
OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects
grant_single|update May 23, 2025
ON, Canada
Supports audience development for professional arts presentations outside Toronto
grant_single_labels_website|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels_website|preview
The Ontario Arts Presenters Projects grant provides up to $7,500 for volunteer-led arts organizations and collectives, and up to $5,000 for municipalities, colleges, and universities located outside Toronto. The program supports the presentation of professional artists and related audience engagement activities in regions with limited access to professional arts events.
grant_single_labels_website|terms_and_conditions
- Maximum grant of $7,500 for volunteer-led organizations, ad hoc groups, and collectives.
- Maximum grant of $5,000 for municipalities, colleges, and universities.
- Grants awarded may be less than the requested amount due to high application volume and limited funds.
- If the final project budget shows a surplus greater than $250, the surplus must be repaid to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).
grant_single_labels_website|projects
- Presentation of professional artists in disciplines such as dance, literature, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and craft to public audiences in communities outside Toronto.
- Organization of associated audience engagement activities connected to professional arts presentations.
- Hosting performances, exhibitions, readings, or screenings by professional artists as part of festivals or series.
- Participation in touring circuits or presenter networks that coordinate the presentation of artists or arts groups.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 34,000
Creating a shared co-working space for local artists and designers
$ 78,000
Launching a mobile farmers’ market with refrigerated delivery van
$ 49,000
Establishing an affordable after-school STEM program for youth
$ 35,000
Launching a community composting program with urban compost bins
$ 21,000
Modernizing a restaurant’s ordering process with digital kiosks
$ 69,000
Upgrading bakery’s production line with new energy-efficient ovens
grant_single_labels_website|admissibility
- The applicant must be based in Ontario and located outside of Toronto.
- Eligible applicants include volunteer-led ad hoc groups and collectives (with no paid management or programming/curation staff), not-for-profit arts organizations (volunteer-led with no paid management or programming/curation staff), municipalities, colleges, and universities.
- The project must focus on presenting professional artists in OAC-funded disciplines (dance, literature, media arts, multi and inter-arts, music, theatre, visual arts and craft) and offer associated audience engagement activities.
- Presentations must be open to public audiences and take place in Ontario, outside Toronto.
- Applicants must contact the program officer at least two weeks before the deadline to confirm eligibility.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Volunteer-led not-for-profit arts organizations located outside of Toronto
- Ad hoc groups and collectives led by volunteers, located outside of Toronto
- Ontario-based municipalities (outside Toronto)
- Ontario-based colleges and universities (outside Toronto)
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Organizations that receive an Ontario Arts Council (OAC) operating grant.
- Ad hoc groups and collectives composed mainly of students.
- Ad hoc groups and collectives composed of professional artists or arts professionals.
- Toronto-based ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Artists’ presentation fees, including those related to non-Ontario artists presented for Ontario audiences.
- Artists’ travel, transportation, per diems, and accommodation.
- Production costs, such as rentals.
- Purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics, and similar materials required for the project.
- Marketing and promotional costs specific to the festival, event, or series.
- Childcare and other dependent care fees enabling participation in the project (excluding regular, ongoing expenses).
- Expenses to make the project accessible to audience members and participants who are Deaf or have a disability (not including the applicant).
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Ontario regions outside of Toronto (all Ontario-based addresses except those with a postal code beginning with ‘M’)
grant_single_labels_website|apply
- Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesRead the Guide to OAC Project Programs to understand basic eligibility requirements and restrictions.
- Consult application resources such as the Guide to OAC Assessment and the Nova User Guide.
- Step 2: Contact the Program OfficerContact the designated program officer (Maura Broadhurst) at least two weeks before the deadline, and ideally 1-2 months in advance, to confirm eligibility and program fit.
- Receive confirmation of eligibility and access to the application form in Nova.
- Step 3: Create or Update Nova ProfileCreate or update your organization’s profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant system.
- Step 4: Prepare Application DocumentsGather required project information, including project description, application questions, project budget, and budget notes.
- Collect artistic examples (at least one, maximum three), such as video, audio, images, or manuscripts related to the artists or groups to be presented.
- Prepare support documents, including biographies of key artists or histories of arts groups, and website (optional).
- Step 5: Complete and Submit Application in NovaLog in to Nova and access the application form.
- Fill in all required sections with project and applicant information.
- Upload all required attachments and support documents.
- Submit the completed application through Nova before the official deadline (February 13, 2025, 1 p.m. ET).
- Step 6: Await NotificationExpect to receive notification on grant results approximately four and a half months after the deadline.
- Step 7: Complete Final ReportingIf awarded, complete the funded project within two years of receiving results.
- Submit a final report in Nova including a project description, outcomes, final budget, and documentation demonstrating recognition of the OAC and Government of Ontario.
grant_single_labels_website|otherInfo
- Applicants must contact the program officer at least two weeks before the deadline, ideally 1–2 months prior, to confirm eligibility, regardless of prior application history.
- Programming does not need to be finalized at the application deadline; applicants should describe the artistic vision guiding proposed activities.
- Grant amounts awarded may be less than the amount requested due to limited funding and application volume.
- Applicants with accessibility needs may apply for supplemental funds via the Accessibility Fund: Project Support.
grant_single_labels_website|contact
mbroadhurst@arts.on.ca
416-646-7467
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