Deadline: 28-Oct-2026
The Visual Arts Projects Grant provides funding to not-for-profit visual arts organizations, artist-run centres, ad hoc groups, collectives, and independent curators in Ontario to research, present, document, and strengthen professional visual arts projects. Grants of up to CAD 15,000 support exhibitions, festivals, publications, residency programs, and presentation initiatives, while independent curatorial research projects can receive up to CAD 10,000.
Visual Arts Projects Grant
The Visual Arts Projects Grant supports professional visual arts initiatives that increase opportunities for Ontario artists, strengthen artist-led programming, expand public engagement with contemporary visual arts, and enhance the capacity of visual arts organizations and independent curators.
The program is designed to encourage research, exhibitions, publications, residency programs, festivals, and other presentation activities that contribute to Ontario’s professional visual arts sector.
Focus Areas
The program supports projects related to:
- Professional visual arts exhibitions
- Artist-run centres
- Contemporary visual arts
- Curatorial research
- Independent curators
- Public art galleries
- Visual arts festivals
- Residency programs
- Art catalogues and publications
- Artist-led programming
- Audience engagement
- Visual arts documentation
- Emerging artists
- Community arts engagement
- Professional artist fees
- Arts capacity building
- Contemporary art presentation
- Ontario visual arts sector
- Cultural development
- Non-profit arts organizations
Grant Amount
Applicants may request:
- Up to CAD 15,000 for:
- Not-for-profit visual arts organizations
- Artist-run centres
- Public art galleries
- Ad hoc groups
- Collectives
- Independent curators undertaking presentation projects
- Up to CAD 10,000 for:
- Independent curators conducting research projects
Award amounts may be lower than the amount requested depending on available funding and competition.
Purpose of the Grant
The program aims to strengthen Ontario’s visual arts ecosystem by supporting professional presentation, research, documentation, and audience engagement initiatives.
Funding encourages organizations and curators to:
- Create significant exhibition opportunities for Ontario artists.
- Increase public access to professional visual arts.
- Support emerging and artist-driven programming.
- Strengthen artist-run centres.
- Build independent curatorial practice.
- Expand collaboration between artists, galleries, and communities.
- Promote professional standards through payment of artist fees.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Visual art exhibitions
- Curated exhibitions
- Public art presentations
- Festivals
- Residency programs
- Curatorial research
- Publications and catalogues
- Documentation projects
- Community engagement initiatives
- Artist talks
- Educational programming linked to exhibitions
- Professional artist fees
- Audience development activities
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit visual arts organizations
- Artist-run centres
- Public art galleries
- Ad hoc groups and collectives with at least 50% Ontario-based members
- Independent curators based in Ontario
- Other not-for-profit organizations presenting professional visual arts projects
Organizations located within larger institutions such as:
- Libraries
- Museums
- Universities
- Municipalities
may apply if the gallery has its own governing board or dedicated advisory committee responsible for gallery operations.
Organizations outside the visual arts sector must demonstrate the involvement of qualified visual arts professionals in the proposed project.
Who is Not Eligible?
The program does not support:
- Individual visual artists applying for creation or exhibition of their own work
- Full-time undergraduate or graduate students applying as independent curators
- Independent curators employed full-time at public galleries or artist-run centres
- Municipal governments
- Universities
- Colleges
- Commercial art galleries
- Organizations already receiving specified Ontario Arts Council visual arts operating grants (unless specifically eligible under priority group provisions)
Projects taking place within already-funded artist-run centres or galleries under certain Ontario Arts Council operating programs are also generally ineligible.
Eligible Project Categories
Funding is available under four categories:
- Galleries, artist-run centres, and not-for-profit arts organizations
- Ad hoc groups and collectives
- Independent curator presentation projects
- Independent curator research projects
Eligible Expenses
Grant funding may be used for:
- Professional artist fees
- Curatorial fees
- Exhibition production
- Installation costs
- Publication design and printing
- Documentation
- Venue expenses
- Public programming
- Residency costs
- Promotion and marketing
- Audience engagement activities
- Administrative expenses directly related to the project
Why This Grant Matters
Ontario’s professional visual arts sector depends on organizations and curators that create opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and connect with audiences.
This grant helps:
- Increase professional opportunities for artists.
- Support emerging curators.
- Expand access to contemporary art.
- Strengthen artist-run organizations.
- Encourage innovative exhibition models.
- Preserve and document important visual arts projects.
- Build stronger community engagement through visual arts.
How to Apply
Follow these steps before submitting your application:
- Identify the most appropriate funding category.
- Confirm your eligibility.
- Develop a detailed project plan.
- Prepare a realistic project budget.
- Demonstrate professional artist involvement.
- Include professional artist fee payments.
- Clearly explain audience engagement strategies.
- Describe expected artistic and community outcomes.
- Gather all required supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application before the deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Present a clearly defined project with measurable outcomes.
- Demonstrate strong artistic merit.
- Show meaningful opportunities for Ontario artists.
- Include realistic timelines and budgets.
- Explain community and audience benefits.
- Highlight experienced project leadership.
- Ensure professional artist fees are included.
- Provide evidence of curatorial expertise.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity to deliver the project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying as an individual artist for personal artwork.
- Omitting professional artist fees.
- Submitting incomplete budgets.
- Proposing activities outside the program scope.
- Failing to explain audience engagement.
- Choosing the wrong funding category.
- Not demonstrating qualified visual arts leadership.
- Including ineligible applicants or activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply?
Ontario-based not-for-profit visual arts organizations, artist-run centres, public galleries, collectives, ad hoc groups, and independent curators are eligible.
How much funding is available?
Presentation projects may receive up to CAD 15,000, while independent curatorial research projects may receive up to CAD 10,000.
Can individual artists apply?
No. Individual artists cannot apply to fund the creation or presentation of their own artwork under this program.
What kinds of projects are supported?
Eligible projects include exhibitions, festivals, residency programs, publications, catalogues, curatorial research, and other professional visual arts initiatives.
Are professional artist fees required?
Yes. Projects must include payment of professional artist fees.
Can galleries within universities or museums apply?
Yes, provided the gallery has an independent governing board or advisory body dedicated solely to gallery operations.
Can funding be used for exhibitions?
Yes. Exhibitions are one of the primary activities supported under the program.
Conclusion
The Visual Arts Projects Grant provides valuable support for Ontario’s professional visual arts community by funding exhibitions, research, publications, festivals, residency programs, and artist-led initiatives. By investing in curators, artist-run centres, public galleries, and not-for-profit organizations, the program strengthens artistic excellence, expands public engagement, and creates lasting opportunities for Ontario artists to showcase their work.
For more information, visit Ontario Arts Council.
