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
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