Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals

Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals is sponsored by Ontario Arts Council. This program supports the creative practice and career advancement of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis aspiring and professional artists, curators, programmers, presenters, and literary editors by funding a wide range of activities and expenses.

Ontario Arts Council - Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals expand to view child pages of 4 expand to view child pages of 3301 Building Audiences and Markets Engaging Communities and Schools Developing Careers and Arts Services expand to view child pages of 3302 expand to view child pages of 3027 Deaf Artists and Artists with Disabilities Artists Living in Regions Outside Toronto General Granting Information expand to view child pages of 3303 Grant Program Deadlines and Important Dates Guide to Operating Grants Guide to Project Programs Information in sign language expand to view child pages of 5 Ontario Arts Council Awards Government of Ontario Awards expand to view child pages of 4065 Premier's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Ontario Arts Foundation Awards and Funds expand to view child pages of 3033 expand to view child pages of 2945 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2028 Alternative Services and Application Processes expand to view child pages of 3756 Deaf Artists and Artists with Disabilities Artists Living in Regions Outside Toronto Public Feedback Form / Complaints Guide to Providing Application Support Would you like to be an OAC peer assessor?

expand to view child pages of 6 expand to view child pages of 18 Beverley Johnston honoured with 2025 Oskar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance Maria Hupfield receives the 2025 OAC Indigenous Arts Award expand to view child pages of 6791 Read our February newsletter expand to view child pages of 2956 Share your photos with OAC expand to view child pages of 7 How does the Ontario Arts Council track its work and impact?

Program Evaluation at OAC Impact of the Arts in Ontario expand to view child pages of 3 Public Feedback Form / Complaints Accountability and Governance Building Audiences and Markets Engaging Communities and Schools Developing Careers and Arts Services Deaf Artists and Artists with Disabilities Artists Living in Regions Outside Toronto General Granting Information Grant Program Deadlines and Important Dates Guide to Operating Grants Guide to Project Programs Information in sign language Earl Lee receives the 2018 Heinz Unger Award.

(Photo: Jag Gundu/Toronto Symphony Orchestra) Ontario Arts Council Awards Government of Ontario Awards Premier's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Ontario Arts Foundation Awards and Funds Circus artist Erin Ball delivers an aerial performance during a workshop hosted by the Kingston Arts Council at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning in Kingston.

(Photo: Liz Cooper) Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2028 Alternative Services and Application Processes Deaf Artists and Artists with Disabilities Artists Living in Regions Outside Toronto Public Feedback Form / Complaints Guide to Providing Application Support Would you like to be an OAC peer assessor? A drum circle recording session that was part of the Ancestral Call to Balance project led by Sandra Desjardins.

(Photo: Sandra Desjardins) Beverley Johnston honoured with 2025 Oskar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance Maria Hupfield receives the 2025 OAC Indigenous Arts Award Read our February newsletter Share your photos with OAC A large audience watches a film screening during the Christie Pits Film Festival, part of Toronto Outdoor Picture Show’s Cinematic Cities program.

(Photo: Diana Maclean) How does the Ontario Arts Council track its work and impact? Program Evaluation at OAC Impact of the Arts in Ontario Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue perform during the Ottawa Jazz Festival at Confederation Park.

(Photo: Chris Parker) Public Feedback Form / Complaints Accountability and Governance Winter Holidays 2023-2024 | Vacances d'hiver 2023-2024  Grants Advanced Search Box Home  Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals  Guide to OAC Project Programs  Guide to OAC Assessment  Guide to OAC Support Material  Grant Program Deadlines and Important Dates  Recognition Requirements for Project Grant Recipients  Showcase your photos on our website and publications  OAC Geographic Regions Maps (PDF) Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals This was a one-time program.

There will be no further deadlines. For information on other activities supported by OAC, see our complete list of grant programs . If you received a grant in this program, you must submit a final report upon completion of the project.

A final report form, including information on what you are required to provide, is available in Nova . For a reminder of what activities and expenses were supported by this program, read the archived information below. What does this program support?

A wide range of artistic and professional development activities and expenses that help to further the careers of Indigenous aspiring and professional artists, curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors. How much can you receive?

Professional artists: $15,000 Curators, programmers, presenters, literary editors: $10,000 Indigenous professional and aspiring artists Indigenous professional curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors When are applications due? Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until January 27, 2022, at 1 p. m.

ET. The application form is available in Nova . You will find out whether you got a grant in March 2022.

Click here for a preview of the application questions. When can funded activities take place? The activity for which you are requesting funding: cannot start before December 10, 2021 must be completed by March 15, 2023 Before applying, read the Complete Program Information below.

Complete Program Information The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) respects Indigenous creative expression and worldviews and recognizes the diversity, vitality and importance of Indigenous cultural and artistic practices in our province.

This one-time program aims to support the creative practice and career advancement of First Nations, Inuit and Métis aspiring and professional artists, curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors by funding a wide range of activities and expenses, some of which are not supported in OAC’s regular programs.

The program supports research, development, creation and production of new work, the presentation and sharing of artistic work, and activities that create career opportunities and engage communities. Projects may involve the purchase of materials, equipment or services needed to create work or develop knowledge and skills.

