Closed
OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating
Operating support for professional dance organizations
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit professional dance organizations in Ontario. Eligible activities include dance creation, presentation, training, and sector support services for professional dance artists.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
- Fee-for-service model
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Ongoing operations of professional dance organizations
- Creation and production of dance works
- Presentation of dance works, series, or festivals
- Professional dance training and sector support services
Documents Needed
- Application answers
- CADAC financial and statistical information
- Recent financial statements
- Artistic examples
- Support documents
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Dance companies
- Dance presenters and festivals
- Dance schools
- Other dance-centered organizations
Who is not eligible
- Dance schools funded as provincial secondary or post-secondary institutions
- Non-arts organizations
- Arts service organizations
- Municipalities, colleges, and universities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Applications from provincial education-funded dance schools
- Applications from non-arts organizations
- Applications from arts service organizations
- Applications from municipalities, colleges, and universities
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Evaluation rubric is used for assessment
How to apply
- Step 1: Review program guides
- Read the operating program guide.
- Read the assessment guide.
- New applicants should contact the program officer about eligibility.
- Step 2: Prepare your profile
- Create or update your Nova profile.
- New applicants should register for a CADAC account.
- Step 3: Complete the application
- Fill in the application questions in Nova.
- Prepare CADAC financial and statistical information.
- Upload the required supporting material in CADAC.
- Step 4: Submit online
- Submit the application in Nova before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission in Nova.
- Grant decisions are notified about five months after the deadline.
- Financial and statistical reports must be filed through CADAC before the deadline.
Additional information
- New applicants may apply only in the first year of a multi-year cycle.
- Applications are available in Nova about two months before the deadline.
- Financial and statistical reports must be submitted through CADAC before the deadline.
- Grant notification is available about five months after the deadline.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating Program
What is the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating?
Supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit professional dance organizations in Ontario. Eligible activities include dance creation, presentation, training, and sector support services for professional dance artists.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program, you must:
Not-for-profit organization
Ontario-based presence
Ongoing programming history
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating?
Ongoing operations of professional dance organizations
Creation and production of dance works
Presentation of dance works, series, or festivals
Professional dance training and sector support services
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at speerbaye@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-969-7422.
Where is the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating available?
The OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating?
OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating is funded by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)