The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) uses performance tracking tools to understand the difference that public arts funding makes in Ontario. They also help us stay aligned with our mission, vision and values (see
About Us).
This page explains OAC’s performance measurement tools, including its logic models, performance measures, and performance indicators.
Note: OAC is currently modernizing its grant programs. During this transition, it is using two sets of performance tracking tools: one for the
Ontario Arts Operating Fund, and one for everything else we do. Read the descriptions of the tools on this page for more information.
For project grant programs and OAC overall: logic model and performance measurement framework (2014 through 2026)
The performance measurement framework introduced in 2014 continues to be used to assess OAC project grant programs and OAC’s overall impact. This framework will remain in place until the end of 2026.
Logic model and performance measurement framework
As part of the 2014 framework, OAC developed a logic model that shows how OAC activities contribute to public value: from short- and mid-term outcomes through to long-term impacts on Ontario’s economy, society and culture. The logic model reflects OAC’s strategic plan,
Vital Arts and Public Value: A Blueprint for 2014-2020, and is the foundation of OAC’s performance measurement framework.
OAC’s performance measures are short-term outcomes that:
- can be clearly attributed to OAC activities,
- can be feasibly measured every year, and
- help to guide decisions and build understanding about how OAC is achieving its goals.
By collecting performance measurement data on short-term outcomes, OAC gains evidence about its progress and contributions to longer term impacts.
OAC updates its performance measures report annually to track results against the indicators and targets for each measure.
Read the logic model and performance measures, 2014 through 2026 (PDF)
For the Ontario Arts Operating Fund: new logic model and performance measurement framework (2026-)
As OAC modernizes its grant programs, the performance measurement framework is being extended with program-specific logic models and performance measures.
This approach currently applies to the Ontario Arts Operating Fund only. Each new or modernized program will soon have its own logic model and performance measures that build on OAC’s existing framework. These additions will be posted on this page as they are finalized.
Over time, the expanded framework will fully replace the 2014 framework, with the transition expected to be complete by early 2027.
Logic model
The
logic model for the Ontario Arts Operating Fund is part of OAC’s new performance measurement framework and builds on the 2014 approach.
The previous logic model was based on the four central goals of a particular strategic plan (2014-2020). In contrast, the new logic model looks at results across four broad performance areas – artistic, economic, social and operational – which reflect the key benefits of the arts to the province. This means the new logic model can remain in use for much longer.
| Inputs |
Activities |
Outputs |
Short-term outcomes |
Intermediate outcomes |
Long-term outcomes |
Impacts |
| Maximization of public contribution to the arts through
provincial government investment and other sources of funding |
Example: Grantmaking to arts organizations |
Examples: Grants awarded; public events and exhibitions funded |
Example: Vital support for Ontario arts organizations to create,
produce, present and engage |
Example: Arts activities are of excellent quality, challenge the
field, and influence the practice of others |
Example: Individuals, communities and businesses are more engaged
in arts, culture and civic life |
Increased community engagement, quality of life, economic
prosperity, jobs and tourism through the arts for Ontarians |
| Responsive and informed systems, programs, and processes for
public arts funding and internal operations |
Example: Peer assessment, staff knowledge and expertise |
Example: Strategically allocated human and financial resources |
Example: Increased impact of funded programs |
Example: Stronger local arts ecosystems and enhanced visibility
of local artists |
Example: The Ontario arts sector is resilient, engaged, dynamic,
and confident |
Knowledge exchange to support greater
capacity and innovation in the arts sector, including arts education and learning |
| Equitable and inclusive distribution of public arts funding
in all regions of the province |
Example: Funding strategies that prioritize equity, diversity,
inclusion and access |
Example: Dashboards or reports showing transparent funding
allocation |
Example: Increased access to arts funding |
Example: More inclusive arts programming and diverse leadership
in the arts |
Example: OAC maintains strong, reciprocal and sustained
relationships with diverse artists and audiences |
Equitable access and inclusive funding practices in the arts
across Ontario |
| Sustainable partnerships, outreach and communications |
Example: Capacity-building projects funded through partnerships |
Example: Reports co-developed and public outreach activities
conducted |
Example: More public knowledge and engagement of arts programs
and funding opportunities |
Example: Collaborations between public institutions, artists and
organizations |
Example: Ontario artists and arts organizations gain global
visibility and recognition |
Strategic development of Ontario's arts sector, and growth of
Ontario’s brand and reputation through the arts – provincially, nationally,
internationally |
| Accountable and responsible public service delivery |
Example: Streamlining of procedures and adoption of technologies |
Example: Online platform for grant applications processing and
timely results |
Example: Improved organizational efficiency and responsiveness |
Example: Reduced waste and less duplication of efforts |
Example: Stakeholders are satisfied with OAC services |
Sustained trust and credibility with the public and stakeholders |
Performance areas and objectives
Each of the four
performance areas noted above has a related
objective. Together, they describe what OAC aims to achieve through the Ontario Arts Operating Fund.
