Closed
Source verified July 6, 2026
OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects
Support for community-engaged arts projects in Ontario
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: 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.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: 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.
Deadlines and contact links updated
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.
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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.
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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
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
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
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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
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
Official resources
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
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
- 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.
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
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?
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
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