Deadline: 16-Oct-2025
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) supports Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) creativity and celebrates the vitality of diverse cultural and artistic expression through its Indigenous Arts Projects program.
The focus areas include projects that contribute to the development and growth of the arts and culture in Indigenous communities in Ontario, projects that recognize and value the distinctive nature of the artistic and cultural expression of Indigenous Peoples, projects that involve, support and pay fees to Indigenous artists, and projects that provide audiences with access to Indigenous artistic and cultural expression and experiences.
The Indigenous Arts Projects program is multidisciplinary and supports professional Indigenous artists, ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations in researching, developing, and creating new work. It encourages both traditional and contemporary Indigenous art practices and offers grants across three categories: Indigenous individuals, Indigenous ad hoc groups and collectives, and Indigenous organizations. Applications are assessed by juries comprised of Indigenous artists and administered by Indigenous OAC staff members.
Grant amounts vary depending on applicant type, with a maximum of $15,000 for individuals, $20,000 for ad hoc groups and collectives, and $25,000 for organizations. Funding can be used for a wide range of eligible expenses, including artist fees, culture carrier fees, research and development, residencies, mentorships, creation and production of new work, presentations, festivals, exhibitions, marketing and promotion, as well as accessibility expenses and dependent care costs. The program also supports cultural safety and community care elements such as Elders, traditional educators, or social workers as part of projects.
Eligibility is limited to professional artists and arts professionals who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and residents of Ontario, Indigenous-led ad hoc groups and collectives with at least 50 percent Indigenous membership, and Indigenous-led not-for-profit arts organizations and publishers based in Ontario. Co-applicants are also permitted, provided both are Indigenous. Ineligible applicants include non-Indigenous applicants, academic institutions, municipalities, for-profit organizations (except publishers), hobbyists, and groups not based in Ontario.
The program does not fund ongoing operating costs, major capital expenditures, commercial product lines, formal academic coursework, fundraising events, or contests. Grants awarded may be smaller than the requested amount due to high demand and limited funding availability.
For more information, visit Ontario Arts Council.
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