Artist Grants Ontario: 130 Grants, Loans & More for Artist Entrepreneurs

The program supports visual arts and crafts practices through grants to artists, curators, ad hoc groups, collectives and Francophone organizations in Ontario.

Toronto Arts Council’s Visual Artists Program: Creation provides support to visual artists who have a professional independent art practice for the creation/production of new work or the completion of works in progress. Funds are intended to cover direct costs of creation/production, and materials.

Visual Arts includes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, printmaking, performance art, installation and fine crafts and more. The Visual Artists Program does not include film or video makers: they apply to the Media Artists Program

The program supports professional Ontario-based visual artists to create new work and to continue work in progress. The program aims to reflect the range of artistic practices in the visual arts, and to support excellence, regional activity, diverse artists and communities.

Book publishers are invited to submit titles for consideration for the annual Trillium Book Award. There are prizes both for the winning recepients and their publishers. Furthermore, the publishers of all finalists receive a grant for promotion of their books prior to the announcement of the winners.

The Trillium Book Award was established by the Ontario Government in 1987 to “recognize excellence, support marketing and to foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and writing.

The Travel component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists provides support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts/cultural professionals (including artists’ representatives), cultural carriers, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines to help them with the travel costs incurred to attend significant events within Canada or abroad.

The Travel component of Arts Across Canada funds activities linked to Canadian presentation, exhibition, artistic collaboration, networking and building market opportunities for Canadian artists, arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations. Grants provide support to participate in significant events, build a national presence and for festivals and presenters to conduct research for Canadian artistic programming.

The Travel component of Arts Abroad funds travel linked to international presentation, exhibition, artistic collaboration, networking and new market opportunities for Canadian artists and arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations. Grants provide support to attend significant events outside of Canada and build international presence.

The Translation component of Arts Across Canada provides grants to activities linked to the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works into French, English, an Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), or any other regional Canadian or Indigenous sign language for Canadian publication or presentation.

The Translation component of Arts Abroad funds the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works for international presentation or publication.

The Touring Projects program supports Ontario-based professional artists/curators, ad hoc groups/collectives and arts organizations to tour performances, exhibitions, screenings and readings for public audiences within Ontario, nationally and internationally. The work(s) being toured must be created and performed by professional artists.

The Dance Projects program provides funding to professional dance artists, organizations and collectives for the creation, production and presentation of dance works, and other projects that support the development of professional dance in Toronto. The program recognizes a diversity of dance practices. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council.

This program is for Canadian commercial exhibitors and is intended to support the programming of Canadian films in theatres across Canada and to foster public access to these works.

The Theatrical Documentary Program finances feature-length documentary projects in production and post-production.

The program supports professional exploration, creation, development, production and presentation, regardless of theatrical tradition, as well as initiatives that benefit the Ontario professional theatre community.

The program supports the creation, exploration, development, production and presentation of French-language dramatic works in Ontario.

The Promotion Program’s Industry Initiatives Stream provides funding to activities that stimulate demand for Canadian content not covered by the other two streams of the Promotion Program. Activities include:
a. National award ceremonies for film, television or digital media;
b. Alternative distribution networks;
c. Conferences, panels and networking events; d. Training activities.

The Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers looking to finance the production stage of their first feature film project(s).

Through a process led by facilitators from across disciplines and sectors, participants in the TAC Leaders Lab will enhance the skills, tools, networks and knowledge that will support personal leadership growth and new collaborative opportunities.

The Indigenous Arts Projects program is an annual multi-disciplinary project grant specifically for Indigenous artists, collectives and organizations. For the purpose of this program, “Indigenous” refers to people who self-define as a First Nations (Status or Non-status), Inuit, or Métis person of Canada. TAC recognizes Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of what is now known as Toronto, which has great historical and cultural significance as a place for ceremony, gathering, trade, and exchange. This program is designed to increase participation in and access to Toronto Arts Council funding by Indigenous artists, while increasing the creation and presentation of high-quality Indigenous art in the City. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council.

The program recognizes a diverse range of art practices. You may apply in one of four categories described below. Grants awarded may be less than the full amount requested. With the exception of the Project Development and Creation categories, TAC will not fund 100% of a project: applicants must indicate other revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services.

The Support Organizations component of Supporting Artistic Practice provides grants to Canadian arts organizations that reinforce Canadian art practice through a range of targeted activities and services, including those that bolster the creative and professional capacities of artists working in all disciplines.

