Closed
OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects
Support for community-engaged arts projects in Ontario
Last Update: March 24, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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 $
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
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
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
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
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.
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