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Source verified October 7, 2026
OAC — Exhibition Assistance
Support for confirmed public exhibitions
Latest source updateLast Update: September 29, 2026Latest change: The Exhibition Assistance program deadline dates on the Craft Ontario page moved from August 15 and November 14, 2025 to August 13 and November 12, 2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 29, 2026
Latest change: The Exhibition Assistance program deadline dates on the Craft Ontario page moved from August 15 and November 14, 2025 to August 13 and November 12, 2026.
Exhibition Assistance deadlines updated
The Craft Ontario page for the Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Program now lists new deadline dates: August 13 and November 12, 2026, replacing August 15 and November 14, 2025. The application portal link, application instructions, and program contact remain the same.
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 2,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Hamilton Artists Inc. is a recommender for the Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance program in Zone 3. It supports Ontario-based professional visual artists, craft artists, media artists and artist collectives with $500 to $2,000 for presentation costs tied to a confirmed public exhibition. Eligible expenses include framing and installation, transportation, and promotional expenses.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
- Reach a new target audience
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Presentation of artwork in a confirmed public exhibition
Documents Needed
- Resume or CV
- Letter or document confirming your exhibition
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional visual artists
- Craft artists
- Media artists
- Ontario-based artist collectives
Who is not eligible
- Undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time at an educational institution
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Curators
Eligible expenses
- Presentation costs, including framing, display structures, mounting and installation hardware and supplies and construction of structural elements specific to an installation, photo printing for exhibition
- Audio-visual presentation equipment
- Technical and installation expenses and fees, including the cost of preparing or documenting artwork to present in a virtual/online exhibition
- Crating and transportation of works of art
- Exhibition venue rent or booth fee, exhibition promotional expenses, and insurance
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Art materials and other costs related to the creation of artwork
- Artist’s fees for exhibition and installation
- Artist’s travel and accommodation
- Catalogues and documentation of artwork
- Hospitality
Eligible geographic areas
- Zone 3
Selection criteria
- Quality of the artist’s work
- OAC priority groups
- Other funding priorities set by the recommender
How to apply
- Exhibition assistance applications are submitted through OAC’s online granting portal, Nova.
- Emailed or mailed applications are not accepted.
- If you live in Zone 3 and want to apply to Hamilton Artists Inc., create an account in Nova and submit your application directly through the portal.
Processing and Agreement
- You must notify OAC to request approval if your exhibition venue or dates change before any changes take place.
- If you receive a grant, you must complete the project and submit a final report in Nova.
- You must not submit your final report before receiving your grant cheque.
Additional information
- Applicants no longer need to apply before their exhibition start date.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Exhibition Assistance Program
What is the OAC — Exhibition Assistance?
Hamilton Artists Inc. is a recommender for the Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance program in Zone 3. It supports Ontario-based professional visual artists, craft artists, media artists and artist collectives with $500 to $2,000 for presentation costs tied to a confirmed public exhibition. Eligible expenses include framing and installation, transportation, and promotional expenses.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Exhibition Assistance Funds up to $2,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program, you must:
Ontario residents with a permanent physical address in Ontario
Professional visual artists, craft artists, media artists, and artist collectives
Confirmed, upcoming public exhibition
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Exhibition Assistance?
Presentation of artwork in a confirmed public exhibition
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Exhibition Assistance?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at ejeffers@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-969-7461.
Where is the OAC — Exhibition Assistance available?
The OAC — Exhibition Assistance program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OAC — Exhibition Assistance a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OAC — Exhibition Assistance is a Grant and Funding