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Home Grants General Granting Information Guide to Operating Grants Evaluation Rubric — Ontario Arts Operating Fund

Evaluation Rubric — Ontario Arts Operating Fund

Assessors use the rubric below to evaluate applications to the Ontario Arts Operating Fund.


Since only organizations in year 1 of their three-year funding cycle are assessed, the rubric relates to the year 1 application questions.
 

Criteria

Artistic (30%)
Considerations Excellent
(5)		 Very Good
(4)		 Good
(3)		 Below Average
(2)		 Serious Concerns
(1)
How often does the organization create, produce, present or distribute artistic work or services for the arts community that appeal to wide audiences or a wide range of participants? Regularly engages in work that strongly appeals to wide audiences or a wide range of participants. Often engages in work that strongly appeals to wide audiences or a wide range of participants. Sometimes engages in work that appeals to wide audiences or a wide range of participants. Rarely engages in work that appeals to wide audiences or a wide range of participants. Never engages in work that appeal to wide audiences or a wide range of participants.
How often does the organization influence the arts sector through its work? Consider work that challenges the field, including creation or introduction of new forms, cross-disciplinary work, or interdisciplinary approaches. Regularly engages in work that challenges the field and influences the practice of others. Often engages in work that challenges the field and influences the practice of others. Sometimes engages in work that challenges the field and influences the practice of others. Rarely engages in work that challenges the field or influences the practice of others. Never engages in work that challenges the field or influences the practice of others.
To what extent are the artistic activities of the organization recognized by others? Consider media coverage, awards and nominations, and invited artistic opportunities such as commissions, residencies, showcases, touring, and presentations. Extensive media coverage, significant award recognition, or frequent artistic opportunities. Regular media coverage, some award recognition, or regular artistic opportunities. Some relevant media coverage or some artistic opportunities. Rare or not particularly relevant media coverage and few artistic opportunities. Irrelevant or no media coverage and no artistic opportunities.
To what extent does the organization develop or present Ontarian and Canadian artistic work? Prioritizes development or presentation of work by Ontarian and Canadian artists. Frequently develops or presents Ontarian and Canadian artistic work. Sometimes develops or presents Ontarian and Canadian artistic work. Rarely develops or presents Ontarian and Canadian artistic work. Never develops or presents Ontarian or Canadian artistic work.
How does the organization contribute to knowledge-sharing within the arts community? Consider publications (such as newsletters and directories), hosting conferences, and maintaining collections of artistic works. Vital contributor in this area, as shown by valuable publications, frequent conferences, or maintaining collections that are frequently accessed by other artists and arts organizations. Strong contributor in this area, as shown by publications, conferences, or maintaining collections that are often accessed by other artists and arts organizations. Contributor in this area, as shown by publications, conferences, or maintaining collections that are sometimes accessed by other artists and arts organizations. Occasional contributor in this area, as shown by publications, conferences, or maintaining collections that are rarely accessed by other artists and arts organizations. No contribution in this area, as shown by a lack of publications, conferences, or maintaining collections of artistic works.
To what extent is the organization embedded in the arts community? Consider partnerships with other arts organizations for creation or presentation of artistic work, research, marketing or activities that promote the value and impact of the arts. Deeply embedded in the arts community, as shown by appropriate , mutually beneficial and frequent partnerships. Embedded in the arts community, as shown by appropriate and frequent partnerships. Somewhat embedded in the arts community, as shown by appropriate and occasional partnerships. Not embedded in the arts community, with infrequent or inappropriate partnerships. No engagement with the arts community.
How often and with what reach does the organization present or distribute work nationally or internationally? Regularly presents or distributes work nationally or internationally that attracts high numbers of sales, audience members or participants. Often presents or distributes work nationally or internationally that attracts substantial numbers of sales, audience members or participants. Occasionally presents or distributes work nationally or internationally that attracts some sales, audience members or participants. Rarely presents or distributes work nationally or internationally, and when it does it attracts very few sales, audience members or participants. Never presents or distributes work nationally or internationally.
To what extent do the organization's activities, plans and strategies contribute to ensuring engagement of artists in one or more of Ontario's diverse arts communities, demographics, regions and artistic practices? Consider how the organization adds to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in the program category. Strongly contributes to ensuring this engagement and adds uniquely to EDIA in the program category. Significantly contributes to ensuring this engagement and adds significantly to EDIA in the program category. Contributes somewhat to ensuring this engagement and adds to EDIA in the program category. Contributes little to ensuring this engagement. Does not contribute to ensuring this engagement.
Economic (30%)
Considerations Excellent
(5)		 Very Good
(4)		 Good
(3)		 Below Average
(2)		 Serious Concerns
(1)
How does the organization pay fees and salaries and provide benefits to artists and arts workers? Consider professional sectoral wage and working condition standards, and the organization's budget priorities and policies. Prioritizes or champions high fees, salaries and extensive benefits. Pays and provides high fees and salaries and appropriate benefits. Pays and provides consistent and appropriate fees, salaries and benefits. Pays and provides inconsistent and sometimes inappropriate fees, salaries and benefits. Does not pay or provide appropriate fees, salaries or benefits.
What is the organization's economic impact, as shown by their GDP impact (TREIM) and their ratio of earned or private revenues to total revenue? Very high economic impact. High economic impact. Average economic impact. Below average economic impact. Low economic impact.
How appropriate is the organization's range of earned revenue sources? Appropriate range of earned revenue sources. Mostly appropriate range of earned revenue sources. Somewhat appropriate range of earned revenue sources. Mostly inappropriate range of earned revenue sources. Inappropriate range of earned revenue sources.
