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 a while, the recent cut to Arts and Culture funding in Nova Scotia further highlighted the need for this fund.

HOW WILL FUNDS BE RAISED?

Inspired by the “Taste For Life” fundraiser, organized by AIDS organizations, we will be working with local Queer-owned restaurant/food service businesses, to host a dinner event - Eat Your Arts Out - in November 2026. Each participating restaurnt/venue will host small-scale events, with tickets from this event going towards the QaF.

We are also working with non-food service businesses who will donate a portion of their sales from a particular product sold that day.

HOW CAN I HELP?

  • With 7 Restautants / Venues confirmed, we are not looking to add more venues at this time.

However. . .

  • 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 November. 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.

SILENT AUCTION
Business Partner

WHERE DOES THE FUNDS GO?

The funds raised for the QaF are divided as follows:

  • Tickets will be sold at each Restaurant Partner, with 50% put towards the creation of Micro-Grants, and the remaining 50% going towards Page1 Theatre’s inQubator Program, which develops new Queer work from local artists.

  • ALL money collected from the sale of items 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 FOR A MICRO GRANT?

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).

More information coming soon!