients

  • A minimum of three recipients will be chosen; 1 in HRM, 1 outside HRM, 1 in CBRM

HOW DO I APPLY

Artists looking for support will submit an application during the OutFest submission period. Submissions will be reviewed in November with recipients chosen in Decemeber 2026.

  • Funds will be allocated to projects not involved in OutFest

  • Currently we are supporting arts-based projects (music, theatre, dance etc).