Indigenous Arts Projects

Q: How much funding can be received?

Indigenous Arts Projects Funds up to 15000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-10-15T23:59:59Z.

Q: Is the Indigenous Arts Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Indigenous Arts Projects is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous Arts Projects?

Indigenous Arts Projects is funded by Toronto Arts Council (TAO)

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Arts Projects?

You can contact Toronto Arts Council (TAO) by email at rupal@torontoarts.org or by phone at 416-392-6800.

Q: Where is the Indigenous Arts Projects available?

The Indigenous Arts Projects program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the Indigenous Arts Projects program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Indigenous Arts Projects program.

Last Update: August 18, 2025

Toronto, ON

Supports creation, development, and presentation of Indigenous arts projects

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000

Timeline

Closing date : October 15, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Indigenous Arts Projects grant provides up to $15,000 to support the creation, development, presentation, and sector advancement of arts projects led by Indigenous artists, collectives, and organizations in Toronto. Eligible activities include project development, artistic creation, exhibition and dissemination, and sector development initiatives within the Indigenous arts community.

Financing terms and conditions

Project Development grants: maximum of $3,000, which can cover up to 100% of project expenses in this category.
Creation grants: maximum of $10,000, which can cover up to 100% of project expenses in this category.
Exhibition, Presentation and Dissemination grants: maximum of $15,000; TAC will not fund 100% of the project—other revenue sources must be indicated.
Indigenous Arts Sector Development grants: maximum of $15,000; TAC will not fund 100% of the project—other revenue sources must be indicated.
Accessibility grants: up to $5,000 in addition to the main grant, specifically for accessibility-related project expenses.

Activities funded

Development and planning of new Indigenous arts projects, including initial research and relationship-building.
Creation of new works by Indigenous artists in any artistic discipline.
Exhibition, presentation, and dissemination of Indigenous artistic work to public audiences.
Organizing workshops, conferences, and events to advance Indigenous arts practices and support Indigenous artists.
Development of resources or toolkits to strengthen the Indigenous arts sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 14,500

Hosting a series of Indigenous beadwork workshops and exhibit

$ 14,500

Developing a digital toolkit for Indigenous theatre production

$ 12,000

Launching a podcast platform sharing Indigenous arts stories

$ 14,800

Creating a murals project led by Indigenous youth and Elders

$ 13,500

Organizing Indigenous artist professional development event series

$ 14,500

Curating an Indigenous film shorts showcase with post-viewing panels

Eligibility

The applicant must be an incorporated non-profit organization or an unincorporated collective operating on a non-profit basis.
The organization or collective must be artistically and financially led by an Indigenous person, or governed by a board with a majority (at least 51%) of Indigenous members.
The organization or collective must be based in the City of Toronto (a Post Office Box address is not sufficient).
The proposed project must take place in Toronto or, if outside Toronto, must yield direct benefit for Indigenous artists and communities in Toronto.
The project must support the creation, development, exhibition, presentation, dissemination, or sector development of Indigenous arts.

Who is eligible?

Indigenous-led not-for-profit organizations engaged in arts and cultural activities
Indigenous artist collectives operating on a non-profit basis in any artistic discipline

Who is not eligible

Non-Indigenous owned or led companies and organizations.
Organizations and collectives that already receive Operating funding from the Toronto Arts Council (TAC).
Undergraduate educational institutions and student associations.
Schools that are part of Ontario’s public or private education system.
Educational and religious institutions where arts activities are not clearly separated from regular programming and budgets.

Eligible expenses

Honoraria for mentors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
Networking or professional development event costs; costs for visiting sites of significance.
Rental of space or software for interviews; expenses for accessing support materials (e.g., archives).
Fees paid to collaborators, mentors, and creative resources.
Studio expenses, essential materials, and production elements related to creation.
Artistic, presentation, exhibition, and administrative fees and costs, including installation, rehearsal, venue, and production costs (excluding film production).
Dissemination costs such as publicity, marketing, and outreach.
Costs for workshops, conferences, or events designed to develop or expand Indigenous arts practices.
Development of toolkits and resources to support Indigenous arts practices.
Accessibility costs (up to $5,000) such as ASL interpretation, audio description, closed captioning, communications assistants, attendant care, support workers, and related equipment rentals.

Eligible geographic areas

City of Toronto

Selection criteria

Artistic merit of the project.
Contribution of the project to the development of the applicant.
Financial viability of the project and the ability of the applicant and participants to carry out the project.
For Exhibition, Presentation, Dissemination, and Indigenous Arts Sector Development categories: Contribution of the project to the development of Indigenous arts in Toronto.
For the above categories: Public impact, including the quality and effectiveness of publicity, marketing, outreach, and/or audience development strategies.

How to apply

Review eligibility and guidelines

Review the Indigenous Arts Projects program guidelines on the Toronto Arts Council website
Determine eligibility as an Indigenous artist, collective, or organization based in Toronto
Identify the appropriate project category for your application

Prepare and complete application form

Register or log in to TAC Grants Online at https://tac.smartsimple.ca
Prepare required documents, including artistic statement, project description, budget information, and support material
Complete the application form according to the chosen project category

Upload supporting documents

Upload all supporting documents (PDFs, audio-visual materials, letters of support, etc.) as required
Ensure all sections of the application are complete and meet category requirements
Request accessibility or application assistance support if needed

Submit grant application online

Submit your completed application through TAC Grants Online before the specified deadline
Ensure you receive a confirmation email upon submission
Retain access to your application in the portal for any future reference

Await application results

Wait for the assessment by a peer panel from the Indigenous arts community
Notification of results will be sent by email within 3 to 4 months of submission

Complete post-approval requirements

If approved, review and sign the Letter of Understanding
Provide banking information for electronic payment
Submit Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination policies if required

Implement funded project

Carry out the funded project according to the approved plan
Inform TAC of public performances or events
Adhere to grant conditions and report changes if necessary

File final project report

Submit a final report through TAC Grants Online upon completion of the project
Confirm all expenditures and project outcomes as required
Maintain records for audit and tax purposes

Additional information

Applicants are required to register and submit their application through the TAC Grants Online portal; applications by other means are not accepted.
Successful applicants must sign and upload a Letter of Understanding through TAC Grants Online before funding can be released.
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge support from Toronto Arts Council in all written materials related to supported activities, using the TAC logo or specified text.
Notification of results is provided within three to four months after submission for applications under the rolling deadline.

Contacts

rupal@torontoarts.org

416-392-6800

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Arts Projects Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Indigenous Arts Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Indigenous Arts Projects?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Indigenous Arts Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous Arts Projects?

Who is eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program?

To be eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program, you must: The applicant must be a professional Indigenous artist, a collective, or a non-profit organization (incorporated or not), based in Toronto. The majority of members (for collectives/organizations) must be Indigenous and reside in Toronto. The project must take place in the city of Toronto and directly benefit Indigenous artists or communities in Toronto.