Artistic
OAC fosters a dynamic and inclusive arts ecosystem by investing in artists and arts organizations who create, produce, and present highly impactful artistic work and services. This investment supports both innovation and wide audience appeal, and amplifies Ontario’s artistic voices both at home and abroad.
Economic
OAC drives economic growth by investing in sustainable arts employment, activating local economies, attracting cultural tourism, and contributing to Ontario’s GDP.
Social
OAC strengthens community well-being and social cohesion by supporting inclusive, culturally relevant, and accessible arts activities. These foster meaningful participation and a sense of belonging, ultimately improving quality of life.
Operational
OAC and the arts organizations it supports enhance sector sustainability through efficient, accountable, and responsive service delivery. They achieve this by streamlining processes, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring equitable access to continuously improve public trust.
Performance measures and indicators
Each performance area includes several related
performance measures. A performance measure describes a specific type of result OAC wants to achieve through the Ontario Arts Operating Fund.
- For example, “Support for new works” is a performance measure in the “Artistic” performance area, and “Opportunities for Ontarians to participate in arts learning” is a performance measure in the “Social” performance area.
The Ontario Arts Operating Fund’s
evaluation rubric is based on these four performance areas, objectives and measures. This means that if an organization is performing well according to OAC’s performance measures, it should also perform well in peer assessment.
Each performance measure is tracked using one or more
performance indicators. Indicators refer to the specific data points OAC collects to understand results. The data is collected from different sources, including certain questions in the Ontario Arts Operating Fund application; financial and statistical data in
CADAC (Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada); and the
Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM).
Here are performance measures and indicators for the Ontario Arts Operating Fund.
Artistic
- Artistic quality with wide audience appeal
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients that create, produce, present or distribute artistic work or services for the arts community that appeal(s) to wide audiences or a wide range of participants
- Recognition and profile
- Total number (#) of significant awards and nominations received locally, provincially, nationally and internationally
- Total number (#) of invitations to create or present work (for example, commissions, residencies, presentations and touring opportunities)
- Total number (#) of significant earned media stories reported by local, provincial, national and international news outlets
- Number (#) of showcases OAC operating grant recipients participated in that supported market development opportunities
- Support for new works
- Total number (#) of new artistic works presented or exhibited by organizations created by or commissioned from Canadian artists
- Transformation in artistic practice
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients that engage in creation, introduction of new forms, cross-disciplinary work, or interdisciplinary approaches
- Sector knowledge exchange
- Total number (#) of conferences hosted, organized or presented by OAC operating grant recipients
- Total number (#) of publications, including newsletters and professional development resources
- Total number (#) of requests for access to collections
- Partnerships among arts organizations
- Total number (#) of 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
- Diversity and inclusion in OAC applications and funding
- Per cent (%) of the total number (#) of applications to OAC from arts organizations that have a mandate to serve: artists of colour; Deaf artists and artists with disabilities; Francophone artists; Indigenous artists; new generation artists (18-30 years); and artists living in regions outside Toronto
- Per cent (%) of total number (#) of OAC grants to arts organizations that have a mandate to serve: artists of colour; Deaf artists and artists with disabilities; Francophone artists; Indigenous artists; new generation artists (18-30 years); and artists living in regions outside Toronto
- Funding of arts organizations in all parts of the province
- Per cent (%) of Ontario census divisions with OAC operating grant recipients
- Number (#) of OAC operating grant recipient activities by OAC region
- Per cent (%) of total number (#) of applications in each geographic region
- Opportunities for people outside Ontario to experience Ontario artists and arts organizations
- Total number (#) of public activities and events produced by OAC operating grant recipients and toured nationally (outside Ontario) and internationally
- Total (# people) audience for events toured nationally (outside Ontario) and internationally
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients touring outside of Ontario
