Open
Source verified August 11, 2026
Indigenous Arts Projects
Supports Indigenous arts projects in Ontario
Funding available
$ 25,000
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Professional artists and arts professionals (emerging, mid-career, or established) who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, and are residents of Ontario.
See full eligibility
Overview
Ontario Arts Council Indigenous Arts Projects supports Indigenous individuals, ad hoc groups and collectives, and Indigenous organizations creating artistic work. It supports research and development, artistic research and experimentation, workshops and residencies, presentations and exhibitions, publications and festivals, and connections and partnerships that strengthen the Indigenous arts community.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Toronto
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research and development that will lead to the creation of new work
- Artistic research, exploration and experimentation, including workshops and residencies
- Creation and production of new work in art forms funded by the OAC
- Presentations, exhibitions, publications and festivals in which the primary purpose is to promote and distribute work by Indigenous artists
- Connections and partnerships through conferences, workshops, gatherings, delegations, and exchanges that strengthen the Indigenous arts community overall
Documents Needed
- Artistic Statement
- Project Description
- Budget Information, including supplementary budget information in PDF format
- Support Material
- Biographies for all project contributors
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional artists and arts professionals (emerging, mid-career, or established) who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, and are residents of Ontario.
- Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives comprised of a minimum of 50 per cent Indigenous members.
- Indigenous-led Ontario-based not-for-profit Indigenous arts organizations, non-arts organizations, centres and councils.
- Culture Carriers who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
- Indigenous-led professional arts and literary book and magazine publishers with a head office in Ontario, including Indigenous-owned for-profit publishers.
Who is not eligible
- non-Indigenous applicants
- colleges, universities, and municipalities
- for-profit organizations (except publishers)
- hobbyists
- artists, ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations that are not based in Ontario
Eligible expenses
- Research and development costs, including artistic research, exploration and experimentation, workshops and residencies
- Fees for professional artists, including payment to yourself or other artists engaged in the project
- Fees and expenses for Indigenous Culture Carriers, including Elders, knowledge keepers, traditional educators and language holders
- Fees and expenses to support plans for community care and cultural safety, for example Aunties, Elders or social workers
- Creation, production and presentation costs, including materials, venue rental, staging, technical equipment, costumes, transportation, accommodations and meals, materials and supplies, and equipment rental
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Living and personal expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit
- 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 Exhibition, Presentation, Dissemination and Indigenous Arts Sector Development categories: public impact, including the quality and effectiveness of the publicity, marketing, outreach and/or audience development strategies
How to apply
- Applicants register and submit the application on TAC Grants Online.
- Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, any time before 11:59 pm on October 15, 2026.
- TAC does not accept applications by any other means of delivery.
- Applicants receive a confirmation email when the application is submitted.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed by juries comprised of Indigenous artists.
Additional information
- Applicants may apply in one of the four categories described below.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Arts Projects Program
What is the Indigenous Arts Projects?
Ontario Arts Council Indigenous Arts Projects supports Indigenous individuals, ad hoc groups and collectives, and Indigenous organizations creating artistic work. It supports research and development, artistic research and experimentation, workshops and residencies, presentations and exhibitions, publications and festivals, and connections and partnerships that strengthen the Indigenous arts community.
How much funding can be received?
Indigenous Arts Projects Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program?
To be eligible for the Indigenous Arts Projects program, you must:
Applicants must be Indigenous.
Professional artists and arts professionals must be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis residents of Ontario.
Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives must have at least 50 per cent Indigenous members.
What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Arts Projects?
Research and development that will lead to the creation of new work
Artistic research, exploration and experimentation, including workshops and residencies
Creation and production of new work in art forms funded by the OAC
Presentations, exhibitions, publications and festivals in which the primary purpose is to promote and distribute work by Indigenous artists
Connections and partnerships through conferences, workshops, gatherings, delegations, and exchanges that strengthen the Indigenous arts community overall
Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Arts Projects?
You can contact Toronto Arts Council (TAO) by email at mlucas@arts.on.ca or by phone at 437-538-3626.
Where is the Indigenous Arts Projects available?
The Indigenous Arts Projects program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Indigenous Arts Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Indigenous Arts Projects is a Grant and Funding