If you are interested in inviting an artist or arts organization to work with your community or in your school you can refer to these resources. If you are an artist or arts organization, you are encouraged to complete a profile on these sites as applicable. If you are aware of other resources, please email the Program Administrator.
Until this program opens in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online granting system, program information may change. This includes deadline dates and specific information on eligibility. Be sure to visit this page after the program opens in Nova, but before starting your application.
The program supports the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects. Activities involve professional Ontario artists and community members working together to develop and design a creative experience. These experiences may include co-creation. Skill building is a core component of projects. There are three categories:
The program is committed to developing the field of community-engaged arts. Additional funds are available to any category to help cover the cost of mentorship of artists from OAC priority groups looking to build skills and experience in project planning and/or facilitation as part of a community-engaged arts project.
The program’s priorities are to support projects that:
Important: Non-arts organizations, schools run by First Nations or Indigenous education authorities, and school boards must have an arts partner. The arts partner can be an artist, art collective, ad hoc arts group, or arts organization.
Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.
Important: Organizations applying as new applicants in the Arts Organizations in Communities and Schools: Operating program may apply only for projects taking place in their current fiscal year
The following are not eligible to apply to the Two-Year Project category:
Note: If granted a two-year project, organizations cannot re-apply to this program until the final report is approved.
Important: There is specific funding in the program for artists and health care collaborations. To be eligible for this funding, there must be a partnership between an arts partner and a government-funded health care facility (e.g. hospital, community health centre, long-term care facility, mental health and addictions services).
The activities for which you are requesting funding:
If you receive a grant you must submit a final report upon completion of the project. See Terms and Conditions — receipt of OAC project grant funds for more information on reporting obligations. Complete and submit the report in Nova.
Final reports for this program require grant recipients to provide:
Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this approximately two months before the deadline.
Before applying, you must:
Your application includes:
Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.
For information on how assessors rate applications see the Evaluation Rubric – Community-Engaged Projects.
For help creating a profile or submitting an application in Nova, see the Nova User Guide.
Access: People, regardless of geographic, racial, social, economic or physical realities have equal opportunity to experience the arts and participate in cultural life.
Co-creation: A process to create a final product where non-artists and professional artist(s) work side-by-side and have equal input and impact on the outcome.