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OAC — Exhibition Assistance
Supports Ontario artists presenting work in public exhibitions
Last Update: December 4, 2025
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 2,000
Timeline
- Open Date : June 1, 2025
- Closing date : January 15, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The OAC Exhibition Assistance program provides up to $2,000 in funding to support Ontario-based visual, craft, and media artists with costs related to presenting their artwork in confirmed public exhibitions. Eligible activities include expenses for presentation, installation, transportation, venue rental, promotional activities, and insurance.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Launch or market a product/service
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : June 1, 2025
- Closing date : January 15, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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
Activities funded
- Presentation of visual arts, craft, or media art in a confirmed public exhibition.
- Solo or group exhibitions held in public art galleries, artist-run centres, commercial galleries, or alternative public venues.
- Participation in art fairs, collective studio tours, or trade fairs showcasing artwork.
- Execution of do-it-yourself (DIY) or self-presented public exhibitions in Ontario, other Canadian provinces, or internationally.
- Presentation of eligible exhibitions in physical or professional virtual/online platforms.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Unincorporated artist collectives in visual arts, craft, or media arts based in Ontario
Who is not eligible
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
- Incorporated for-profit organizations
Eligible expenses
- 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 preparation or documentation of artwork for a virtual/online exhibition
- Crating and transportation of works of art
- Exhibition venue rent or booth fee
- Exhibition promotional expenses
- Insurance
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Additional information
- Application deadlines and available recommenders may change; always refer to the official program page for the latest updates prior to submitting an application.
- If you submit three applications in the program year, wait for the result of one before submitting another.
- If there is a change in the exhibition venue or dates, you must notify and request approval from the Ontario Arts Council before changes occur.
- Artists must avoid applying to recommenders where they have conflicts of interest, such as being an employee, board member, committee/jury member, or an immediate family member of such individuals.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Exhibition Assistance Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the OAC — Exhibition Assistance. 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 — Exhibition Assistance?
The OAC Exhibition Assistance program provides up to $2,000 in funding to support Ontario-based visual, craft, and media artists with costs related to presenting their artwork in confirmed public exhibitions. Eligible activities include expenses for presentation, installation, transportation, venue rental, promotional activities, and insurance.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Exhibition Assistance Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 15, 2026.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program, you must:
For-profit organizations are not eligible.
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Exhibition Assistance?
Presentation of visual arts, craft, or media art in a confirmed public exhibition.
Solo or group exhibitions held in public art galleries, artist-run centres, commercial galleries, or alternative public venues.
Participation in art fairs, collective studio tours, or trade fairs showcasing artwork.
Execution of do-it-yourself (DIY) or self-presented public exhibitions in Ontario, other Canadian provinces, or internationally.
Presentation of eligible exhibitions in physical or professional virtual/online platforms.
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Exhibition Assistance?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at scaspi@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-646-7469.
Where is the OAC — Exhibition Assistance available?
The OAC — Exhibition Assistance program is available the province of Ontario.
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