- Total number (#) of books or magazine issues (in print, digital, or audio) sold to libraries outside Ontario
Economic
- Employment and income for arts professionals in Ontario
- Total number (#) of artists and arts professionals paid (fees or salaries) by OAC operating grant recipients
- Total amount ($) of income paid to artists and arts professionals by OAC operating grant recipients
- Number (#) of full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs for artists and arts professionals in organizations receiving operating grants from OAC
- Number (#) of full-time seasonal and part-time jobs for artists and arts professionals in organizations receiving operating grants from OAC
- Number (#) of OAC-funded operating grant recipients that recognize and apply professional sectoral wage and working condition standards for artists and arts workers
- Economic impact of OAC operating grant recipients
- Gross domestic product (GDP) ($) impact of OAC operating grant recipients
- Earned revenue as total ($) and as per cent (%) of total revenue for each of the past five years, and projected earned revenue as total ($) and as per cent (%) of projected total revenue for the current year and next year
- Private revenue as total ($) and as per cent (%) of total revenue for each of the past five years, and projected private revenue as total ($) and as per cent (%) of projected total revenue for the current year and next year
- Earned revenue of OAC operating grant recipients
- Per cent (%) of total revenue from customers (for example, ticket sales, box office, subscriptions, and memberships)
- Per cent (%) of total revenue from arts education activities (for example, fees from workshops, classes, and conferences)
- Per cent (%) of total revenue from touring and presenting activities
- Per cent (%) of total revenue from sales, commissions, and other earned revenue
- Ontario arts tourism impact*
- Funding of grants and services that increase skills and capacity
- Number (#) of artists and arts professionals who attend training, skill development, convening events, etc. supported or provided by OAC operating grant recipients
- Number (#) of training and skill development activities, including convening events, supported and provided by OAC operating grant recipients
- Per cent (%) of total number (#) of OAC operating grants allocated for training and skill development
- Access to cultural space and equipment
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients that manage artistic or cultural real estate (owned or rented) and make it accessible to artists and arts organizations as appropriate
- Number (#) of organizations providing accessible cultural space
- Number (#) of weeks per year that organizations provide venue or cultural space access to other organizations and artists
- Total number (#) of requests for access to equipment
Social
- Opportunities for Ontarians to experience and participate in the arts
- Number (#) of public activities and events produced by OAC-funded artists and organizations in their home communities
- Total audience (# people) for public activities produced by OAC operating grant recipients for home community events in Ontario
- Number (#) of touring public activities and events produced in Ontario by OAC operating grant recipients
- Total audience (# people) for touring public activities and events produced in Ontario by OAC operating grant recipients
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients touring in Ontario
- Number (#) of books or issues (print, digital, audio) sold to Ontario-based libraries (both public and institutional)
- Total (# readership and sales) readership for publishers that receive OAC operating grants
- Public awareness of the impact of arts on quality of life in Ontario*
- Ontario cultural asset index*
- Demographics and region of audiences attending OAC operating grant recipients’ activities*
- Partnerships and community engagement beyond the arts sector
- Number (#) of partnerships between arts organizations and businesses or community organizations
- Number (#) of schools, libraries, and civic partners engaged
- Number (#) of volunteers
- Total (#) of volunteer hours
- Research and reporting
- Number (#) of research reports developed, co-developed or funded
- Opportunities for Ontarians to participate in arts learning
- Per cent (%) of total number (#) of OAC grants that provide funding specifically for arts learning
- Per cent (%) of OAC grant recipients that offer arts learning as part of ongoing activities
- Number (#) of events by OAC operating grant recipients that offer opportunities for arts learning
- Number (#) of participants (adults / youth) in all arts learning events by OAC operating grant recipients
Operational
- Impact of OAC’s funding on Ontario’s arts sector
- Per cent (%) of operating grant recipients that rate OAC grants as crucial for their work (indicator not used for assessment)
- Accessible services score
- Per cent (%) of OAC operating grant recipients with an accessibility plan or policy
* Details to be provided as part of 2027-2028 funding program.