Open
Source verified July 31, 2026
Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program
Funding for Ontario public art collections
Latest source updateLast Update: July 31, 2026Latest change: The program materials now show the 2026 guidelines and application form, with the application deadline updated to August 14, 2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 31, 2026
Latest change: The program materials now show the 2026 guidelines and application form, with the application deadline updated to August 14, 2026.
Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program 2026 deadline update
The program materials now show the 2026 guidelines and application form, and the application deadline is now August 14, 2026. The supporting documents listed with the program were also refreshed for the 2026 cycle, including the guidelines, application form, and budget files for the development and acquisition streams.
Funding available
$ 25,000
Deadline
Open
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program supports public art galleries and museums in Ontario through acquisition and development funding. It fosters permanent collections, Canadian visual art appreciation, community engagement, and collection-related education or outreach activities.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Acquisition of works of art by living Canadian artists or historical works by Canadian artists
- Acquisition of Canadian works of art commissioned, purchased from a collection, or on consignment from an artist or a Canadian art dealer
- Development initiatives that increase public knowledge of collecting or a gallery or museum’s permanent collection
- Activities that make a gallery or museum’s permanent collection more accessible to the public
- Curatorial research
- Professional development opportunities for gallery staff in collection management best practices
- Education and outreach programs, including touring of a gallery or museum’s permanent collection
Documents Needed
- Application Form
- Application Checklist
- Profile of Institution
- Justification for Acquisition Grant or Development Grant
- Acquisition Policy and Committee Members
- Acquisition or Development Project Budget
- Support Material
- Financial Statements, from most recent completed year end
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Public art galleries or museums based in Ontario
- Organizations eligible to apply to the Ontario Arts Council's Ontario Arts Operating Fund (OAOF) – Visual Arts category
- Registered charities under the Income Tax Act
Who is not eligible
- Agencies of the provincial government
- Agencies of the federal government
Eligible expenses
- The purchase price of works of art
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- The conservation and restoration of works of art
- Ongoing administrative or operating expenses of the gallery or museum
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- The organization’s mandate and vision.
- Activities which embody the organization’s mandate and vision.
- For Acquisition Grants, the relevance of the work being acquired to the organization’s mandate and permanent collection; a stated commitment to collecting and exhibiting Canadian art; and how the organization provides Canadian artists with the opportunity to present work or undertake professional development.
- For Acquisition Grants, how the work or works will be promoted, exhibited, and used in the gallery’s commitment to engagement with local and web-based communities, and how the community will have access to the newly acquired work or works.
- For Development Grants, the project’s relevance to the institution’s mandate and vision; activities which demonstrate a commitment to engage their local community via art education and other outreach activities; sustained support via partnerships, volunteers, sponsorships and regular sources of funding; the relationship to the community and audience; and how the project will be promoted, and/or how the community will be given access to the activity or resources created through the grant.
How to apply
- Application forms are available on-line at www.oafdn.ca.
- We will accept applications no later than August 14, 2026.
- Applications will be accepted via email to : aboyd@oafdn.ca.
- Materials can be sent as email attachments or through file sharing programs like Dropbox or WeTransfer.
- Check to ensure your application is complete and accurate.
- An authorized organization representative (Head of Organization, Head of Artistic / Programming, or Head of Administration) must complete the certification section of the application in order for your application to be considered for funding.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed by an Ontario Arts Council jury made up of artists, other arts professionals, and volunteers with direct experience working with public art galleries or museums in their communities.
- Successful applicants must submit an Acquisition Report for each work purchased to receive payment of an approved Acquisition Grant.
- Successful applicants must submit a final report to the Ontario Arts Foundation by the end of the organization’s fiscal year in which the grant is made for Development Grants.
- Successful applicants have 12 months from the notification of a successful application to make the acquisition.
- If an approved acquisition is not made within the 12-month period, the grant will not be made.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted by email to aboyd@oafdn.ca.
- Materials may be sent as email attachments or through file sharing programs like Dropbox or WeTransfer.
- Applications are accepted no later than August 14, 2026.
- Successful applicants are eligible to receive one Acquisition Grant or one Development Grant every year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program Program
What is the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program?
The Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program supports public art galleries and museums in Ontario through acquisition and development funding. It fosters permanent collections, Canadian visual art appreciation, community engagement, and collection-related education or outreach activities.
How much funding can be received?
Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program program?
To be eligible for the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program program, you must:
Ontario public art gallery or museum based in Ontario eligible to apply to the Ontario Arts Council's Ontario Arts Operating Fund (OAOF) – Visual Arts category
Registered charity under the Income Tax Act and incorporated entity governed by a board of directors or advisory board solely responsible for the organization
In continuous operation for at least two years, providing professional artistic programming, and able to submit verification of financial results for the last completed fiscal year with the application
What expenses are eligible under Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program?
Acquisition of works of art by living Canadian artists or historical works by Canadian artists
Acquisition of Canadian works of art commissioned, purchased from a collection, or on consignment from an artist or a Canadian art dealer
Development initiatives that increase public knowledge of collecting or a gallery or museum’s permanent collection
Activities that make a gallery or museum’s permanent collection more accessible to the public
Curatorial research
Professional development opportunities for gallery staff in collection management best practices
Education and outreach programs, including touring of a gallery or museum’s permanent collection
Who can I contact for more information about the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program?
You can contact Ontario Arts Foundation by email at aboyd@oafdn.ca.
Where is the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program available?
The Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program is a Grant and Funding