Arts Organizations in Communities and Schools: Operating
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.
Purpose
This program supports the ongoing operations of Ontario-based, not-for-profit community-engaged arts organizations working in Ontario communities or schools.
Priorities
The program’s priorities are to support organizations that:
- generate and host high-quality, innovative work that cultivates a rich engagement between artists and participants or communities
- implement strategies to reduce or eliminate barriers to public engagement in the arts
- engage Ontario artists to work with communities and schools
Deadline dates
April 3, 2024, 1 p.m. ET - In 2024, this program is in year 1 of a three-year cycle and is accepting new applicants.
- Applications are available in Nova about two months before the deadline.
- Financial and statistical reports must be submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC) before the deadline.
- Grant notification will be available about five months after the deadline.
Important:- After this year, 2027 will be the next deadline open to new applicants to this program.
- Potential new applicants (organizations that did not receive a grant from this program last year) must contact the program officer at least one month before the deadline to request approval to apply. This process will involve one or more discussions between OAC and the potential applicant to determine its eligibility to and fit with the program, what grant amount to request, and other particulars.
Recent changes
The application questions and evaluation rubric have been reworked to better align with OAC’s current strategic plan.
Eligible applicants
- Ontario-based, not-for-profit corporations, or national not-for-profit corporations with the head office in Ontario.
- Organizations must have:
- at least $75,000 in total revenues for the last fiscal year, and in projected revenues for the current and requested years (for applicants not currently receiving funding from this program)
- at least two years of sustained, regular, ongoing programming, as of the application date. If your organization does not meet this requirement, consider applying for project funding
- a range of revenue sources
- an active board of directors/governing body
Read the Guide to OAC Operating Programs for more eligibility information.
Ineligible applicants
- non-arts organizations
- organizations whose mandate and/or activity does not address access to the arts by underserved communities
- municipalities, colleges and/or universities
- organizations whose primary mode of participant engagement is one-on-one activity
To apply
Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this about two months before the deadline.
Before applying, you must:
Your application includes:
- your answers to the application questions
- financial and statistical information submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC)
- financial statements for your organization’s last completed year, uploaded to CADAC.
- artistic examples: community-engaged arts examples and professional artist examples for artists facilitating programming
- support documents: links to online communications showing how you promote your programming to the public (for example websites, social media)
Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.
For information on how assessors rate applications see the Evaluation Rubric - Operating Programs.