Major Organizations: Operating

Purpose

The program supports the ongoing operations for Ontario-based, not-for-profit, professional major arts organizations.

Deadline dates

• In 2022 this program is in year 3 of a three-year cycle and is accepting new applicants.
• Applications are available in Nova about 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 about five months after the deadline.

• Normally, OAC operating programs only accept new applicants in year one of their multi-year cycle. This year is an exception: all operating programs are open to new applicants in 2022.
• After this year, 2023 will be the next deadline open to new applicants to this program.
• New applicants must contact the program officer to discuss eligibility.

Recent changes

• After being paused last year, multi-year cycles have resumed for all operating programs. The timing of cycles for some programs has been adjusted. A program that was in year 1 in 2020 may now be in year 1 again, for example.

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 $15 million 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
• Major organizations must:
  • demonstrate national or international significance and profile, with international networks/relationships
  • be major employers of artists and other arts professionals
  • operate with multiple layers of staff and structures
  • offer varied and multifaceted programs of depth and breadth
  • serve large audience bases with multiple programming streams

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

Ineligible applicants

• non-arts organizations
• municipalities, colleges and/or universities

To apply

Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this about two months before the deadline.

Before applying, you must:

• read the Guide to OAC Operating Programs
• read the Guide to OAC Assessment
• contact the program officer to discuss eligibility (new applicants only)
• create or update your profile in Nova
• register for an account with CADAC (new applicants only)

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

Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.

For information on how assessors rate applications see the Evaluation Rubric - Operating Programs.