The Publishing Support sub-component of the Canada Book Fund (CBF) assists the ongoing production, marketing and distribution of Canadian-authored books. Supplementary funding based on export sales is also available as part of Publishing Support.

The CBF’s Support for Organizations stream contributes to the marketing and promotion of Canadian-authored books and strengthens the infrastructure and efficiency of the Canadian book industry through professional development, internships and technology projects.

Seed Grants provide seed funding to kickstart small-scale innovation activities that explore and develop capacity, partnerships, and promising innovation ideas.

This component supports small-scale activities intended to explore and develop innovation projects that address systemic issues in the arts sector. Projects must respond to key strategic areas intended to rebuild a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, accessible, greener, healthier, and connected arts sector.

Cultivate Grants provide funding to implement, pilot and prototype innovation projects that address systemic issues and benefit the broader arts sector.

This component provides support for future-oriented innovation projects that address systemic issues in the arts sector and help rebuild a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, accessible, greener, healthier, and connected arts sector.

The Special Measures for Journalism component of the Canada Periodical Fund provides financial support to Canadian print magazines, print community (non-daily) newspapers and digital periodicals, to enable them to overcome market disadvantages. The Fund ensures Canadians have access to diverse Canadian editorial content in printed magazines, printed community newspapers and digital periodicals.

Please note that daily newspapers and magazine or community newspaper titles currently receiving Aid to Publishers — Canada Periodical Fund funding are not eligible under this new component.

Using a formula based on editorial content expenses over a 12-month period, the Special Measures for Journalism component provides funding to eligible Canadian publications. Publishers are able to use funding to support the creation of content, production, distribution, online activities or business development.

The Small-Scale Activities component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing provides funding to First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines for activities that will advance their artistic career or practice. This may include acquiring materials for artistic production, engaging in career or artistic development activities or benefitting from specific expertise, advice or training from a professional artist or cultural carrier.

This program supports Ontario-based Indigenous arts professionals and arts professionals of colour, or ad hoc groups and collectives made up of Indigenous arts professionals or arts professionals of colour for professional development and skill-building opportunities that advance applicants’ work and careers. It funds all contemporary and traditional art practices that are supported at OAC. Projects can include: study and training, mentorship, internship and apprenticeship and documentation of art work.

The Short-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing provides support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional and aspiring artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months.

The Sector Innovation and Development component of Supporting Artistic Practice provides grants to projects by Canadian and First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups, and organizations. These projects must grow and improve the arts sector.

The Residencies component of Arts Abroad funds activities linked to international artistic and cultural exchanges for Canadian artists, arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations. Grants support creative research, creation and networking activities within the context of an international residency.

The Representation and Promotion component of Arts Across Canada provides grants to Canadian registered or incorporated arts organizations that represent Canadian artists and regularly seek out new opportunities in the Canadian arts market.

The Representation and Promotion component of Arts Abroad provides grants for registered or incorporated Canadian arts organizations to represent Canadian artists and develop their presence internationally, and establish a place for Canadian arts practice in the global arts market. Grants are also available to foreign arts organizations that invite Canadian artists to present artistic works and to Canadian arts organizations that bring international buyers to Canada.

The Region of Waterloo Arts Fund is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land that was promised to Six Nations, and was traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral Peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to live, work, create, and to meet on territory protected by the Dish With One Spoon wampum. The enduring presence, philosophies, and deep traditional knowledge of First Peoples are foundational to the arts and culture of this place. We are committed to supporting local creators by acknowledging the collective past, and respecting the contributions of all peoples.

The program supports Ontario writers in the creation of new work and creates and strengthens connections between Ontario writers, publishers, and literary organizations.

To assist theatre creators to develop new work. This is a third-party recommender program. Applications are made to and funding decisions are made by the theatre companies enrolled in the program.

The Publishing Organizations: Operating program supports Ontario-based, Canadian-owned book and magazine publishers that publish works of literary, artistic or cultural importance for the general public. There are two categories:
– Book publishers: Organizations that publish books in print or digital format as their primary activity. Some publishers may publish magazines or journals as a secondary activity;
– Magazine publishers: Organizations that publish magazines in print or digital format as their primary activity. Some publishers may publish books as a secondary activity.

The Public Outreach component of Arts Across Canada provides grants to support activities of Canadian groups and organizations, as well as professionals in architecture, that contribute to the public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. Grants fund a wide range of live events, publications and other initiatives that build connections between artists and diverse audiences.

The program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, professional public art galleries in Ontario.

