How much funding can be received?

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Grant amounts range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $2,000 per application.
You may submit up to three Exhibition Assistance applications at a time, each for a different exhibition or the same exhibition.
The total maximum grant amount you may receive in one program year is $2,000, which can be from multiple recommenders and exhibitions.
If you are awarded more than one grant in a single program year, these grants count as one grant toward your three-grant limit.
Approved grants may be less than the amount requested due to limited available funds or ineligible expenses.

Eligible projects & activities

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 criteria of the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program

The applicant must be a professional visual artist, craft artist, or media artist residing in Ontario with a confirmed, public exhibition.
Ontario-based visual, craft, and media artist collectives with a confirmed, public exhibition are also eligible.
Eligible exhibitions include solo or group shows in public art galleries, artist-run centres, commercial galleries, or alternative public locations, as well as art fairs and collective studio tours.
The exhibition must be confirmed and publicly accessible.
The applicant must provide documentation confirming the exhibition, including dates, venue, and organizer contact information.

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

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program

Quality of the artist’s work as presented in the application.
Alignment with OAC priority groups and any additional priorities identified by the recommender.

How to apply to the OAC — Exhibition Assistance program

Step 1: Create or Update Profile in NovaAccess Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system.
Create a new profile or update your existing profile with current information.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application MaterialsGather basic information about your confirmed public exhibition, including start and end dates, exhibition location and organizer’s contact information.
Develop a budget of eligible expenses related to the presentation of your artwork.
Prepare artistic examples: up to 8 images or video documentation (up to 8 minutes).
Obtain a résumé and an exhibition confirmation letter, contract, or official email correspondence (must include all required details about the event and organizer).
Step 3: Select a RecommenderConsult the list of recommenders for the Exhibition Assistance program.
Choose a recommender in your place of residence’s zone, or consider a specialized recommender if eligible.
Check recommender deadlines and availability before you start your application.
Step 4: Complete and Submit the Application in NovaFill out the application form in Nova, including all exhibition details, budget, and answers to application questions.
Upload the required support documents, artistic examples, and confirm which recommender you are applying to.
Review the application for accuracy and completeness.
Submit your application in Nova by the applicable deadline or before the recommender’s budget is spent.
Step 5: Receive Confirmation and Await NotificationMonitor your Nova profile and email for confirmation of submission.
Await notification regarding the status of your application, which may take up to two months after the submission or recommender deadline, depending on the recommender’s process.

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.