Bob Bunting Bursary

Joan Willingham

An annual bursary supporting Indigenous students in creative arts programs.

Published by G Paul · last checked August 31, 2026

Next deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Level

College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Trades, Certificate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Indigenous affiliation
Enrollment in a post-secondary institution
Study in a creative arts program (e.g., Drama, Visual Arts, Film, Music, Fashion, or Dance)
Demonstrated financial need

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Joan Willingham to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student pursuing a path in the creative arts, such as music, dance, or visual arts, and you have experienced financial hardship. Deadlines come around three times a year on August 1, November 1 and February 1, so aim for whichever one is next. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through an online portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Joan Willingham how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Joan Willingham during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Joan Willingham whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you have any Indigenous affiliation and are attending a post-secondary institution at any level of study. You must be studying in the creative arts, which includes fields such as Drama/Theatre Arts, Visual and Fine Arts, Film/Video Production, Music, Fashion Design, and Dance. Additionally, you must show demonstrated financial need.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Open to college, undergraduate, graduate, trades or certificate students
Studying Creative Arts, Drama/Theatre Arts, Visual and Fine Arts, Film/Video Production, Music, Fashion Design or Dance

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

StrategyAvoid applying only once. Since there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), you should track which one aligns best with your school's tuition billing cycle.
RealismAvoid assuming the award is guaranteed based on identity alone. Because this is a bursary based on financial need and specific fields of study, you should have other funding sources lined up while you wait for a decision.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on November 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Check the award's official page for the citizenship rules.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 31, 2026