Closed
Media Artists Program : Creation
Supports professional media artists creating or completing new works
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 15, 2025
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Media Artists Program: Creation provides up to $15,000 in funding to support the creation, production, or completion of new or ongoing independent media art projects. Eligible activities include costs related to creation, materials, production, and post-production in disciplines such as film, video, audio, digital media, electronic games, virtual/augmented reality, and new media artworks.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : October 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Toronto
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation or production of new independent media art works.
- Completion of works in progress in the field of media arts.
- Production and post-production of media arts projects, including film, video, audio, digital works, electronic games, virtual and augmented reality, and new media artworks.
- Collaborative media arts projects involving co-applicants, provided one principal applicant is designated.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individual professional media artists
- Collaborative groups with a principal artist applicant
Who is not eligible
- Companies or firms, only individual applications from professional media artists are accepted.
- Film or video producers (only the director can submit an application).
- Organizations or companies seeking funding solely for travel or exhibition expenses, capital purchases, or promotion and marketing.
- Applications for projects that are already completed, commercial or educational pilots for television, or music videos.
Eligible expenses
- Direct costs of creation or production of new or in-progress media artworks.
- Materials required for the creation or production process.
- Post-production support and associated expenses.
- Accessibility costs for artists, such as ASL interpretation, audio description, closed captioning, communications assistants, attendant care, support workers, and equipment rentals (only for projects involving Deaf artists or artists with disabilities, up to a specified limit).
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Toronto
Selection criteria
- Artistic assessment based on past and proposed work by a peer review panel of practicing media arts professionals.
- Applications are reviewed in a competitive context, with evaluation of artistic merit relative to other submissions.
- Equity Priority Policy: If multiple applications of equal merit are identified, priority is given to applicants who self-identify as belonging to equity priority groups.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility
- Review the eligibility requirements for applicants
- Ensure your project type and budget meet program criteria
- Confirm your residency and citizenship or status
2
Register and set up profile
- Register for an account on TAC Grants Online platform
- Set up your applicant profile with required details
3
Prepare application documents
- Prepare a detailed project description addressing purpose, themes, and techniques
- Compile your artist resume or CV
- Develop a complete project budget showing total revenues and expenses
- Gather support material, including previous work examples and required documentation
4
Complete and upload application
- Complete the online application form in TAC Grants Online
- Upload all required documents and support material in specified formats
- Indicate accessibility needs and request support if applicable
5
Submit application
- Submit the completed application via the TAC Grants Online portal before the deadline
- Ensure you receive a confirmation email upon submission
6
Await results
- Wait for email notification of the results, expected approximately 3 months after the deadline
- Log in to TAC Grants Online to check application decision
7
Complete funding acceptance process
- If successful, sign and upload the Letter of Understanding via TAC Grants Online
- Provide required banking information for electronic payment
- Submit Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation if requested
8
Implement and complete project
- Use funds as outlined in the application and adhere to project timeline and scale
- Acknowledge Toronto Arts Council support in written project materials
- Maintain records and comply with program requirements
9
Submit final project report
- Prepare and submit the final report through TAC Grants Online
- Ensure all funding and activities are properly documented
Additional information
- Applicants will be notified of application results approximately three months after submission; first notifications are expected by the end of December.
- Support materials, such as examples of previous works, are critical for assessment and must be submitted per specified guidelines.
- An additional TAC Accessibility grant of up to $5,000 is available for accessibility-related expenses for artists who are Deaf or have disabilities.
- Grant recipients must maintain adequate accounting records for funds received from the Toronto Arts Council, and a T4A form will be issued to individual applicants for income tax purposes.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Media Artists Program : Creation Program
What is the Media Artists Program : Creation?
The Media Artists Program: Creation provides up to $15,000 in funding to support the creation, production, or completion of new or ongoing independent media art projects. Eligible activities include costs related to creation, materials, production, and post-production in disciplines such as film, video, audio, digital media, electronic games, virtual/augmented reality, and new media artworks.
How much funding can be received?
Media Artists Program : Creation Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Media Artists Program : Creation program?
To be eligible for the Media Artists Program : Creation program, you must:
The applicant must be a professional artist residing in Toronto for at least one year.
The project must involve the creation or production of an independent media work.
The applicant must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected status.
What expenses are eligible under Media Artists Program : Creation?
Creation or production of new independent media art works.
Completion of works in progress in the field of media arts.
Production and post-production of media arts projects, including film, video, audio, digital works, electronic games, virtual and augmented reality, and new media artworks.
Collaborative media arts projects involving co-applicants, provided one principal applicant is designated.
Who can I contact for more information about the Media Artists Program : Creation?
You can contact Toronto Arts Council (TAO) by email at peter@torontoartscouncil.org or by phone at 416-392-6802.
Where is the Media Artists Program : Creation available?
The Media Artists Program : Creation program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Media Artists Program : Creation a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Media Artists Program : Creation is a Grant and Funding