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  5. Digital Generator
  6. Digital Generator Stream 2 – Video

Digital Generator Stream 2

Video description 

Thinking about applying to Digital Generator Stream 2? Are you ready to transform your operations and increase your digital capacity? In this video, we’ll guide you through the program guidelines, eligibility, and evaluation criteria to help determine if this stream is right for your group, collective, or organization.

To learn more about Digital Generator Stream 2, check out the guidelines. 

If you’re looking for a toolkit to get started on your Digital Generator project, we have tools to help you assess your digital needs, build a digital strategy and work with a service provider. 

Publication date 

July 29, 2022 

Slide 1: Digital Generator – Stream 2 

Welcome to the Digital Generator – Stream 2. 

Slide 2: Introducing the Strategic Innovation Fund  

In this short video, we’re going to introduce and explain Stream 2 of the Digital Generator — an exciting component of our new Strategic Innovation Fund.   

But first, here’s a quick overview of the Fund so you can see where the Digital Generator fits in.   

The Strategic Innovation Fund aims to build a more inclusive, resilient, sustainable arts sector. It includes    

  • Three main components — Seed, Cultivate and Grow. and 
  • Two support components — the Digital Generator and Digital Greenhouse.

Now let’s turn the spotlight on those digital components.  

Slide 3: What do we mean by digital?  

First of all, what does it mean to “go digital” anyway?   

Well, maybe you’re trying to be more discoverable online.   

  • Or you want to generate new revenue streams?  
  • Or make better use of data?  
  • Could digital gaps be slowing you down? 

Going digital means using electronic tools, systems, devices and resources to address these kinds of questions, so that you can improve the way you work.   

Slide 4: Digital components of the Strategic Innovation Fund  

To support the digital transformation of the arts sector, the Strategic Innovation Fund offers two funding sources.  

  • The Digital Generator helps arts groups and organizations build digital capacity and transform their own operations  
  • And if you’re thinking bigger picture, the Digital Greenhouse helps individuals and organizations address sector-wide digital challenges. 

We’ll explore the Greenhouse in another video. If your focus is on your own operations, keep watching.

Slide 5: The Digital Generator (Stream 2): What you can do

The Digital Generator has 2 funding streams.  

  • Stream 1 helps you identify ways to work digitally 
  • Stream 2 helps you implement the Stream 1 recommendations.  

The recommendations that you will implement through Stream 2 should be from an external digital assessment, audit or plan that you hired a service provider to do.

An external consultant or expert can help you understand what your organization could do to meet your digital goals. After they complete a digital assessment, audit, or plan for your organization, Stream 2 will give you a grant to implement these recommendations. 

If you haven’t hired anyone to do this work for your organization yet, then you might want to think about applying to Stream 1 of the Digital Generator instead. 

For example, you can get up to $50, 000 to implement digital tools or solutions related to:

  • Online discoverability
  • E-commerce and digital distribution solutions 
  • Digital accessibility and standards compliance

Or other activities that an external expert might recommend you do based on their findings. 

Slide 6: The Digital Generator (Stream 2): What you can do

Or are you working on a shared digital solution with other organizations? You can apply for up to $100,000 for collaborative projects that benefit more than 1 organization.

For example, a theatre organization working with a dance company to customize software that will help both organizations operate efficiently could apply for up to $100,000 to implement this solution.

Slide 7: The Digital Generator (Stream 2): The fine print

To apply, you need to be an arts group, collective or organization with a validated Canada Council profile. 

You will need to provide a copy of the external assessment, audit, or plan that we mentioned earlier. 

If you are applying with a collaborative project, you will need to submit letters of engagement from your partners as well. 

There is no deadline.  

Keep in mind that this grant component is for expenses related to the implementation of recommendations. It is not for:   

  • Regular operating costs, including salaries of permanent staff 
  • Creating, producing, or programming artistic works 

Slide 8: Guidelines and resources

If you’re still not sure whether your project is a good fit for this grant component, visit our website. You’ll find:  

Slide 9: Contact us

If you still have questions, we want to hear from you!   

Please email us at digitalgenerator@canadacouncil.ca. Send us a few lines about your project and questions. We’re here to help!  

And keep an eye out for more videos with details about the other Strategic Innovation Fund grant components.