Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Contact us
Closed

OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects

Support for community-engaged arts projects in Ontario

Offered by
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Official source: arts.on.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Professional artists living in Ontario
See full eligibility

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

Maximum funding
$20,000
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Toronto
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Language Minorities
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • 2SLGBTQI+
  • Canadians
  • Youth (<40)
  • Startups
  • Women
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Culture and Arts, Primary and Secondary Education, Other Education, Social Services, Environment, Economic, Social and Community Development, Employment and Training, Civic and Advocacy Organizations, Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
Artists / creatives, Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
Provincial

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Deadlines and contact links updated

The grant’s deadlines page now shows updated 2026-27 opening/closing status and several new or revised dates, with smaller contact and navigation link changes elsewhere.

See more

The Grant Program Deadlines and Important Dates page now shows updated 2026-27 opening/closing status, and several grant dates are newly listed or revised within the next 90 days. This is the clearest substantive change in the grant set; the main program text still appears unchanged, while contact/navigation areas also shifted with a new Visitor information link under Contact Us / Staff Directory.

Official source: arts.on.ca
July 6, 2026

Eligibility

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

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

How to apply

  • Step 1: Prepare your profile
    • Read the program guide and basic eligibility information.
    • Create or update your Nova profile.
  • Step 2: Complete the application in Nova
    • Fill out the online application form.
    • Provide project information, answers to application questions, budget, artistic examples, and support documents.
  • Step 3: Submit in Nova
    • Submit the completed application through Nova before the deadline.
    • Use the program’s online system to file the application.

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

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

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

Official sources

Artists in Communities and Schools Projects

Program guide

Evaluation Rubric - Community-Engaged ProjectsGuide to OAC Project ProgramsRequirements for grant recipients
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

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

What is the OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects?

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.

How much funding can be received?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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