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Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
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Contact

Daniel Carter

Officer
416-969-7425
Toll-free in Ontario: ​​​​​​​1-800-387-0058

Lucy Gouveia

Program Administrator
416-969-7432
Toll-free in Ontario: ​​​​​1-800-387-0058

Theatre Organizations: Operating

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 the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, professional theatre organizations in Ontario.

Priorities

The program’s priority is to support organizations that demonstrate a consistent commitment to Canadian work.

Deadline date(s)

April 8 and November 4, 2025, 1 p.m. ET

  • In 2025, this program is in year 2 of a three-year cycle.
  • 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 each deadline.
Important:
  • Potential new applicants (organizations that did not receive a grant from this program last year) must contact the program officer at least one month before the deadline to request approval to apply. This process will involve one or more discussions between OAC and the potential applicant to determine its eligibility to and fit with the program, what grant amount to request, and other particulars.

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 $75,000 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

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 apply online in Nova about two months before the deadline.


Before applying, you must:

Your application includes:

Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.


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