Additionally, artistic projects can include activities that preserve or transmit Indigenous languages, cultural knowledge and creative practices. The program welcomes artists working in customary, traditional and contemporary arts practices, including Indigenous Culture Carriers who maintain and transfer the knowledge of specific Indigenous worldviews, cultural practices and traditions through art and creative practice.

It will be administered by Indigenous staff members, and applications will be assessed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals. The application form is very simple, requiring only basic information on how you would spend the grant, a brief description of your practice, an artistic CV and an example of your work.

This program is very flexible: many different activities can be included in the same application, and grant recipients can make changes to their project plans if necessary, as long as new activities are eligible. Indigenous professional artists, curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors may also be eligible to apply to and are encouraged to explore OAC’s other Indigenous arts programs and regular project programs .

The program’s priorities are to support: projects that reflect the range of artistic practices supported by OAC individuals who reflect a range of Indigenous backgrounds individuals living in regions across Ontario, including northern, rural and remote communities This program accepts applications from: professional artists, including Indigenous Culture Carriers with an artistic practice Indigenous aspiring artists Indigenous professional curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors See definitions of these terms below .

This program is for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants who know and can describe their Indigenous identity in relation to community and culture. Applicants will be asked to declare their identity and demonstrate their relation to community and culture in the grant application. See definition of Indigenous below .

All applicants must be working in an artistic discipline funded by OAC: Multi and inter-arts ( see definition of multi and inter-arts below ) The disciplines listed above include customary, traditional and contemporary arts practices, including, for example, powwow dance, drumming, storytelling, basketry, beading, quillwork, regalia design, throat singing, spoken word poetry, literary translation (into Indigenous languages, English or French), new media, video and electronic games, virtual reality, etc. If you’re not sure if your practice is supported by OAC, we encourage you to contact program staff.

You cannot apply on behalf of an ad hoc group, collective or organization, or use the grant to pay for their expenses. Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more information on general eligibility requirements and restrictions.

This program does not accept applications from: individuals working in creative practices outside of the artistic disciplines funded by OAC, including comedy, creation of food products and beverages, and creation of body care products such as soaps organizations, collectives and ad hoc groups artist agents and commercial dealers arts managers, publicists and administrators What does this program fund?

Eligible activities and expenses This program funds the following activities: researching, creating and/or developing artistic work purchasing or gathering art materials and supplies renting a studio or workspace upgrading your studio or workspace purchasing or upgrading technology for your artistic practice developing your skills through training or mentorship (including Indigenous language learning that will be used as part of your artistic practice) attending creative residencies presenting artistic work to the public or in schools, such as concerts and exhibitions offering arts activities in schools or communities (for example, giving workshops or helping community members create a work of art together) marketing your artistic work to presenters or audiences participating in arts events and training opportunities, and using tools and services offered by arts and Indigenous organizations developing your artist website or portfolio publishing books, ebooks, zines, catalogues and other works (in Indigenous languages, English or French) You can use this grant to pay for: artist fees, including fees to yourself for the time spent on the project project administrative fees and expenses, including time you spend on the administration of the project art materials and supplies studio or artist workspace upgrade or rental purchase or rental of equipment or software for your artistic practice fees to a mentor, consultant or instructor, including gifts to Indigenous Culture Carriers training courses, continuing education courses, workshops and webinar registration fees exhibition and production costs, including paying application and exhibition fees, framing and installing works, hiring technical staff, buying, renting or creating sets, props or costumes, renting a venue, catering, and documenting events translation of artistic and marketing materials to and from Indigenous languages website costs, including web hosting fees, web development and design, and website maintenance membership fees paid to arts organizations or co-ops shipping artwork and equipment for program-eligible activities travel for program-eligible activities, including travel outside of Ontario or Canada 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: If you identify as Deaf or as having a disability, you may apply for supplementary funds for your own accessibility expenses through Accessibility Fund: Project Support .

Note: Although you don’t need to include a budget with your application, be sure to track your expenses as you work on the project, as you will need to list them in your final report if you receive a grant.

Ineligible activities and expenses This program does not fund: student projects for your degree, course work or studies faculty or academic research projects You cannot use this grant to pay for: accredited undergraduate or graduate college or university programs home-based overhead such as rent and living expenses ad hoc group, collective or organization activities or expenses Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until January 27, 2022, at 1 p.

m. ET. The application form is available in Nova .

You will find out whether you got a grant in March 2022. Important : This program does not provide juror comments or feedback to applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful. When can your activity take place?

The activity for which you are requesting funding: cannot start before December 10, 2021 must be completed and reported on by March 15, 2023, with the possibility of an extension. If you need an extension to finish your project, contact the program officer. How much can you receive?

Professional artists: $15,000 Curators, programmers, presenters and literary editors: $10,000 This program does not award partial grants. A grant awarded by this program does not count toward the recipient’s maximum of three project grants per year. (In other words, after receiving a grant from this program, an individual can still apply for and receive three more OAC project grants in the same year.)