We produce and distribute all our projects regardless of format within documentary & animation, or of production model (100% funded by the NFB, co-production, or partnership).

The Professional Development for Arts Professionals component of Supporting Artistic Practice supports the career growth of Canadian arts professionals by encouraging knowledge-sharing and participation in a wide range of development opportunities. Grants fund activities that contribute to the advancement of Canadian arts professionals.

The Production Program finances Canadian feature films at the production or post-production stage.

The OMIF Music Creation stream provides funding to support the development of competitive, sustainable music companies in Ontario that take risks discovering and developing talent – particularly emerging artists – and bringing it to market.

The OMIF Live Music stream supports businesses and organizations that produce or promote live music events featuring Canadian artists, including eligible music festivals and concert series. The Live Music stream will provide funding to increase the number and quality of live music experiences (e.g. events, festivals and concerts*) that can be experienced by residents in and visitors to Ontario.

The Ontario Creates Book Fund is designed to increase financial viability and overall business growth of Ontario-based publishers through marketing initiatives which profile the works of Canadian authors to both foreign and domestic markets, and/or activities that enable publishers at various levels to achieve business development objectives that best suit their individual corporate goals.
Funding will be provided to support projects that have clear, objective and measurable results and/or indicate direct and positive impact that on the overall long-term business growth of the book publisher. Priority results include enhancement of publisher revenues and the creation/retention of jobs in the Ontario publishing industry. Ontario Creates will measure results of the program based on return on investment and jobs created and retained.

The program supports Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists to research, develop and create new work and engage with their communities, as well as opportunities for Indigenous organizations and communities to strengthen their relationships with the arts.

The program supports the creation, production and presentation of live and virtual dance and other initiatives that benefit the Ontario professional dance community.

The Northern Arts Projects program supports the creation, production and presentation of artwork; professional development; and community arts engagement initiatives that benefit communities in Northern Ontario. The program has four categories:
– New works: to help cover the costs of creation and production of new works in all artistic disciplines;
– Presentation: to help cover the costs of presenting artistic work;
– Skills/Career development: for artists to undertake skills and career development projects and for groups presenting projects that will benefit northern Ontario artists;
– Working with community: to help cover the costs of community-engaged arts projects.

Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship program provides support for newcomer and refugee artists to develop their artistic practice and to further their integration and inclusion to Toronto. We define a newcomer as: an immigrant or refugee who has lived in Canada for less than 7 years; a refugee is a person who was forced to leave their home country and is now located in Canada.

The National Arts Service Organizations component of Supporting Artistic Practice funds Canadian arts service organizations with mandates to promote and support the arts on a national level. Grants assist service organizations committed to developing and sustaining the vitality of the Canadian professional arts sector through representation, promotion and exchange.

The program supports the recording of music by Ontario-based musicians including composers, songwriters and beat producers.The program supports the recording of music by Ontario-based musicians including composers, songwriters and beat producers.

This program supports the development and presentation of all genres of music by Ontario-based professional musicians, ad hoc groups/collectives and organizations.

The program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, opera companies, orchestras, choral organizations and other music-mandated producers and presenters in Ontario.

The Music Organizations Operating program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, opera companies, orchestras, choral organizations and other music-mandated producers and presenters in Ontario.

The OMIF Music Industry Initiatives (MII) stream provides support to Ontario’s established music trade associations and music service organizations to offer initiatives, events and activities that strengthen, support and stimulate the economic and cultural growth of Ontario’s music industry.

The program supports Ontario-based professional artists creating original musical works.

Toronto Arts Council’s Music Creation & Audio Recording program offers grants to practicing professional artists to assist them in the writing and production of their original music. This program will support new work in any/all genres of music

The program supports the creation, recording and production of French-language songs and music by professional artists. It allows artists to devote themselves to creation or production projects, to foster the development of song and music artists by prioritizing access to cutting-edge human and technical resources for the realization of their project, and to help artists make their works known.

The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program finances long-established medium to large-scale film festivals in Canada.

The program funds independent Francophone media artists and filmmakers in Ontario seeking to develop or produce new works in film, video, audio art, digital media, new media, and video and electronic games. Projects must be in French and intended for a Francophone audience. Works must be independently produced and the applicant must be the primary creative artist/director and retain full creative freedom and copyright. This program does not fund works intended for commercial film, television, and the gaming industries.

Toronto Arts Council’s Media Artists Program provides support to media artists who have a professional independent art practice for the creation/production of new work or the completion of works in progress. Funds are intended to cover direct costs of creation/production, and materials. Applicants may apply for production and/or post-production.

