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
March 31, 2021, 1 p.m. ET - For 2021, the OAC has put a pause on the multi-year cycles of all operating programs. All current operating grant recipients will need to submit a streamlined application that will be reviewed by a panel of peers.
- The OAC will not be accepting new applicants to any operating programs in 2021. Once it is confirmed when this program is accepting new applicants, it will be noted here.
- Applications are available in Nova approximately 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 approximately five months after the deadline.
Recent changes
- Grant notification is now available approximately five months after the deadline.
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 approximately 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.