How much funding can be received?

The OAC Market Development Travel program provides up to $2,000 to support travel for Ontario artists, arts professionals, and arts organizations aiming to promote their work by connecting with presenters at recognized events in Ontario, across Canada, or internationally. Eligible activities include attending showcases, art fairs, conferences, or meetings with presenters to create new market opportunities for artistic works.

Financing terms and conditions

Grant amounts are fixed based on travel destination: $1,000 for Ontario; $1,500 for other provinces/territories in Canada or the United States; $2,000 for destinations outside Canada and the United States.
Supplementary funds available for applicants in Northern Ontario: $500; or $1,000 for those in remote, isolated, and fly-in communities within Northern Ontario.
This program does not award partial grants; only full grant amounts are provided based on eligibility and destination.
Only one Market Development Travel grant may be awarded per OAC program year (April 1 – March 31).

Eligible projects & activities

Travel to attend a single recognized arts-focused event, such as a showcase, art fair, trade show, festival, conference, or networking event, for the purpose of promoting specific Ontario artistic work to presenters.
Travel to meet with at least two presenters, with the aim of promoting specific Ontario artistic work and building future audience opportunities.
Presenters traveling to promote Ontario artists to other presenters at eligible market development events.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 17,000

Upgrading manufacturing safety with new LEV systems and PPE

$ 19,000

Automating order fulfilment process for a local e-commerce retailer

$ 17,000

Solar panel installation to reduce emissions at a small bakery

$ 13,000

Expanding accessibility by retrofitting entrances and washrooms in a café

$ 6,500

Launching a composting program for a small restaurant group

$ 9,500

Upgrading digital infrastructure for local cooperative grocery store

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Market Development Travel program

The applicant must be an Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit professional arts organization, an Ontario-based Canadian-owned for-profit book or periodical publisher, an ad hoc group or collective based in Ontario, or a professional artist or arts professional residing in Ontario, working in an artistic practice supported by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).
The project must involve travel at least 100 kilometres from the applicant’s place of residence to promote specific artistic work to presenters via a recognized arts marketplace or meetings with at least two presenters.
The application must be submitted before travel begins and the activity must start on or after the application submission date.
The proposed initiative must be aimed at expanding the reach of Ontario artists and building new audiences through market development opportunities.

Who is eligible?

Ontario-based professional artists and arts professionals
Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives in artistic practices
Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit professional arts organizations in supported artistic practices
Ontario-based, Canadian-owned for-profit book or periodical publishers

Who is not eligible

Commercial dealers, agents, and managers.
Municipalities, schools, colleges, and universities.
Community and semi-professional choral organizations, semi-professional youth orchestras, community orchestras, and choral training organizations/groups.
Staff members applying as individuals for travel to represent their organization (the organization or publisher must be the applicant).

Eligible expenses

Transportation costs for travel to eligible events or meetings with presenters
Accommodation and meals during travel
Registration and booth fees for recognized events
Promotional materials for presenting artistic work to presenters

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Market Development Travel program

Artistic merit of the work being promoted.
Rationale for the choice of work being promoted to these presenters or at this event.
Significance of the work within the applicable artistic field(s).
Level of interaction with presenters.
Relevance and importance of the opportunity in the context of the applicant’s career stage, practice, and goals.

How to apply to the OAC — Market Development Travel program

Review program eligibility and guidelines

Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs
Review program eligibility and requirements
Consult additional guides and resources provided by OAC

Create or update Nova profile

Create or update your profile in Nova, OAC’s online application system

Collect required documents and materials

Gather all required documents, including applicant’s résumé/bio or organization history
For event travel, obtain a letter of invitation, proof of registration, or details about the event and presenters
For meetings, obtain letters confirming meetings with at least two presenters
Select an artistic example representing the work being promoted

Complete application in Nova system

Complete the application form in Nova
Answer all application questions
Upload the artistic example and supporting documents

Submit application

Submit your completed application through Nova

Await application results

Wait approximately eight weeks for notification of the application result

Implement funded project

If awarded, carry out the project as approved in your application
Ensure the activity starts after the application date and is completed within one year of grant notification

Submit final report

Submit a final report in Nova after project completion
Describe the market development impact and provide required documentation
Follow OAC recognition requirements in reporting

Additional information

Grant notifications are typically available approximately eight weeks after the application is submitted.
Changes to funded activities are not allowed; if the proposed activity cannot be completed as planned, the grant must be returned.
Recipients may be contacted after the final report to provide further information on the long-term impact of the grant.
The artistic example provided in the application must be the specific work being promoted to presenters.