Purpose
The program supports projects that bring together Ontario-based Indigenous artists or Elders to:
- work with individuals or groups of people from a community on collaborative activities that create a meaningful arts experience and transmit artistic skills and knowledge
- teach arts workshops in schools during the upcoming school year, engaging children and youth in creative, active, hands-on and in-depth arts experiences
The program has five categories:
- Community arts projects: to help cover the costs of participatory activities that promote learning, collaboration and/or engagement in the arts
- Indigenous languages through the arts: to help cover the costs of artistic and community-engaged projects in which the primary purpose is the transmission of Indigenous languages through the arts
- Training for community artists and animators: to help cover the costs of Indigenous artists and animators working in community and non-arts settings to seek training and mentorship opportunities that will strengthen their community arts, arts training or arts education practice
- Indigenous artists in schools projects: to help cover the costs of activities that promote learning, collaboration and/or engagement in the arts
- Indigenous artists in northern fly-in communities: supports (a) applicants from fly-in communities working anywhere in Ontario, and (b) applicants from anywhere in Ontario working in fly-in communities
Note: Applicants may apply to only one category.
Deadline dates
April 12 and October 18, 2023, 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 each deadline.
Important: Individuals have the option to apply orally to this program. For more information or to apply, call 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7401.
Grant amount(s)
- Community arts projects: maximum $15,000
- Indigenous languages through the arts: maximum $15,000
- Training for community artists and animators: maximum $15,000
- Indigenous artists in schools projects: maximum $15,000
- Indigenous artists in northern Ontario fly-in communities: maximum $17,000
Eligible applicants
- professional artists and Elders who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and are Ontario residents
- ad hoc group and collectives comprised of individuals, of whom at least 50 per cent identify as Indigenous
- not-for-profit Indigenous organizations, centres and councils
- Elders and language/knowledge keepers who are engaged in an artistic practice
- Helpers may be co-applicants or named in the project and included in the budget
- Ontario schools run by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities, applying to bring in Indigenous artists
- part-time teachers
- Note: They may only apply for a project happening at the school where they are employed if a letter from the school is provided stating that they are doing the project outside of employment hours.
- applicants must be Ontario residents
Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.
Ineligible applicants
- students
- municipalities, colleges and universities
- teachers employed full-time by a school board, private school, or a school run by a First Nation or First Nation education authority during the period of time the project will take place
What this program funds
- community-engaged co-creation, production, exhibitions and presentations, in all arts disciplines
- workshop series, art camps, summer programs, experiential arts learning activities and after-school art programs
- community-based arts activities held in schools, community centres, health centres, home studios, galleries, site specific and on the land
- training for artists who wish to improve their skills and work in community settings
- hands-on workshops in schools that engage students in a creative process
- fees and expenses for Elders and language/knowledge keepers who are engaged in an artistic practice, and helpers
- mentorship of emerging Indigenous artist educators, aged between 18 and 30
- preparation time, insurance, vulnerable-sector checks, administrative activities of artists.
- transportation, accommodations and meals, materials and supplies, and equipment rental (if applicable)
- purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics and similar materials required to carry out the project
- 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 audiences 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.
What this program does not fund
- events or activities that take place outside of Ontario
- fundraising activities
- major capital expenditures, including buying, leasing or renovating buildings and purchase of major equipment
- talent shows
- school board costs beyond artists fees and travel
- non-arts partner staff or administrative activities
- faculty or student projects associated with their research, course work or studies
Activity timing
The activities for which you are requesting funding:
- cannot start before the deadline
- cannot finish before you receive your grant results
- must be completed no more than two years after you receive the grant
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: up to two audio/video examples (maximum of three minutes each), writing samples (maximum five pages) or images (maximum 10). These videos may help you:
- support documents
- artist/ elder résumés or bios
- commitment letters from each school or community partner involved (for artist applicants), or from each artist (for other applicants)
- letter of confirmation – from school stating that you are doing the grant project during hours that you are not employed by the school, if you will be employed as a teacher on a part-time basis at the school hosting the project
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.
Program-specific definitions
Indigenous: individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit
Community can be defined by geography (city, town, First Nation), or by a group of people who have a common interest, bond or experience
Northern fly-in communities: communities in northern Ontario where access is only by air or by a seasonal winter road, and for which there is no year-round road access