[Skip to Content]
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Grants Advanced Search
Grants Advanced Search

Media Arts Projects

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

The program supports not-for-profit organizations and ad hoc groups, collectives that present, document or disseminate the work of professional Ontario media artists, or that provide media artists with professional development opportunities. The program has three categories:

  • Presentation
  • Professional Development
  • Publication

Priorities

The program gives priority to projects that support independent media arts, and Canadian artists and artworks.

Deadline dates

March 14, 2024, 1 p.m. ET

  • The application form will be available in Nova about two months before the deadline.
  • You will find out whether you got a grant about four and a half months after the deadline.

Grant amount(s)

  • Presentation: maximum $15,000
  • Professional Development: maximum $15,000
  • Publication: maximum $15,000

Important: Due to the number of applications received and the limited funds available, grants awarded may be smaller than the amount requested.

Recent changes

  • The application questions and evaluation rubric have been reworked to better align with OAC’s current strategic plan.
  • Maximum grant amounts have been increased from $10,000 to $15,000.

Eligible applicants

  • Ontario-based organizations, ad hoc groups and collectives
  • media arts organizations, ad hoc groups and collectives that have a history of, or expertise in, media arts programming
  • organizations working in other arts disciplines that undertake media arts projects
    • You must show evidence of media arts expertise through the arts professionals directly involved in the project, or through the expertise of an advisory committee of media arts professionals.

Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.

Ineligible applicants

  • individuals
  • organizations that receive a grant in the Media Arts Organization: Operating program
  • organizations that receive an operating grant in other OAC programs, with the exception of organizations mandated to serve one or more of the OAC priority groups
  • municipalities, universities and colleges (including private career colleges)

Important: Organizations applying as new applicants in the Media Arts Organizations: Operating program may apply only for projects taking place in their current fiscal year.

What this program funds

  • media art screening and presentation
  • workshops, conferences, seminars and other activities that contribute to the professional development of media artists and/or artists from other disciplines who are developing a media arts practice
  • creation and production of documentation, catalogues and other publications that develop the field and the critical theories on media arts practice

This program also supports:

  • childcare and other dependant care fees enabling individuals to take part in the project (this does not include regular, ongoing expenses)
  • expenses related to making the project accessible to audience members and project participants (other than the applicant) who are Deaf or have a disability
    • Note: Applicants to this program who identify as Deaf or as having a disability may apply for supplementary funds for their own accessibility expenses through Accessibility Fund: Project Support.

Important: Presentation projects must include the payment of appropriate professional fees to artists, such as fees for exhibition, reproduction, lectures and workshops. The recommended minimum fee schedule are available at the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) or Canadian Artists’ Representation/Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC). Artists’ travel and accommodation costs, per diems and catalogues are not considered substitutes for fees to artists for presenting their work.

What this program does not fund

  • creation/production projects, commissioning projects, artist residencies, and other activities intended for the creation of new work
  • workshops for youth or non-professionals (see Artists in Communities and Schools Projects)
  • tours (see Touring and Circulation Projects)
  • prizes, awards or competitions
  • major capital expenditures, including buying, leasing or renovating buildings and purchase of major equipment
  • fundraising activities

Activity timing

The activities for which you are requesting funding:

  • cannot start before you receive your grant results
  • must be completed no more than two years after you receive the grant results

In this program, organizations can only receive one grant per calendar year.

Final report requirements

If you receive a grant, you must complete the project and submit a final report in Nova. See Terms and Conditions – receipt of OAC project grant funds for more information on reporting obligations.


In your final report, you will need to provide:

  • a description of the project undertaken and its outcomes, including details on any approved or minor changes to what had been outlined in the application
  • a final budget
    • If the budget you submit shows a surplus of more than $250 (revenues as compared to expenses), you may be required to repay the surplus amount to OAC.
  • documentation and/or an explanation of how you followed or will follow OAC’s Recognition Requirements for Project Grant Recipients
    • This should include samples of any promotional or other materials produced for the project that show the OAC and Government of Ontario logos. Read logo guidelines
    • This could also include social media screenshots or a description of how you recognized OAC or plan to do so in future activities or materials tied to the project.

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, be sure to:

Your application will include:

  • basic information about the project
  • your answers to application questions
  • a project budget
  • artistic examples: audiovisual (maximum 10 minutes)
  • support documents: programs, catalogues, critical writing, press and promotional items

Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.


For information on how assessors rate applications see the Guide to OAC Assessment and the Evaluation Rubric – Activity Projects.


For details on creating a profile or submitting an application in Nova, see the Nova User Guide.