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OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects

Q: How much funding can be received?

OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects Funds up to $20,000 of admissible expenses.

Q: Who is eligible for the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program?

To be eligible for the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program, you must: Ontario-based community-engaged arts project Eligible artist, group, or organization Arts partner required for non-arts applicants

Q: What expenses are eligible under OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects?

Planning and co-designing community-engaged arts projects Realizing community-engaged arts projects Two-year community-engaged arts projects Mentorship for professional artists in project planning or facilitation

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects?

You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at mlegg@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-969-7401.

Q: Where is the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects available?

The OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program is available the province of Ontario.

Q: Is the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects is a Grant and Funding

Last Update: March 24, 2026

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Support for community-engaged arts projects in Ontario

Grant and Funding

Processing And Agreement

Other info

Contact

Overview

This program supports community-engaged arts projects in Ontario, with maximum funding of $20,000 for two-year projects. It funds planning, project realization, and mentorship-related costs for artists working with communities and schools.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increasing community impact

Develop strategic partnerships

Raise awareness and mobilize the public

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 20,000 $

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Location

Toronto
Ontario

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Indigenous Peoples
Persons with Disabilities
Youth (<40)

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Culture and Arts
Primary and Secondary Education
Economic, Social and Community Development
Children and Youth Organizations
Diversity and Inclusion

Target groups

All the groups

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

Provincial

Activities funded

Planning and co-designing community-engaged arts projects
Realizing community-engaged arts projects
Two-year community-engaged arts projects
Mentorship for professional artists in project planning or facilitation

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 12,000

Intergenerational theatre and drumming builds shared community stories

$ 11,850

Students create animations exploring water stewardship and local voices

$ 12,000

Community mural workshops co-create stories with youth and families

Documents Needed

Project budget
Artistic examples or documentation of artistic and community work
Resumes or bios for artists and support specialists
Letters of confirmation from partners
Letters of intent, for early-stage Planning applications

Eligibility

The project must be a community-engaged arts project in Ontario.
The applicant must be an eligible artist, group, collective, organization, school board, or school.
Non-arts applicants must have an arts partner.
Two-year project applicants must have received two or more eligible OAC project grants in the last five years.

Who is eligible?

Professional artists living in Ontario
Ad hoc groups and collectives with Ontario members
Ontario-based not-for-profit arts and non-arts organizations
School boards and First Nations or Indigenous education authority schools

Who is not eligible

Municipalities, colleges, and universities
Amateur arts organizations
Artists employed by a school during the project
School boards partnered with OAC’s Artists in Residence (Education) program
Seasonal camps, festivals, or events for the Two-Year Project category

Eligible expenses

Artists’ fees and specialist fees
Participant honoraria, snacks, and travel
Venue or studio rental and small equipment
Materials, administration, marketing, and outreach
Childcare and accessibility-related costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Events or activities outside Ontario
Tours, fundraising, and major capital expenditures
Projects without a confirmed non-arts community partner
Projects that do not pay professional artists
Career training, art therapy, and faculty or student projects

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Selection criteria

Projects that work with sectors beyond the arts
Projects that build community and civic engagement
Projects that reduce barriers to arts participation
Projects that increase access for underserved or marginalized communities
Projects that employ Ontario artists in Ontario communities

How to apply

Review program eligibility

Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs and review the program page for eligibility details, deadlines, grant amounts, funding priorities, and restrictions.
Confirm that your project fits the program’s purpose, eligible applicants, and activity timing.

Set up Nova profiles

Create or update your profile in Nova.
Register your personal account first, then set up or access an organization or group profile if applicable.
Make sure the correct profile is active before starting the application.

Prepare application materials

Prepare the materials required for the application, including artistic examples, CVs or bios, support documents, and any partner letters of confirmation or intent.
For the Support Material section, describe how the artistic examples relate to the project.
Gather budget information and draft your project plan.

Complete the application

Fill out the application in Nova, including background, support material, project plans, and budget sections.
Use the required project plan fields, complete the budget so it balances at $0, and make sure the Declaration tab is complete.
Validate the application and correct any missing fields.

Submit the application

Submit the application in Nova by 1 p.m. EST on the deadline date.
After submission, download or print a PDF copy for your records.

Wait for results

Wait for OAC’s notification after grant decisions are made, about four and a half months after the deadline for project programs.
Open the notification letter in Nova and acknowledge it once available.

Complete post-award requirements

If the grant is awarded, meet any conditions listed in the notification letter before payment can be issued.
Complete the project, then submit the final report in Nova with the required budget, documentation, and recognition evidence.

Processing and Agreement

Applications are reviewed after submission in Nova.
Applicants are notified of the decision about four and a half months after the deadline.
If funded, a final report must be submitted in Nova.
Recipients must follow OAC terms and reporting requirements.

Additional information

Application materials include artistic examples and support documents.
Mentorship funding is available in any category.
Final reporting is required through Nova if funded.
Recognition requirements apply to funded projects.

Contacts

mlegg@arts.on.ca

416-969-7401

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools 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.