Open Call for Artists in Communities and Schools Projects (Canada)

The Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program supports community-engaged arts initiatives across Ontario by bringing professional artists and community members together to co-create meaningful artistic experiences. The program provides grants of up to $20,000, plus up to $3,000 in mentorship funding, for planning, project delivery, and eligible two-year community arts initiatives.

Artists in Communities and Schools Projects

The Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program provides funding for community-engaged arts projects that connect professional Ontario artists with community members to collaboratively create artistic experiences.

The program recognizes both the creative process and the final artistic outcome as equally important. It supports projects that strengthen communities, increase access to the arts, and encourage collaboration across multiple sectors.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Support community-engaged arts practices across Ontario.
Foster collaboration between professional artists and community members.
Encourage collective artistic creation and participation.
Increase access to arts experiences for underserved and marginalized communities.
Reduce barriers to participation in the arts.
Promote community connection, civic engagement, and social inclusion.
Support projects that contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Encourage partnerships between the arts sector and fields such as health, education, justice, and the environment.
Create employment opportunities for Ontario artists working within Ontario communities.

Funding Categories

The program offers three funding categories.

Planning

This category supports the early stages of community-engaged arts projects, including collaborative planning and project design.

Funding available:

Up to $7,500

Project

This category supports the implementation and delivery of community-engaged arts projects.

Funding available:

Up to $12,500

Two-Year Project

This category supports larger community-engaged arts initiatives delivered over a two-year period.

Funding available:

Up to $20,000

This category is available only to eligible community-engaged arts collectives and organizations that have received two or more Ontario Arts Council project grants through community-engaged arts or arts education programs within the previous five years.

Mentorship Funding

Applicants in any funding category may request:

Up to $3,000 in additional mentorship funding.

Mentorship funding can support professional learning, artistic development, and project capacity building.

Grant Amount

Funding is available as follows:

Planning: Up to $7,500
Project: Up to $12,500
Two-Year Project: Up to $20,000
Additional Mentorship Funding: Up to $3,000

Eligible Projects

The program supports community-engaged arts initiatives that:

Bring professional artists and community members together.
Encourage collaboration throughout the creative process.
Produce collective artistic experiences.
Build stronger community relationships.
Promote social inclusion and civic participation.
Improve access to arts opportunities.
Support underserved or marginalized communities.
Foster partnerships beyond the arts sector.

Projects may involve collaboration with sectors such as:

Health
Education
Justice
Environment
Community development

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

Professional Ontario artists.
Co-applicants who are professional Ontario artists.
Ad hoc groups and collectives with at least 50% of members residing in Ontario.
Ontario-based not-for-profit arts organizations.
Ontario-based not-for-profit non-arts organizations.
School boards that are not participating in the Ontario Arts Council Artists in Residence (Education) program (artist fees and travel expenses only).
Schools operated by First Nations or Indigenous education authorities.

Applicants must meet all applicable Ontario Arts Council eligibility requirements.

Partnership Requirements

The following applicants must partner with an eligible arts partner:

Non-arts organizations.
School boards.
Schools operated by First Nations or Indigenous education authorities.

Eligible arts partners include:

Professional Ontario artists.
Arts collectives.
Ad hoc arts groups.
Arts organizations.

Two-Year Project Eligibility

The Two-Year Project category is available only to eligible community-engaged arts collectives and organizations that:

Have received two or more Ontario Arts Council project grants through community-engaged arts or arts education programs within the previous five years.
Deliver activities over a two-year period.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants are not eligible:

Municipalities.
Colleges and universities.
Amateur arts organizations, including community theatre companies.
Artists employed by a participating school on a full-time or part-time basis during the project period.
School boards participating in the Ontario Arts Council Artists in Residence (Education) program.
Recipients of a Two-Year Project grant whose final report has not yet been approved.
Organizations receiving an Ontario Arts Council operating grant, unless they are mandated to serve one or more Ontario Arts Council priority groups.

In addition:

Organizations receiving a 2025–26 Arts Organizations in Communities and Schools: Operating grant may apply only for projects taking place after the operating grant period.
Seasonal camps, festivals, events, and Ontario Arts Council operating grant recipients are not eligible for the Two-Year Project category.

Program Benefits

The Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program helps to:

Increase public participation in community arts.
Support meaningful collaboration between artists and communities.
Build stronger community connections.
Improve access to arts programming for underserved populations.
Encourage cross-sector partnerships.
Promote equity, inclusion, and civic engagement.
Strengthen Ontario’s community-engaged arts sector.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Demonstrating meaningful community collaboration.
Clearly explaining the community need the project addresses.
Showing active participation by community members throughout the creative process.
Building partnerships across multiple sectors.
Including realistic budgets and project timelines.
Demonstrating long-term community impact.
Explaining how the project increases access for underserved communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program?

Professional Ontario artists, eligible collectives, not-for-profit organizations, eligible school boards, and schools operated by First Nations or Indigenous education authorities may apply, provided all program requirements are met.

How much funding is available?

Funding includes:

Up to $7,500 for Planning projects.
Up to $12,500 for Project grants.
Up to $20,000 for eligible Two-Year Projects.
Up to $3,000 in additional mentorship funding.

What types of projects are supported?

The program supports community-engaged arts initiatives where professional artists and community members collaborate throughout the creative process to produce shared artistic experiences.

Is an arts partner required?

Yes. Non-arts organizations, eligible school boards, and schools operated by First Nations or Indigenous education authorities must partner with a professional artist, arts collective, ad hoc arts group, or arts organization.

Who is eligible for the Two-Year Project category?

Eligible community-engaged arts collectives and organizations that have received at least two Ontario Arts Council community-engaged arts or arts education project grants within the previous five years may apply.

Can mentorship funding be requested?

Yes. Applicants in any category may request up to $3,000 in additional mentorship funding.

Conclusion

The Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program provides valuable funding to support collaborative, community-engaged arts initiatives across Ontario. By offering grants of up to $20,000, plus additional mentorship funding, the program encourages professional artists, community organizations, schools, and collectives to work together in creating inclusive artistic experiences that strengthen communities, expand access to the arts, and promote social connection, creativity, and civic engagement.