The Ontario Dance Projects Funding program supports the creation, production, and presentation of live and virtual dance in Ontario, along with mentorship, training, and community development initiatives. Funding ranges from $2,500 to $20,000 across five categories. Eligible applicants include professional Ontario-based dance artists, collectives, and not-for-profit dance organizations.

The Ontario Dance Projects Funding program supports professional dance activity in Ontario by funding:

Creation of new choreographic work
Production and public presentation of dance
Dance series and festivals
Mentorship for specific communities
Training and community development initiatives

The program strengthens Ontario’s professional dance sector through artistic development, public engagement, mentorship, and skills-building.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Support artistic creation and choreographic research
Enable live and virtual public presentations
Strengthen professional development in dance
Encourage mentorship and equity in access
Build community capacity within Ontario’s dance sector

Funding Categories and Maximum Grant Amounts

The program offers five distinct categories, each with a defined maximum grant amount.

1. Creation Projects

Maximum: $5,000

Supports:

Choreography
Artistic research
Development of new work

A public showing of the work or work-in-progress is required.

2. Production and Presentation Projects

Maximum: $20,000

Supports:

Artistic, production, and presentation costs
Live or virtual public sharing
Remounting existing work
Commissions
Tour preparation

3. Series and Festivals

Maximum: $15,000

Supports:

Presentation of professional choreographers and dance companies
Curated programming

Priority is given to projects where applicants do not present their own work.

4. Mentorship – Individuals

Maximum: $2,500

Supports mentorship for:

Indigenous artists training in Indigenous dance practices
Deaf artists
Artists with disabilities

5. Training and Community Development

Maximum: $7,500

Supports:

Workshops
Forums
Master classes
Equity and access initiatives
Community-focused dance activities

This category prioritizes initiatives addressing limited training opportunities in Ontario.

Eligible Expenses

Funding may cover costs necessary for project realization, including:

Artists’ and mentors’ fees
Production and staging costs
Marketing and audience development
Administrative expenses
Venue or studio rentals
Virtual platform costs
Archival recording
Travel and accommodation for collaborators
Childcare and dependent care costs
Accessibility expenses for Deaf participants and participants with disabilities

Expenses must be directly related to the funded dance project.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Professional dance artists who are residents of Ontario
Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives of dance artists or arts professionals with expertise in dance
Incorporated not-for-profit dance companies
Dance series and dance festivals
Other Ontario-based not-for-profit organizations or collectives working in dance or another arts discipline supported by the Ontario Arts Council

Applicants must demonstrate appropriate professional dance expertise in the project through direct involvement or advisory participation.

What Qualifies as a Professional Dance Project?

Within this program, professional dance projects are those that:

Engage professional artists or arts professionals
Present work to public audiences (live or virtual) where required
Contribute to artistic growth, sector development, or public engagement
Demonstrate professional standards in choreography, production, or presentation

How to Apply

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Category

Choose the funding stream that aligns with your project goals (Creation, Production, Series, Mentorship, or Training).

Step 2: Define Project Scope

Clearly outline:

Artistic objectives
Participants and collaborators
Public showing or presentation (if required)
Timeline

Step 3: Prepare a Budget

Include eligible costs such as:

Artist fees
Production expenses
Accessibility costs
Administrative and venue expenses

Step 4: Demonstrate Professional Expertise

Show how qualified dance professionals are directly involved or advising the project.

Step 5: Submit Application

Follow the Ontario Arts Council application process and deadlines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Selecting the wrong funding category
Failing to include a required public showing (Creation category)
Presenting primarily self-produced work under Series and Festivals
Not demonstrating professional dance expertise
Including ineligible or unrelated expenses
Omitting accessibility considerations where relevant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum funding available?

Funding ranges from $2,500 to $20,000 depending on the category.

2. Can projects be virtual?

Yes. Production and presentation projects may be live or virtual.

3. Is mentorship funding open to all artists?

The Mentorship – Individuals category specifically supports Indigenous artists, Deaf artists, and artists with disabilities.

4. Do Creation projects require a public showing?

Yes. A showing of the work or work-in-progress is required.

5. Can collectives apply?

Yes. Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives are eligible.

6. Are childcare and accessibility costs eligible?

Yes. Childcare, dependent care, and accessibility-related costs are eligible expenses.

7. Must applicants be based in Ontario?

Yes. Applicants must be residents or have a head office in Ontario.

Conclusion

The Ontario Dance Projects Funding program provides structured support across five categories to strengthen dance creation, presentation, mentorship, and professional development in Ontario.

With grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, the program supports professional artists, collectives, and organizations engaged in advancing Ontario’s dance sector through high-quality artistic work and community-focused initiatives.