The KAC Newsletter | February '26 Issue 1

City Council Approves Additional CKAF Investment, Letters Between US by KHAC, Upcoming Events, and Job, Opportunity, & Grant Board Highlights!

February 01, 2026

KAC NEWS & UPDATES

Kingston City Council Approves $100,000 One-Time Additional Investment Into City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF)

Last week, Kingston City Council voted to amend the 2026 City Budget to include a one-time increased investment to the City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF) in the amount of $100,000. 

The $100,000 investment will be added to the CKAF 2026 allocation and distributed directly into our local arts sector through CKAF grants. In combination with the base investment of $612,790 and returned funds and interest from previous years, this brings the total funding available through CKAF 2026 grants to over $738,000 — an increase of 20% from 2025. 

The Dragon of Wantley - Kingston Baroque Consort. Photo courtesy of the Isabel Bader Centre

The amendment, moved by Councillor Ridge and seconded by Councillor Amos, with support from Councillor Cinanni and Councillor Chaves, was approved unanimously at the conclusion of the City Council Budget Meeting on Tuesday, January 20th. The one-time investment is allocated from the Working Fund Reserve, meaning there is no effect on tax rates for Kingston residents.

“The City of Kingston has a strong history of supporting the arts and culture sector, to the benefit of our civic identity, local economy, and community wellbeing,” says Nicole Daniels, Executive Director of the Kingston Arts Council.  

“The caliber and volume of creative experiences Kingston has to offer are essential to residents' quality of life and at the heart of Kingston’s identity. In the face of looming threats to the arts sector at the provincial and national level, this investment is an important step in sustaining the industry — the organizations, the festivals, and the artists who make Kingston a great place to live and to visit. Amidst a challenging economic landscape and with the pressures the City continues to face to maintain services and respond to community needs, we are deeply grateful for this support.”

With the conclusion of the CKAF Review and the approval of the new CKAF Framework in 2025, this investment in 2026 will help ensure that CKAF is accessible and inclusive, supports Kingston artists, increases opportunity for arts programming and community engagement, helps build capacity and resiliency of arts organizations, and encourages collaboration and partnerships. 

Virginia Maria - Chinese Medicine performing, courtesy of KPP Concerts

For nineteen years, CKAF has bolstered and sustained Kingston's arts industry — at this exciting moment in the program's history, we are positioned to lead with more accessible, forward-thinking, and supportive granting practices, to the benefit of all Kingstonians. The 2026 funding investment will enable us to launch four grant streams in 2026: Operating Grants, Festival Grants, Project Grants, and Creation & Development Grants. 

POCKET GALLERY

ON DISPLAY: Letters Between Us by Kingston Hidden Artist Collective

Date: 19 January - 13 March 2026
Location: Kingston Arts Council | Unit 115, 370 King St W, Kingston

Letters Between Us is an interactive exhibition by the Kingston Hidden Artist Collective (KHAC) that invites a quiet, two-way exchange between artists and the wider Katarokwi/Kingston public.

Displayed alongside original artwork by KHAC members are two glass jars that form the centre of the exhibition. One contains anonymous handwritten notes from KHAC artists. These messages share things the artists wish the public knew about them, or words they have carried privately, including reflections, memories, truths, and moments of humanity. The second jar invites visitors to respond by leaving their own handwritten message of encouragement, reflection, or gratitude.

Letters Between Us emerges from a growing interest among KHAC artists in sharing their stories in their own words, alongside the very real barriers created by stigma and fear of judgment. By offering an anonymous platform, the exhibition enables artists to speak honestly, while inviting viewers to slow down, listen, and respond with intention.

Through artwork, writing, and shared reflection, Letters Between Us centres dignity, trust, and connection, and asks what becomes possible when artists feel seen and what responsibility we carry, as a public, when we are invited to listen.

EVENTS

ReelOut
Date: 29 January - 7 February 2026

This year’s festival theme is “Exploring Space” as many of our official selections touch on what it means to hold, save, and/or create spaces for communities that need them.

We are showcasing over 65 exciting Narrative and Documentary feature-length and short films from Canada and 15 other countries. While all of the films are about 2SLGTQ lives (real and imagined), our intended audience is anyone who enjoys independent film and media. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the talents behind the films at many of our audience engagements directly after the screenings.

Union Gallery x Modern Fuel x The Agnes
Date: 3 February 2026

Led by artist Kyara Andrews this workshop is your introduction to the creative software of Canva.

Learn how Canva can help you create clean, professional-looking graphics for your art practice — without the complexity of Photoshop or the need for a design degree.

Within the workshop you will explore time-saving tools, ready-made templates, and create a simple graphic together to show just how easy (and fun) design can be.

There are always plenty of arts events happening in Kingston and the surrounding area. Check out our Arts Events Calendar to view our full list of upcoming events!

JOBS

Marketing Assistant (Kingston Destination Group)
Remuneration: $24.00/hourly
Deadline: 1 February 2026

Tour Guide (Great Lakes Museum)
Remuneration: $18.50/hourly
Deadline: 13 February 2026 | 5:00 PM

Program Assistant (Great Lakes Museum)
Remuneration: $18.50/hourly
Deadline: 13 February 2026 | 5:00 PM

Collections Assistant (Great Lakes Museum)
Remuneration: $18.50/hourly
Deadline: 13 February 2026 | 5:00 PM

Museum Assistant (Murney Tower)
Remuneration: $18.00/hourly
Deadline: 15 February 2026

Onboard: Tour Guide (Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises & Trolleys)
Remuneration: $19.05/hourly
Deadline: 8 April 2026

School Photographer (Edge Imaging)
Remuneration: $19.00 - $21.00/hourly
Deadline: Until Filled

Upper Strings Teaching Artist - Part-Time (Sistema Kingston)
Remuneration: $30-$35/hour
Deadline: Until Filled

Choir Teaching Artist - Part Time (Sistema Kingston)
Remuneration: $30-$35/hourly
Deadline: Until Filled

OPPORTUNITIES

Call for Submissions:
2026 TK Fringe Festival (Theatre Kingston)
Deadline: 20 February 2026 | 6:00 PM

Call for Artists:
Permanent Outdoor Artwork (Toppling Monuments - Queen's University)
Deadline: 22 February 2026

Call for Artists:
THIRDSPACE Emerging Artist Residency (OCAD University)
Deadline: 2 April 2026

Call for Artists:
Get Sketchy: An Urban Sketch Carousel (Sumera Khan)
Deadline: Until filled

Call for Volunteers:
Volunteer (Kingston Canadian Film Festival)
Deadline: Until Filled

GRANTS

Below is a snapshot of upcoming grant deadlines. To view our more comprehensive and fully navigable database of grant opportunities at the local, provincial, and national levels, please visit the KAC Grants Board!

Theatre Projects (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: 5 February 2026

Winter Gift Competition (Davies Charitable Foundation)
Deadline: 11 February 2026

Feature Films - Marketing Program (TeleFilm Canada)
Deadline: 18 February 2026

Dance Projects (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: 12 March 2026

Media Arts Projects (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: 13 March 2026

SUPPORT THE KAC

Love the arts? So do we!

When you support the Kingston Arts Council, you’re helping empower an arts sector that drives innovation, fuels the local economy, and enriches the lives of everyone in Katarokwi/Kingston.

Your donation – whether one-time, monthly, or annual – enables us to deliver impactful programs and services that support the artists and creatives shaping our cultural industry.

As a registered charity, we’ll provide a charitable tax receipt for your contribution. Join us in building a thriving, sustainable arts sector.

THE KINGSTON ARTS COUNCIL IS PROUDLY FUNDED BY