Complete and submit an application in Nova , OAC’s online grant application system. Indigenous staff are happy to answer questions about the program and application. They can also help individuals with no internet access, limited bandwidth or who are not comfortable with technology.

See the Contact section on this web page for their phone numbers and email addresses. Before applying, you must: read the Guide to OAC Project Programs create or update your profile in Nova Your application will include: your answers to application questions artistic example: It is mandatory to include one example of artistic support material.

Each of the following file types is considered one example: artist CV ( see definition below ) Detailed instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova . For help creating a profile or submitting an application in Nova , see the Nova User Guide . How applications are assessed This program uses a peer assessment model to review applications.

Assessors are Indigenous professional artists, other Indigenous professionals and Indigenous Culture Carriers in the disciplines represented in the program who will independently review all grant applications. Applications to this program are assessed on one criterion: artistic merit. Assessments are based on answers to the questions in the application, one artistic example and an artist CV.

Assessors will use the Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals evaluation rubric to guide them in rating applications. Artistic merit will be rated on a three-point scale: Combined assessor ratings will determine which applicants receive grants. In the case of ties, these will be broken by the program officer based on program priorities listed above.

For more about the OAC assessment process, see the Guide to OAC Assessment and the Indigenous Arts Support: Grants for Individuals evaluation rubric. What do you have to do if you receive a grant? If you receive a grant, you will have to 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.

Your final report will need to include: a description of the project undertaken and its outcomes, including details on any changes to what had been outlined in the application a list of final project costs a sample of work created or developed with help from the grant, if applicable (for example, a recording of a song, a writing sample, a photo of a visual arts or craft piece or a clip from a film) documentation and/or an explanation of how you acknowledged or will acknowledge OAC support for your project This should include samples of OAC logo recognition on any promotional or other materials produced in conjunction with the project, such as publications, brochures, posters, invitations, websites, videos and films.

This could also include a description of verbal acknowledgement at public events or the intention to include OAC acknowledgement in associated future activities or materials. Program-specific definitions Artist CV : A list of an artist’s training (including learning from family members and Indigenous Culture Carriers), public presentations and achievements, including location and date for each item.

Note: Aspiring artists’ CVs can be very short. They only need to show that they have had some training and/or have done activities as part of a commitment to developing their artistic practice for at least one full year. Aspiring artist : Someone who has been developing skills through training or practice for at least one full year with the goal of becoming a professional artist (see definition below).

Aspiring artists may work in customary, traditional or contemporary arts practices, or in a combination of these. Note: Like all applicants to OAC, aspiring artists must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Curator : Someone who selects visual, media arts and craft artists or artistic work and presents the work in a professional manner to public audiences.

The gallery or presenter they work with promotes the work to the public and pays the artists a fee. A curator can work independently or be a staff or board member of an ad hoc group, collective or not-for-profit organization. Indigenous : The OAC recognizes that there are different ways of understanding Indigenous identity, such as family relationships, nationhood, community and cultural knowledge, accountability and belonging.

For the purposes of this program, the term Indigenous includes status and non-status First Nations, Inuit and Métis. This program is for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants who know and can describe their Indigenous identity in relation to community and culture. Applicants will be asked to declare their identity and demonstrate their relation to community and culture in the grant application.

This includes those whose relation to community and culture has been affected by displacement. Indigenous Culture Carrier : Someone whose role within First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities is to preserve, maintain and transfer the knowledge of specific Indigenous worldviews, cultural practices and traditions through art and creative practice. Short breaks in artistic work history are acceptable.

Indigenous Culture Carriers include Elders, knowledge keepers, traditional educators and language holders.

They have developed skills through training or practice, are recognized by their community as a significant contributor to Indigenous cultural practice, have engaged in community-based cultural activity on a regular basis, and have received compensation and/or recognition for this in a way that reflects their practice, community or Indigenous protocols.

Literary editor : Someone who selects or performs substantive editing on original written work for publication in books or in literary magazines (in print or electronic format) whose primary activity is to publish original literary work. The publishers they work with publish and promote the work to the public and pay writers an artist fee.

A literary editor can work independently or be a staff or board member of a not-for-profit or for-profit publisher. Multi- and inter-arts : Practices, activities and events that have two or more artistic forms present in equal balance in the creation, production and presentation of work.

Professional artist : Someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by artists working in the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work and actively practices their art. Short breaks in artistic work history are acceptable. Professional artists may work in customary, traditional or contemporary arts practices, or in a combination of these.

Note: In this program, the term “professional artists” includes Indigenous Culture Carriers with an artistic practice in any artistic discipline funded by OAC. Programmer or presenter: Someone who selects artists or artistic work for presentation.

They, or the organization they work with, pay a presentation fee to the professional artist(s) or arts group(s), provide the venue, supply technical support, promote the event, and present the work in a professional manner to a public audience. They can work independently or be a staff or board member of a ad hoc group, collective or not-for-profit organization.

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming 121 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor For more than 60 years, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. The OAC reached 27. 4 million people through events and arts education activities across the province in 2021-22.

In 2024-25 , OAC invested its grant program budget of $52. 2 million in 204 communities across 123 Ontario ridings, providing 1,969 grants to individual artists and 1,030 grants to organizations.