OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects

Q: How much funding can be received?

OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects Funds up to 7500% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects?

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

Q: Who is eligible for the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program?

To be eligible for the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program, you must: • No eligibility for for-profit businesses; only non-profits, volunteer-led groups, or public institutions qualify.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects?

You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at mbroadhurst@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-646-7467.

Q: Where is the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects available?

The OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program is available the province of ON.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports audience development for professional arts presentations outside Toronto

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $7,500

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

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.

Financing 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).

Activities funded

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 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

Eligibility

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.

Who is eligible?

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)

Who is not eligible

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.

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).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario regions outside of Toronto (all Ontario-based addresses except those with a postal code beginning with ‘M’)

How to 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.

Additional information

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.

Contacts

mbroadhurst@arts.on.ca

416-646-7467

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.