Deadline: 05-Aug-2025
The Toronto Arts Council has opened applications for its Literary Projects Program, which offers grants to support a range of literary activities. These can include spoken word events, reading series, literary festivals, conferences, and more. The program aims to encourage vibrant literary expression across the city.
This initiative provides funding to professional, non-profit literary organizations and collectives based in Toronto. It supports one-time or time-limited projects that contribute meaningfully to the city’s literary scene through production, presentation, or public engagement.
The program is funded through an annual allocation approved by Toronto City Council. The maximum grant available under this scheme is $8,000.
Eligible projects may include Writer-in-Residence programs, literary festivals, conferences or symposia for professionals and audiences, and events that feature storytelling, spoken word, dub poetry, or literary readings.
To qualify, applicants must be either incorporated non-profit organizations or unincorporated collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis. A collective must include at least two professional artists working together under a group name. These groups must be located in the City of Toronto, and a P.O. Box cannot serve as a qualifying address.
If the collective includes only two members, both must reside in Toronto. If there are more, the majority of members must live in the city. All participating artists must be professionals, with recognized skills, public presentation history, and payment for their work. The payment of artist fees is mandatory for all projects.
The proposed project must also be held within Toronto. Applicants can receive only one grant per calendar year through this literary program and may not apply for other TAC discipline-specific grants.
However, the program does not fund projects that have already begun or are completed before the grant results are announced. Operating costs, such as staff salaries or general administration, are also ineligible. In addition, organizations that already receive TAC operating support, individuals, and schools (unless their arts activities are clearly separate) are not eligible.
This program serves to uplift and support Toronto’s rich literary culture by helping artists and organizations bring creative, public-facing literary projects to life.
For more information, visit Toronto Arts Council.
