OAC — Northern Arts Projects

• The applicant must have its head office based in northern Ontario.
• Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, Canadian-controlled professional arts and literary publishers (including eligible for-profit publishers), ad hoc groups and collectives with at least 50% of members residing in northern Ontario, and northern Ontario-based First Nations and schools run by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities.
• Non-arts organizations must demonstrate appropriate arts expertise and directly involve arts professionals as paid artists or advisory committee members.
• The project must support the creation, production, or presentation of artwork, professional development, or community-engaged arts initiatives that benefit communities in northern Ontario.

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations with a head office in northern Ontario (including non-arts organizations that have appropriate arts expertise and involve arts professionals)
• Canadian-controlled professional arts and literary book and magazine publishers with a head office in northern Ontario (including eligible Canadian-owned for-profit publishers)
• Ad hoc groups and collectives based in northern Ontario consisting primarily of professional artists and/or arts professionals
• Northern Ontario-based First Nations
• Schools run by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities in northern Ontario

Who is not eligible

• Colleges, universities, and municipalities.
• For-profit organizations, except for eligible arts and literary publishers headquartered in northern Ontario.
• Organizations currently receiving Ontario Arts Council (OAC) operating funding; these organizations may participate in group projects but cannot act as the applicant or co-applicant.

Eligible expenses

• Costs for creation and production of new works in all artistic disciplines.
• Expenses related to the presentation of artistic work, including exhibitions, concerts, literary readings, book fairs, festivals, and publications.
• Fees for professional development opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, seminars, mentorships, and short-term courses (for individuals and organizations).
• Costs for community-engaged arts projects, including collaborations, residencies, and initiatives involving community members in creative processes.
• Editorial, production, circulation, marketing, and promotion expenses for publishing eligible arts or literary books or magazines.
• Sales, distribution, and administrative costs if directly related to an eligible publication.
• Purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics, and materials required to carry out the project.
• Childcare and dependant care fees that allow individuals to participate in the project (excluding regular ongoing expenses).
• Costs associated with making the project accessible to audience members and participants who are Deaf or have a disability (other than the applicant).

Eligible geographic areas

• Northern Ontario, including the Far North, Northwest, and Northeast regions
• Manitoulin District
• Parry Sound District
• Nipissing District
• All regions north of Manitoulin, Parry Sound, and Nipissing districts

• Project's contribution to the development and growth of the arts in northern Ontario.
• Recognition and support of the distinctive nature of arts produced in Ontario’s northern regions.
• Support for northern Ontario artists at various career stages, with emphasis on creation, production, and promotion of their work.
• Inclusion of fees paid to artists residing in northern Ontario.
• Accessibility and inclusiveness of the project for audiences, participants, and community members.

• Step 1: Review Guidelines and EligibilityRead the Guide to OAC Project Programs to understand eligibility requirements and restrictions.
• Consult supporting resources such as the Guide to OAC Assessment and the Nova User Guide.
• Step 2: Prepare Your Profile in NovaCreate or update your applicant profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system.
• Step 3: Gather Application MaterialsCollect all required information about your project.
• Prepare answers to application questions.
• Draft a project budget.
• Prepare artistic examples such as audio or video documentation, writing samples, or images as appropriate.
• Gather support documents including résumés, bios, organizational history, letters of reference or confirmation, commitment letters, and sample session or lesson plans as applicable.
• Step 4: Complete the Application in NovaFill out the application form in Nova when it becomes available (approximately two months before the relevant deadline).
• Input all project information, upload supporting and artistic documents, and provide required answers and budget details.
• Step 5: Submit the ApplicationSubmit the completed application through the Nova system before the deadline (April 30 or November 4, 1 p.m. ET).
• Step 6: Await NotificationWait to be notified of the grant decision, usually about four and a half months after the deadline.
• Step 7: Complete Final Reporting (if awarded)Upon project completion, submit a final report in Nova, including a description of outcomes, final budget, and supporting materials as required by OAC.

• The application form becomes available in the Nova system approximately two months before each deadline.
• Grant results are communicated about four and a half months after each application deadline.
• If the final project budget shows a surplus exceeding $250, repayment of the surplus to the Ontario Arts Council may be required.
• Applicants are required to provide documentation demonstrating how the OAC and Government of Ontario logos were used for project recognition.