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OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials
Support for Indigenous artists’ materials
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 500 - $ 1,000
- Deadline
- January 29, 2027
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Ontario Arts Council's Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials program supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and Culture Carriers creating artwork in visual arts, crafts, or traditional or customary Indigenous art forms. It covers art materials, small tools, workshop materials, shipping, and travel for gathering materials.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $1,000
- Minimum funding
- $500
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Ontario
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis artists and Culture Carriers
- Ontario residents
Who is not eligible
- Non-Indigenous applicants
- Ad hoc groups and collectives
- Organizations
- Artists who have a conflict of interest with a particular recommender may not apply to that recommender.
Eligible expenses
- Materials and art supplies, such as wood, fabric, thread, stone, leather hides, sinew, beads, needles, photographic printing, inks, metals, paint, canvas, paper, pencils, etc.
- Small tools for making artwork or for harvesting or gathering materials, such as blades, carving tools, awls, scissors, etc.
- Materials or tools required to run or participate in workshops.
- Cost of transporting or shipping materials and supplies.
- Individual travel costs for gathering materials, such as to collect beading/sewing supplies or to gather natural materials on the land.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Artist fees and honorariums.
- Workshop registration fees.
- Large equipment purchases, studio set-up or renovations.
- Materials and supplies for student projects in all education levels.
- Business and promotional expenses, cost of producing a commercial production line, creation of food products and beverages, and creation of body care products such as soaps and home products such as candles and floral arrangements.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Activities funded
- Create artwork.
- Facilitate workshops.
- Projects in visual arts, crafts, or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms.
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.
Documents Needed
- Images or video documentation of your own work, up to 8 images maximum
- Artist résumé, optional but recommended
Selection criteria
- Artistic merit
- Viability and impact
- Quality of application
Processing and Agreement
- All applications are assessed by an external, all-Inuit Peer Assessment Committee.
- Applications are assessed according to the rubric.
Additional information
- This is a third-party recommender program.
- Indigenous OAC staff members administer the program.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials Program
What is the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
The Ontario Arts Council's Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials program supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and Culture Carriers creating artwork in visual arts, crafts, or traditional or customary Indigenous art forms. It covers art materials, small tools, workshop materials, shipping, and travel for gathering materials.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials Funds up to $1,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is January 29, 2027.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program, you must:
Indigenous applicants only
First Nations, Inuit or Métis artists or Culture Carriers
Ontario residents
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
Materials and art supplies, such as wood, fabric, thread, stone, leather hides, sinew, beads, needles, photographic printing, inks, metals, paint, canvas, paper, pencils, etc.
Small tools for making artwork or for harvesting or gathering materials, such as blades, carving tools, awls, scissors, etc.
Materials or tools required to run or participate in workshops.
Cost of transporting or shipping materials and supplies.
Individual travel costs for gathering materials, such as to collect beading/sewing supplies or to gather natural materials on the land.
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at mlucas@arts.on.ca or by phone at 437-538-3626.
Where is the OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials available?
The OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program is available the province of Ontario.