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OAC — Indigenous Visual Artists Materials
Last Update: March 16, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Funding for Indigenous visual artists' materials and supplies
Grant and Funding
Overview
The OAC Indigenous Visual Artists Materials program provides grants of up to $1,000 to support Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists in purchasing art materials and supplies for visual arts, crafts, or traditional Indigenous art forms. Eligible activities include the creation of artwork and facilitating workshops, covering costs such as materials, small tools, and travel for gathering supplies.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
Timeline
- Open Date : September 1, 2025
- Closing date : January 30, 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
- Indigenous Peoples
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.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 995
Gather bark and weaving materials for traditional birch basketry
$ 970
Create soapstone carvings and engage youth through teaching sessions
$ 990
Purchase materials for beaded regalia and run cultural workshop
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) artist or Culture Carrier.
- The applicant must be a resident of Ontario.
- The application must clearly identify the applicant's Indigenous nation and community, and describe relevant lived experience.
- The project must involve the creation of artwork or facilitation of workshops in eligible visual arts, crafts, or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms.
- The application must be submitted through an Indigenous organization designated as a recommender in the Ontario Arts Council's online system (Nova).
Who is eligible?
- Individual First Nations artists working in visual arts, crafts, or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms
- Individual Inuit artists working in visual arts, crafts, or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms
- Individual Métis artists working in visual arts, crafts, or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms
- Indigenous Culture Carriers (such as Elders, knowledge keepers, traditional educators, or language holders) recognized for contributing to Indigenous cultural practice
Who is not eligible
- Non-Indigenous organizations and companies.
- Ad hoc groups and collectives.
- Any organizations or businesses, as the program is intended for individual Indigenous artists and culture carriers only.
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.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
How to apply
1
Create or update Nova profile
- Create or update your profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council's online grant application system
- Ensure your profile contains up-to-date personal and contact information
2
Prepare application materials
- Prepare your application responses, clearly stating your Indigenous nation, community, and lived experience
- Select the Indigenous organization recommender you are applying to
- Gather artistic examples (maximum 8 images or video documentation) of your own work
- Prepare a support document, such as an artist resumé (optional but recommended)
3
Complete and submit application in Nova
- Log in to Nova and complete the application for the Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials grant
- Attach required documentation and artistic examples
- Select and name the chosen recommender in your application
4
Await notification of results
- Your application is reviewed and assessed by the selected recommender organization
- Notification of results will be provided up to two months after deadline or submission date, depending on recommender process
5
Receive grant approval and funding
- If successful, you will receive a confirmation of your grant approval
- Follow instructions to access grant funds and begin funded activities
6
Complete funded project
- Complete your project and use the grant funds as proposed for eligible expenses
- Keep records and images of artworks created using funded materials
7
Submit final report in Nova
- Submit a final report in Nova after project completion
- Include a short description of the work created, images, and proof of OAC recognition
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.
