Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
The Artists in the Library Program offers funding to professional artists, arts organizations, and collectives across all artistic disciplines to create and deliver free community-engaged arts programs at Toronto Public Library branches. This initiative provides paid opportunities and space for Toronto artists while increasing access to the arts in neighborhoods like Etobicoke, York, North York, East York, and Scarborough. The program is funded by the City of Toronto.
Community engagement is essential, but its format can vary widely. Activities might include exhibitions, installations, performances, concerts, screenings, readings, filmmaking, storytelling, workshops, artist talks, participatory programs, arts education, mentorship programs, and more. However, permanent exhibitions and installations are not eligible. All projects must be produced by the grant recipient, hosted and supported by the assigned library branch, delivered onsite during branch hours.
Grants can be awarded up to $20,000, covering up to 100% of project costs. Eligibility is open to professional artists, not-for-profit arts organizations, or collectives. Experience working with communities or youth is considered an asset. A professional artist is someone who has developed their skills through training or practice, recognized by peers, actively practices their art, seeks payment, and has a history of public presentations.
The program acknowledges systemic barriers within the arts community and offers flexibility in interpreting eligibility criteria for applicants from equity-seeking communities. Such applicants are encouraged to discuss eligibility with the Program Manager before applying. Individuals cannot apply both as solo artists and as part of an organization or collective for the same competition. Nor can the same project be submitted to multiple grant programs.
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) divides funding into two envelopes: Arts Discipline, which covers project and operating grants across various art forms, and Strategic Programs, which include initiatives like Animating Historic Sites and Open Door. Applicants may apply for one grant per category annually, provided they have no incomplete projects or overdue reports.
Individual applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, or have pending applications for permanent residency. They must provide documentation if requested and have a Social Insurance Number. Residency in Toronto for at least one year before the deadline is required, and applicants must live and work in Toronto for at least eight months per year. Post Office Box addresses are not accepted for residency. Students pursuing degrees may not apply for projects related to their studies.
Organizations and collectives must be non-profit arts organizations or unincorporated arts collectives operating on a non-profit basis, located in Toronto. Collectives of two artists must have both members residing in Toronto, while collectives of more than two require most members to be Toronto residents. Collectives must provide bank account details in their name if awarded funding.
The program does not fund commercial or for-profit businesses, capital projects like renovations or repairs (except small essential equipment purchases with detailed budgets), activities outside Toronto such as research or travel, ongoing operating costs like permanent staff salaries, schools within Ontario’s public or private education system, or educational and religious institutions unless their arts activities are clearly separated in programming and budget from their regular activities.
For more information, visit TAC.
