
OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating
Last Update: May 15, 2025
ON, Canada
Supports operating funding for professional dance organizations in Ontario
OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
- Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Status
Open
Overview of the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program
The OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating grant supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, professional dance organizations in Ontario, including dance companies, presenters, festivals, schools, and other dance-centered entities. The program funds eligible activities such as the creation, production, presentation of dance works, professional training, and sector development; the maximum funding amount is not specified in the program details.
Eligible projects & activities
- Creation and production of professional dance works by not-for-profit organizations.
- Presentation of professional dance performances, series, or festivals.
- Training programs that prepare students for professional dance careers through multi-year instruction.
- Capacity-building and development initiatives supporting professional dance artists, including administration, publicity, marketing, and career development services.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 43,000
Automating packaging lines for local bakery to reduce waste
$ 70,000
Implementing solar panels for a community-run grocery store
$ 55,000
Developing an inclusive employment program for adults with disabilities
$ 32,000
Modernizing the kitchen of a multicultural community association
$ 38,000
Launching a mobile farmers' market for underserved neighbourhoods
$ 32,000
Upgrading equipment to increase textile recycling at local co-op
Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program
- The applicant must be an Ontario-based, not-for-profit corporation or a national not-for-profit corporation with its head office in Ontario.
- The organization must operate as a dance company, dance presenter/festival, dance school, or other dance-centered organization primarily supporting professional dance artists.
- The organization must have at least $75,000 in total revenues for the last fiscal year and in projected revenues for the current and requested years (for applicants not currently receiving funding from this program).
- The organization must have at least two years of sustained, regular, ongoing programming as of the application date.
- An active board of directors or governing body is required.
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit, professional dance companies
- Dance presenters and dance festivals
- Professional dance schools training students for a dance career
- Other dance-centered organizations supporting professional dance artists
Who is not eligible
- Dance schools that are funded as provincial secondary or post-secondary education institutions.
- Non-arts organizations.
- Arts service organizations.
- Municipalities, colleges, and universities.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
How to apply to the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program
- Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesRead the Guide to OAC Operating Programs and the Guide to OAC Assessment to understand the requirements and evaluation process.
- Step 2: Contact Program OfficerNew applicants must contact the program officer to discuss eligibility before starting the application.
- Step 3: Set Up AccountsCreate or update your organization’s profile in Nova, the OAC’s online grant application system.
- New applicants must register for an account with Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC).
- Step 4: Prepare Application MaterialsPrepare responses to application questions.
- Gather and submit financial and statistical information through CADAC.
- Upload your organization’s financial statements for the last completed year to CADAC.
- Compile artistic examples and supporting documents as required.
- Step 5: Submit ApplicationComplete and submit the application and all required documents through Nova before the deadline.
- Step 6: Application NotificationReceive notification of grant results approximately five months after the application deadline.
Additional information
- Grant notifications are provided approximately five months after the program deadline.
- Applications are accessible through the Nova online granting system about two months before the deadline.
- Financial and statistical reports must be submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC) prior to the deadline.
- Supporting documentation requirements and full application instructions are detailed within the application in Nova.
Contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
speerbaye@arts.on.ca
416-969-7422
Apply to this program

Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Cost-share funding for rural economic development

Grant and FundingOpen
Ontario, Canada
Funding for the Ontario cultural media industry

Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Ontario, Canada
Supporting Francophone economic growth in Northern Ontario

Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Funds for Southern Ontario not-for-profit organizations helping businesses

Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Funding for music service organizations in Ontario

Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Funding for student summer employment positions in key sectors

Grant and FundingOpen
Toronto, Ontario
Rewards businesses for implementing permanent water-saving measures

Grant and FundingOpen
Ontario, Canada
Funds to increase community profiles in Northern Ontario

Grant and FundingOpen
Ontario, Canada
Money to establish and enhance research capacity

Expert AdviceOpen
Ontario, Canada
Help to launch an online store for Ontario businesses