To what extent does the organization attract regional, national or international tourists? Also consider potential for attracting tourists, based on the organization's marketing strategies. Attracts very high numbers of tourists. Attracts high numbers of tourists. Attracts some tourists. Attracts few tourists. Attracts no or low numbers of tourists.
To what extent does the organization provide skills and capacity-building opportunities? Provides regular and highly relevant skills and capacity-building opportunities. Often provides relevant skills and capacity-building opportunities. Occasionally provides relevant skills and capacity-building opportunities. Rarely provides skills and capacity-building opportunities, or they are less relevant. Never provides skills and capacity-building opportunities.
Does the organization manage artistic space and equipment , and if so does it make them accessible for creation, rehearsal or presentation to artists and other arts organizations? Note: Organizations that do not manage space or equipment will not be penalized. Yes , and it regularly makes it available to others. Yes, and it often makes it available to others. N/A N/A N/A
Social (20%)
Considerations Excellent
(5)		 Very Good
(4)		 Good
(3)		 Below Average
(2)		 Serious Concerns
(1)
How effectively does the organization attract Ontario audiences and participants to its arts activities? For organizations that publish artistic work, consider readership , including subscriptions, sales and demand from Ontario libraries. Consistently attracts high numbers of Ontario audience members, participants or readers, and inspires them to return. Consistently attracts robust numbers of Ontario audience members, participants or readers. Consistently attracts adequate numbers of Ontario audience members, participants or readers. Attracts low or inconsistent numbers of Ontario audience members, participants or readers. Does not attract Ontario audience members, participants or readers.
How embedded is the organization in its community? Consider partnerships with community organizations or businesses, visibility in the community, or willingness of community members to become highly engaged with the organization (for example as volunteers). Deeply embedded in its community, as shown by frequent and appropriate partnerships, very high visibility, or very high community engagement. Embedded in its community as shown by some appropriate partnerships, high visibility, or high community engagement. Somewhat embedded in its community, as shown by occasional partnerships, some visibility or some community engagement. Not embedded in its community, with infrequent or inappropriate partnerships, little visibility and low community engagement. No engagement with its community.
How does the organization engage in and share research about the arts sector? Regularly engages in and shares vital research that deepens understanding of the arts sector and its impact. Often engages in and shares research about the arts sector and its impact. Sometimes engages in and shares research about the arts sector. Rarely engages in and sometimes shares research about the arts sector. Never engages in or shares research about the arts sector.
To what extent does the organization provide arts learning opportunities? Consider depth of experience, length of engagement, and number of participants. Provides frequent and meaningful arts learning opportunities. Often provides meaningful arts learning opportunities. Sometimes provides arts learning opportunities. Rarely provides arts learning opportunities. Never provides arts learning opportunities.
To what extent do the organization's activities engage audiences, participants and communities from one or more of Ontario's diverse arts communities, demographics and regions? Consider how the organization adds to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in the program category. Always engages and uniquely adds to EDIA in the program category. Often engages and significantly adds to EDIA in the program category. Sometimes engages and adds to EDIA in the program category. Rarely engages. Never engages.
Operational (20%)
Considerations Excellent
(5)		 Very Good
(4)		 Good
(3)		 Below Average
(2)		 Serious Concerns
(1)
What financial strategies and resources does the organization have? Consider how these will make it possible for the organization to achieve its plans and manage financial obligations, cash flow and risk. Sound financial strategies and sufficient resources. Sound financial strategies and sufficient resources. Reasonably sound financial strategies and a clear ability to obtain necessary resources. Vague or underdeveloped financial strategies and an unclear ability to obtain necessary resources. Unrealistic financial strategies and an inability to obtain necessary resources.
Are the organization's model, board and staffing structure appropriate to support its plans and activities? Yes, they are appropriate. Yes, they are appropriate. They are sufficient. No, they are inappropriate. No, they are inappropriate.
Are the skills and expertise of the organization's board and staff appropriate for its size and scope? Yes, they are appropriate. Yes, they are appropriate. They are sufficient. No, they are inappropriate. No, they are inappropriate.
How does the organization demonstrate commitment to the safety and well-being of its staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, audiences and participants? Consider the organization's internal structures, policies and processes. Strong commitment, as shown by robust internal structures, policies and processes. Appropriate commitment, as shown by appropriate internal structures, policies and processes. Sufficient commitment, as shown by adequate internal structures, policies and processes. Insufficient commitment, as shown by inadequate internal structures, policies and processes. Little to no commitment, as shown by a lack of internal structures, policies and processes.
To what extent are accessibility considerations for Deaf people and people with disabilities integrated into the planning of the organization's activities? Consider artists, arts workers, audiences and participants. Integrated into the planning of all activities. Integrated into the planning of all activities. Considered in the planning of some activities. Rarely considered in the planning of activities. Not considered in any planning.
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OAC Office Locations
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Toronto Location
121 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor Toronto, ON M4W 3M5
Thunder Bay Location
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario Arts Council


For more than 60 years, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. The OAC reached 27.4 million people through events and arts education activities across the province in 2021-22. In 2024-25, OAC invested its grant program budget of $52.2 million in 204 communities across 123 Ontario ridings, providing 1,969 grants to individual artists and 1,030 grants to organizations.

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