Media Arts includes independent film, video, audio, digital, video and electronic games, virtual and augmented reality and new media artworks. New media refers to works that use multi-media, computers or communications or information technologies for creative expression, including installation and performance art works that integrate such technologies.

The program supports individual professional Ontario-based media artists/directors working with film, video, audio, digital, new media, video and electronic games, and virtual reality as independent artist-controlled art forms in the production and post-production phases of their projects.

The Marketing Program supports the marketing, promotion and distribution of Canadian feature films.

This program supports travel undertaken to connect with presenters for the purpose of promoting the work of Ontario artists. Applicants may travel within Ontario, Canada or internationally to attend a single recognized arts marketplace or to meet with presenters. Projects should aim to build future opportunities for the work to reach new audiences.

The Market Access Strategy for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) Fund aims to increase access of applicants from OLMCs to a diversity of markets and publics.

This fund supports Canadian professional artists, arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations who self-identify as belonging to an OLMC (defined as groups of people whose maternal or chosen official language is not the majority language in their province or territory – in other words, Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones outside of Quebec).

The Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides financial support to eligible small- and mid-sized print and digital magazine publishers. This component of the CPF encourages innovation to adapt to changing market conditions and contributes to the diversity of content sought by Canadian readers.

The Ontario Creates Magazine Fund supports the business development of independent Ontario-based magazine publishers. Funds are provided to assist in the growth of these businesses through the creation and implementation of new strategic initiatives that enable publishers to achieve business development and/or marketing objectives. Eligible projects should have clear, objective and measurable results.

The Long-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting more than 1 year, up to 3 years.

First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to speak to a Program Officer to determine project eligibility before applying.

The program supports literary activities through grants to artists, ad hoc groups, collectives and Francophone organizations in Ontario.

The Literary Publishing Projects component of Supporting Artistic Practice funds Canadian publishers of literary books and magazines committed to developing and promoting Canadian literary writers through the publishing process. Grants support the publication of literary books and magazines authored by Canadian writers.

The Literary Publishers component of Supporting Artistic Practice provides grants to Canadian publishers of literary books and magazines committed to developing and promoting Canadian literary writers through the publishing process.

The program supports the presentation, promotion, and publication of written and oral Canadian literatures through literary festivals, performance series, trade book publishers, literary magazines, and sector development initiatives.

The program supports Ontario-based literary artists to complete new works for book-length publication or for public performance, and literary performers who wish to record their own repertoire.

The program supports Ontario-based literary artists to complete new works for book-length publication or for public performance, and literary performers who wish to record their own repertoire.

The IP Fund – Linear Content stream supports Development and Production phases for feature film (drama and documentary) and digital series.

The IP Fund – Interactive Content stream supports Pre-Production and Production phases for video games and XR content.

The International Promotion Program offers financial support for:

Participation and attendance for international festivals, forums and events.
International promotion campaigns.
Telefilm-invited international initiatives.

The Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund – Concept Definition and Production programs provide IDM content creators with funding for high quality, original interactive digital media content projects that make a positive contribution to the Ontario economy. Concept Definition program supports for early-stage activities that will assist the applicant company in moving towards the production of a market-ready content project. Production program supports for the creation of a market-ready content project that will be released to end users.
The IDM Fund Production and Concept Definition programs consist of two streams: 1. Interactive Content (Non-Linear);
2. Video Content (Linear).

Ontario Creates Industry Development Program provides support to Ontario’s established trade and event organizations to offer initiatives, events and activities with long-term impacts on growth and sustainability in the book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors.

The Individual Initiatives component provides financial assistance to undertake activities that are central to the development of Canadian artists, the promotion of their music and the expansion of their audience. Examples of supported activities under this component include the production and marketing of Canadian sound recordings, domestic and international touring (including showcases) of Canadian artists, artist management, publishing of Canadian musical works and business development. Applicants have access to annual funding either through a comprehensive envelope funding or project-by-project support.

The program supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms to create artwork. Grants of $500 help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies.This is a third-party recommender program. Artists apply to the Indigenous organizations designated as recommenders for the program. Recommenders assess applications and submit grant recommendations to OAC.

The Creating, Knowing and Sharing program provides grants to support activities in three broad areas:
1. Creating provides support for research, production and creation of new works of art. 2. Knowing provides support for the retention, maintenance, innovation and transmittal of cultural knowledge and creative practice.
3. Sharing provides support for the dissemination, exhibition, presentation and distribution of works of art by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, which enrich and engage communities in Canada and abroad.

Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects is a multidisciplinary program supporting projects that bring together Ontario-based, professional Indigenous artists and arts professionals in communities and schools to provide access to the arts and create meaningful art experiences that transmit Indigenous artistic skills and cultural knowledge to participants.

The Indigenous Art Collection in Gatineau, Quebec is one of the most significant public art collections of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada. Since the early 1960s, the Indigenous Art Centre has been collecting works by living artists to create a unique collection that represents the artistic practices of community-based and urban Indigenous artists throughout Canada.

The Ontario Creates-CMF IDM Futures Forward Program is a partnership with Ontario Creates and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) that provides funding for early-stage project-related development.

This program seeks to support companies that often have barriers to accessing project funding and to support the very beginning of a project’s creative process with the objective of giving a project a better chance to succeed in future stages of funding.

Toronto Arts Council (TAC) Writers Program supports the creation of new literary works or works-in-progress in the genres of fiction (including novels, short stories, children’s literature, graphic novels, etc.), literary non-fiction, poetry and oral traditions such as storytelling, dub, rap and spoken-word.

Toronto Arts Council’s Playwrights Program provides support to playwrights for the writing of theatrical plays.

Global Market Development for Music Managers provides eligible music management companies with funding to participate in national and international activities that correspond to a strategy for company growth. These activities must produce measurable business and market development results for the participating company (sales, financing, licensing and/or publishing deals, audience awareness, media coverage, partnership development, etc.). Primary activities supported are market event attendance and targeted activities that support the market development strategy.

The Global Market Development program provides eligible Ontario companies with funding to participate in international activities that support company growth and produce measurable business and market development results.

The General Admission Festivals Program provides streamlined funding to small and/or emerging film festivals that are aimed at the general public.

The program supports the operation of professional organizations in the French-language publishing sector in Ontario to help them produce or present quality works to a wide range of audiences and participants.

The program supports:
The publication and distribution of French-language titles in the following genres: novel, tale, short story, poetry, theatre, children’s literature, literary criticism or history, commentary on the visual arts or performing arts, biography.
The publication of French-language cultural periodicals dedicated to creation, analysis or review in the following sectors: literature, performing arts, visual arts, multidisciplinary arts, cultural life.

The Foreign Artist Tours component of Arts Across Canada supports Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations to circulate exhibitions or tour artists from around the world and provide new experiences to the Canadian public.

This program offers selected filmmakers the opportunity to travel to Montreal to complete a portion of their post-production work in-house at our Balmoral studios. The services provided by the FAP to filmmakers working in or travelling to Montreal include NFB post-production services and access to post-production equipment such as picture and sound editing suites, online editing services, title and credits design, sound effects, voice recording, mixing, access to the NFB archives, master copies and authoring of a complete digital cinema package (DCP).

The Marketing and Distribution Initiative (MDI) is intended to assist producers of Ontario Creates Film Fund supported projects to make a meaningful contribution to the domestic marketing and distribution of their projects leading up to and during their commercial release.

The Film and Television Stream is designed to increase film and television industry jobs and investment and to increase quality, original film and television productions produced in Northern Ontario, while showcasing its culture, geography, stories and talent.

The Export-Ready Stream (ERS) of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) program offers funding through contributions (not loans) for export-ready projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world.

Ultimately, the program aims to increase the export profitability for Canada’s creative industries.

The Export Development Stream (EDS) of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) program offers funding in the form of grants and contributions for:

new and early-stage exporters to build capacity and expand into international markets;
seasoned exporters to expand into new international markets and build business networks.

The Export Assistance Program helps finance the international distribution of Canadian feature films, including the promotional campaign for theatrical release.

The Research and Creation component of Explore and Create supports the initial stages of the creative process. Canadian artists, artistic groups and arts organizations can apply to develop and make creative works. Grants provide support for creative research, creation and project development.

The Professional Development for Artists component of Explore and Create supports the career growth of Canadian artists and artistic groups by encouraging participation in a wide range of development opportunities. Grants fund activities that contribute to the professional advancement of Canadian artists working in all artistic disciplines.

The Artist-Driven Organizations component of Explore and Create supports the development of artistic activities, from research, creation, and production through to dissemination, by Canadian arts organizations that are driven by the vision of artistic leaders. Grants fund the activities of organizations mandated to support the creative process of artists, stimulating the emergence of new artistic voices and offering a range of artistic experiences to the public.

Most core grant applications must be translated into French or English. Please see guidelines for details and the translation deadline date.