Closed
Source verified July 6, 2026
OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials
Funding for Indigenous artists’ materials and supplies
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 1,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Ontario Arts Council offers support of $500 or $1,000 for Ontario-based Indigenous artists and Culture Carriers. The program helps cover materials and supplies for visual arts, crafts, traditional or customary Indigenous art forms, including work created independently or through workshops.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation of visual artworks in traditional or contemporary Indigenous art forms.
- Facilitation of workshops focused on Indigenous visual arts or craft practices.
- Multi-disciplinary art projects involving eligible Indigenous art forms.
Documents Needed
- The name of the recommender you are applying to
- Images and video documentation of your work, up to 8 images maximum
- Résumé, optional
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations artists
- Inuit artists
- Métis artists
- Individual artists
- Elders
Who is not eligible
- Groups
- Collectives
- Organizations
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of art materials and supplies (e.g., wood, fabric, thread, stone, leather hides, sinew, beads, needles, photographic printing, inks, metals, paint, canvas, paper, pencils).
- Acquisition of small tools required for making artwork or for harvesting/gathering materials (e.g., blades, carving tools, awls, scissors).
- Materials or tools necessary for running or participating in workshops.
- Transportation or shipping costs related to materials and supplies.
- Individual travel expenses for gathering materials, such as collecting beading/sewing supplies or natural materials.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Artist fees and honorariums
- Workshop registration fees
- Large equipment, studio setup, or renovations
- Business and promotional expenses
- Commercial production, food, body care, and home product creation
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit
- Viability and impact
- Quality of application
How to apply
- Complete and submit an application through Nova.
- Preview the application questions in advance.
- Include the name of the recommender you are applying to.
- Include images and video documentation of your work, up to 8 images maximum.
- Include a résumé, if desired.
Processing and Agreement
- All applications are assessed by an external, all-Inuit Peer Assessment Committee.
- Applications are assessed according to the rubric.
Additional information
- Applicants may only receive one grant from this program per program year but can apply to multiple recommenders.
- If awarded a grant greater than $500, recipients will receive a T4A slip from OAC.
- Awarded grants count towards the three-grant limit for the 2025 program year.
- Applicants must not submit more than one application per recommender per program year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials Program
What is the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
The Ontario Arts Council offers support of $500 or $1,000 for Ontario-based Indigenous artists and Culture Carriers. The program helps cover materials and supplies for visual arts, crafts, traditional or customary Indigenous art forms, including work created independently or through workshops.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials Funds up to $1,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program, you must:
Self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit
Be an Ontario resident
Apply as an individual artist or Elder
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
Creation of visual artworks in traditional or contemporary Indigenous art forms.
Facilitation of workshops focused on Indigenous visual arts or craft practices.
Multi-disciplinary art projects involving eligible Indigenous art forms.
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at krajwade@arts.on.ca or by phone at 437-538-3628.
Where is the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials available?
The OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials is a Grant and Funding