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Apply for Creative Communities Projects Program in Canada

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

The City of Toronto, via the Toronto Arts Council (TAC), offers the Creative Communities Projects Program to support collaborative arts initiatives that foster inclusion, skill-building, and community engagement. Grants of up to $15,000 are available to individual artists, collectives, and non-profit organizations, with additional accessibility funding for projects involving Deaf artists or artists with disabilities. The program emphasizes co-creation, public presentations, and broader access to the arts across Toronto.

What is the Creative Communities Projects Program?

The Creative Communities Projects Program funds arts projects that bring together professional artists and community members for collaborative, community-engaged creative practices. These projects may include:

  • Music, dance, and theatre

  • Visual arts and storytelling

  • Co-creative processes and skill-building

  • Presentation or exhibition opportunities for participants
    The program also prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that arts experiences are broadly available to Toronto communities.

Funding Details

  • Maximum Grant: $15,000 per project.

  • TAC Funding: Covers 100% of project costs up to $8,000.

  • Accessibility Grant: Up to $5,000 for projects involving Deaf artists or artists with disabilities to cover accessibility-related expenses.

  • Funding is available only for projects taking place within the City of Toronto.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Individual professional artists executing community-engaged projects.

  • Artist collectives, with all members or a majority residing in Toronto (depending on collective size).

  • Incorporated non-profit organizations delivering community arts projects.

  • First-time applicants or those unsure of eligibility are encouraged to contact the Senior Manager of Arts Discipline Programs for guidance.

Ineligible applicants or projects:

  • Projects completed before the announcement of results.

  • Ongoing staff or faculty salaries.

  • Schools or curriculum-based programs.

  • Research projects.

  • Organizations already receiving TAC operating funding.

  • Educational or religious institutions, unless arts activities are clearly separated from other institutional activities.

  • Professional artists pursuing academic degrees applying for work related to their studies.

  • Schools in Ontario’s public or private education systems for projects occurring during school hours.

Why the Program Matters

  • Supports collaborative arts and co-creation between professional artists and community members.

  • Provides opportunities for skill-building and creative development.

  • Promotes inclusive participation in the arts for Toronto residents.

  • Enhances the cultural vitality of Toronto by creating public presentations, exhibitions, and events.

  • Encourages accessibility and engagement of Deaf artists and artists with disabilities.

How to Apply / Project Guidelines

  • Ensure your project takes place within the City of Toronto.

  • Identify the art form and community engagement approach for your project.

  • Apply for funding according to project size and accessibility needs.

  • Include clear plans for co-creation, skill-building, and public presentation.

  • Confirm that all eligibility requirements for applicants and organizations are met.

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Submitting projects that have already been completed.

  • Including ineligible costs such as staff salaries or curriculum-based activities.

  • Failing to demonstrate community engagement or collaborative practices.

  • Omitting accessibility considerations for Deaf artists or artists with disabilities.

  • Applying without verifying Toronto residency or organizational eligibility.

FAQ

1. What is the maximum grant available?
$15,000 per project, with TAC covering up to $8,000 and an additional Accessibility Grant of up to $5,000 for eligible projects.

2. Who can apply?
Individual professional artists, artist collectives, and incorporated non-profit organizations based in Toronto.

3. Are projects outside Toronto eligible?
No, projects must take place within the City of Toronto.

4. Can first-time applicants apply?
Yes, first-time applicants are encouraged to apply and can contact TAC for guidance.

5. Are schools eligible to apply?
Only if arts activities are clearly separated from regular school or curriculum programs; projects during school hours are ineligible.

6. Can funded organizations also receive TAC operating funding?
No, organizations already receiving TAC operating funding are not eligible.

7. What types of arts activities are supported?
Music, dance, theatre, visual arts, storytelling, and other collaborative, community-engaged art practices.

Conclusion

The Creative Communities Projects Program enables Toronto artists and organizations to collaborate with communities, build artistic skills, and present creative work that enriches the city’s cultural landscape. By supporting inclusive, accessible, and community-focused projects, TAC helps ensure that the arts remain a vibrant and integral part of Toronto’s diverse communities.

For more information, visit Toronto Arts Council.