How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 15000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the OAC — Northern Arts Projects?

OAC — Northern Arts Projects is funded by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

What are OAC — Northern Arts Projects's eligibility criterias?

Canadian-controlled professional arts and literary book or magazine publishers with a head office in northern Ontario (for-profit publishers eligible if criteria met)

OAC — Northern Arts Projects

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports creation, presentation, and development of northern Ontario arts

OAC — Northern Arts Projects at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

Status

Open

Overview of the OAC — Northern Arts Projects program

The OAC Northern Arts Projects program offers up to $15,000 in funding to support the creation, production, and presentation of artwork, professional development, and community-engaged arts initiatives benefiting northern Ontario communities. Eligible activities include new artistic works, public presentations, skills and career development, as well as collaborative community arts projects.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum grant amount is $15,000 per project for each of the following categories: New Works, Presentation, Skills/Career Development, and Working with Community.
Grants awarded may be less than the amount requested, depending on application volume and available funds.
If a co-application is submitted and successful, the grant is divided equally between the two applicants.
If a final project budget shows a surplus of more than $250, the excess may need to be repaid to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).

Eligible projects & activities

Creation and production of new works in any artistic discipline.
Presentation of artistic works, including concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and literary readings.
Skills and career development initiatives for artists, such as workshops, conferences, seminars, and mentorships.
Community-engaged arts projects, including collaborations, residencies, and creative initiatives involving community members.
Publishing projects for eligible arts or literary books or magazines, including editorial, production, marketing, and promotion activities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 15,000

Developing hybrid community education program for adult literacy centre

$ 30,000

Scaling up production and packaging for local eco-friendly cleaning brand

$ 42,000

Launching inclusive employment program for adults with disabilities

$ 87,500

Purchasing electric delivery vans for local food distribution initiative

$ 12,000

Implementing digital booking and POS systems for artisan bakery

$ 95,000

Retrofitting building for energy efficiency at urban housing co-op

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Northern Arts Projects program

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

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Northern Arts Projects program

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.

How to apply to the OAC — Northern Arts Projects program

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.

Additional information

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.