Grant Recognition Resources
OAC has prepared templates and tips to assist with recognition requirements.
These include items to assist you in connecting with your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), who is your provincially elected representative and a member of your community. By using these resources, you can help them learn about and understand the important impact of your work and the arts in your community.
Words that are bolded and in square brackets –
[like this] – are placeholders for you to update with your own text, links or social media handles.
General resources for all grant recipients
Speaking points if your MPP contacts you about your grant
To guide you during your call, here are three things to remember:
- Thank them for the grant for your organization and for supporting the arts in your community.
- Speak to the importance of the arts in your community by referencing available stats on OAC’s website about the impact of the arts in Ontario.
- In order to build rapport, establish next steps:
- Organizations that produce tours, or other in-person events
- Inform the MPP that you will be following up with them by inviting them to attend an upcoming production, tour, or event.
- Organizations without event opportunities
- Request to schedule a meeting with the MPP to discuss the work that you do and the impact that it has.
Speaking points on the impact of the arts to include in your own materials (i.e. speeches, news releases)
To help illustrate funding impact, OAC has compiled these statistics for your organization to include in speaking notes.
We recommend also speaking to the importance of the arts in your own words by answering the following questions:
- Why does OAC funding matter to you?
- How does OAC funding make a difference for you, your community or both?
Recognizing your grant on social media
- Use the insert titled “Why does OAC funding matter to you?” provided in the envelope you received with your grant cheque and follow the directions.
- If you did not receive the insert, use any regular piece of paper (or another creative avenue) to share how OAC funding is making a difference for you, your community or both. Take a picture of what you wrote, then share it on social media.
- Other ideas for how to recognize your grant on social media:
- Take a photo of yourself and/or your funded work and explain how a grant from OAC makes a difference in your career or community.
- Make a short video of the artistic process of your work and explain how OAC funding helped you.
If you need some inspiration for your social media posts, here are some suggestions:
Thank you [@OAC] and [@yourMPP] for supporting the arts in our community! This grant has allowed [me/us] to …
This production/project would not have been possible without the funding received from OAC. Thank you [@OAC] and @yourMPP] for your support.
Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for awarding me a grant through [name of the program]. This support will help [me/us] to …
Tag the OAC
No matter which option you choose for your recognition post, tag OAC and your local MPP so we can reshare them!
For organizations that produce events
Template email to invite an MPP to your OAC recognition event
Dear [MPP],
[I am / we are] writing to you as [a constituent of / an organization based in] [name of riding]. [I / we] are excited to share with you that [I’ve / we have] received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the Government of Ontario.
First, [I / we] would like to express our appreciation for provincial support for the arts, which has a significant return on investment in communities like ours. [Note about what your OAC funding has/will enable you to achieve.]
[I / we] would therefore be honoured if you could join us at one of [my / our] upcoming events. [Details about the event, including date, time and location.]
The event will be highlighting our OAC funding, and we would be delighted to have you attend and provide remarks. If you would like to accept this invitation, please let us know by [deadline for confirming attendance].
Thank you for supporting the arts in our community. [I / we] look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
Template news release to announce your OAC recognition event
[name of your organization]’s upcoming event [name of production] will include a special component recognizing provincial arts funding through the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) – an agency of the Government of Ontario that supports the arts for the benefit of all Ontarians.
The event will be taking place on [date, time] at [location].
[If attendance by MPP / OAC staff or board is confirmed, please include.]
We are delighted to be welcoming [MPP] / [OAC staff / board member] who will provide remarks on behalf of the Government of Ontario and the OAC.
[Quote from your organization about the event and about OAC funding.]
[Quote from your MPP about the impact of the arts and of OAC funding in your community.]
[Note whether a photo or video opportunity will be provided.]
Template social media post to announce your OAC recognition event
Our upcoming event [name of event] will shine a spotlight on how provincial arts funding through the [@OAC] supports our work, and benefits communities across Ontario.
For organizations without event opportunities
Template email to request a meeting with an MPP
Dear [MPP],
My name is [your name], and I am a constituent in your riding. I am contacting you on behalf of [name of organization].
We recently received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) for the [upcoming operating year / specific project]. On behalf of the entire organization, thank you for your continued support for the arts in our community.
The return on Ontario’s investment in the arts is spectacular, including contributing to a strong economy, revitalizing Ontario communities and building local economic development and improving the overall quality of life for all Ontarians.
I would like to request a meeting with you to discuss how our organization impacts the lives of people in our community, and how the arts play a much larger role for all Ontarians. I would be happy to meet in person at a location that is convenient for you or virtually.
Thank you for considering this request and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Speaking points when attending a meeting with an MPP
Why are you meeting
- We’re here to share our experiences and stories about how the arts have an incredible impact on our lives and communities.
- Speak to why OAC funding matters to you, and how it makes a difference for you and your community.
- We’d like to talk to you about how you can show your support for the arts in your community.
About the Ontario Arts Council
- The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
- It provides funding to professional artists and non‐profit/non‐commercial arts organizations all across the province.
- Thanks to support from the Ontario Arts Council and other arts funders, our province has built a remarkable arts infrastructure, which in turn benefits Ontario’s communities, economy and quality of life.
Encourage connections
- Ask your MPP about the arts in their own life – for example, whether they have a creative hobby or a type of arts event they like attending. It’s a great conversation starter!
Share your story
- Share a story about your work in the arts has made an impact.
- Think of one specific example that illustrates the contribution and value of the arts in your community or the province. This could include a testimonial from a participant or audience member who connected with you about the impact of your work sharing an award or recognition you’ve received, or a positive mention in your local news media.
- Consider connecting your personal example to the collective benefits of the arts province-wide, using our statistics about the Impact of the Arts in Ontario.
Conclusion
- Let your MPP know that when they recognize and participate in arts activities and events, they send a vital message to their community – that the arts are valued and important.
- Conclude by inviting the MPP to attend an upcoming event if you have one, including offering a speaking opportunity, if applicable.