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OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects
Support for Ontario media artists' creation projects
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : August 8, 2026
- Closing date : October 8, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Support for Ontario-based media artists creating independent works in film, audio, digital media, and virtual reality. Maximum funding is $10,000 for Emerging artists and $40,000 for Mid-Career & Established artists, for production and post-production projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : August 8, 2026
- Closing date : October 8, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
- Canadians
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Production and post-production of independent media art projects
- Creation of film, video, audio, digital, and new media works
- Development of animation, games, virtual reality, and installation projects
Documents Needed
- Audiovisual artistic examples
- Project budget and detailed budget
- Résumé, bio, or CV
- Support documents relevant to the project
- Department head letter, for graduate students
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individual professional media artists/directors
- Ontario-based applicants
- Emerging artists
- Mid-career artists
- Established artists
Who is not eligible
- Producers
- Screenwriters or artists without directorial control
- Secondary and undergraduate students
- Commercial media production applicants
Eligible expenses
- Production and post-production costs
- Artist and personnel fees
- Travel, insurance, and promotional materials
- Facility, equipment, software, and materials rentals or purchases
- Childcare and other dependant care fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Research, development, and screenwriting
- Television projects, web series, podcasts, and pilots
- Commercial projects, promotional work, and educational projects
- Commercial video or electronic games and websites
- Major capital expenditures and projects over the budget limit
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Innovation in content, point of view, form, style, technique, or process
- Contribution to the artist's development
- Assessment by category-specific panel
- Gender parity is also considered
How to apply
- Step 1
- Read the program guide and review eligibility requirements.
- Create or update your Nova profile.
- Step 2
- Prepare the application form and project information in Nova.
- Gather the required artistic examples and support documents.
- Step 3
- Complete the budget section and application questions.
- Upload all required materials in Nova.
- Step 4
- Submit the application in Nova before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after the deadline by a peer assessment panel.
- Applicants are notified of the decision in Nova by email.
- Funding is released only when all revenue sources are confirmed.
- A final report must be submitted in Nova after the project.
Additional information
- The program is divided into two applicant categories: Emerging Artist and Mid-Career & Established Artist.
- Applications are assessed by two separate panels, based on project category.
- The application form becomes available in Nova about two months before each deadline.
- Results are issued about four and a half months after each deadline.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects Program
What is the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects?
Support for Ontario-based media artists creating independent works in film, audio, digital media, and virtual reality. Maximum funding is $10,000 for Emerging artists and $40,000 for Mid-Career & Established artists, for production and post-production projects.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will open on August 8, 2026.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects program, you must:
Ontario-based media artist
Independent creative control
Required media works completed
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects?
Production and post-production of independent media art projects
Creation of film, video, audio, digital, and new media works
Development of animation, games, virtual reality, and installation projects
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at reception@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-961-1660.
Where is the OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects available?
The OAC — Media Artists Creation Projects program is available the province of Ontario.