Purpose
The program supports dance training derived from traditional, classical and/or contemporary African, Caribbean, Asian, Arabic, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Indigenous dance forms, and Deaf and disability dance practices. There are two categories:
- Dance companies: contribution to the artistic fees for their dancer training program(s)
- Individual dance artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability: contribution to the artistic fees for their dance training
Deadline dates
October 5, 2021, 1 p.m. ET
- Applications are available in Nova approximately two months before the deadline.
- Grant notification will be available approximately four and a half months after the deadline.
Grant amount(s)
- Dance companies: maximum $7,000
- Individual Deaf dance artists and/or dance artists with a disability: maximum $1,500
Important: Due to the number of applications received and the limited funds available, grants awarded may be smaller than the amount requested.
Recent changes
Grant notification is now available approximately four and a half months after the deadline. Refer to the “Activity timing” section on this page to understand how this may affect the timing of eligible activities.
- Individual applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
- Dance schools are no longer eligible applicants.
- Grant maximum amounts have been revised.
Eligible applicants
- dance companies or ad hoc groups/collectives led by:
- professional dance artists of colour, or
- professional Indigenous dance artists, or
- professional dance artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability
- dance companies that are Ontario-based, not-for-profit corporations or national not-for-profit corporations
- dance companies that receive an operating grant of $30,000 and under from Dance Organizations: Operating and are led by dance artists of colour or Indigenous dance artists.
- dance companies that receive operating funding from Dance Organizations: Operating and are led by dance artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability.
- individual professional dance artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability
- applicants that have a permanent physical address in Ontario
Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.
Ineligible applicants
- dance schools that train students for a professional career in dance
- organizations that receive an operating grant of over $30,000 from Dance Organizations: Operating except for dance organizations led by dance artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability
- organizations that receive an operating grant in other OAC programs, with the exception of organizations mandated to serve one or more of OAC priority groups
- You must demonstrate that you have engaged professional dance artists to carry out the project, for example, the expertise of the professional dance teachers directly involved in the project, and/or the expertise of an advisory committee that includes dance professionals.
- individuals except if they are Deaf and/or have a disability
- arts festivals/series
- elementary or secondary public or private schools
- colleges, universities and municipalities
- school boards
- Ontario schools run by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities
This program funds
- dance teacher(s), Elder(s) and/or Guru(s)fees, and their transportation and accommodation costs if they are not residents in your city/town/First Nation
- professional dancers’ fees for project’s training activities only
- artistic director’s fee to teach the training program or dance class(es)
- accompanist(s)’ fees
- administration costs that do not exceed $250
- studio rental
- child care and other dependant care fees (this does not include regular, ongoing expenses)
- expenses related to making the project accessible to audiences and project participants (other than the applicant) who are Deaf or have a disability
- Note: Applicants to this program who identify as Deaf or as having a disability may apply for supplementary funds for their own accessibility expenses through Accessibility Fund: Project Support.
Important: If your project costs are less that the category’s grant maximum, you do not need additional revenue sources.
This program does not fund
- creation, production, and presentation of dance work(s) (See Dance Projects)
- choreographic workshops (See Dance Projects)
- dance competitions
- events or activities that take place outside of Ontario
- costumes, scenery, music commissions and music recording
- tours (see Touring Projects)
- local transportation costs (transit fares, parking fees and mileage) and accommodation costs for the artistic director, students, teachers, dance artists or accompanists
- major capital expenditures, including buying, leasing or renovating buildings and purchase of major equipment major capital expenditures
- fundraising activities
- competition-based dance performances/series, or amateur, pre-professional or student productions/recitals
Activity timing
The activity for which you are requesting funding:
- cannot start before the deadline
- cannot finish before you receive your grant results
- must be completed no more than two years after you receive the grant results
Final report requirements
If you receive a grant you must submit a final report upon completion of the project. See Terms and Conditions — receipt of OAC project grant funds for more information on reporting obligations. Complete and submit the report in Nova.
Final reports for this program require grant recipients to provide:
- description of the project undertaken and its outcomes, including details on any minor or approved changes to what had been outlined in the application
- final budget
- If the budget you submit shows a surplus of more than $250 (revenues as compared to expenses), you may be required to repay the surplus amount to OAC.
- documentation and/or an explanation of how you acknowledged or will acknowledge OAC support for your project. This should include samples of OAC logo recognition on any promotional or other materials produced in conjunction with the project, such as publications, brochures, posters, invitations, websites, or videos/films. This could also include a description of verbal acknowledgement at public events or the intention to include OAC acknowledgement in associated future activities/materials
- you are not required to submit support artistic examples from the project undertaken
To apply
Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this approximately two months before the deadline.
Before applying, you must:
- read the Guide to OAC Project Programs
- read the Guide to OAC Assessment
- create or update your profile in Nova
Your application includes:
- basic information about the project
- your answers to application questions
- project budget
- artistic examples:
- Work of the dance teacher(s), Elder(s), Guru(s) or specialist(s). This may show them in performance or teaching a class.
- Applicant’s work
- support documents: applicant’s résumé/biography, and biography(ies) of the dance teacher(s), Elder(s), Guru(s) or specialists.
- Important: Letters of support/reference or letters of agreement/confirmation are not accepted.
Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.
For information on how assessors rate applications see the Evaluation Rubric – Skills and Careers.
For help creating a profile or submitting an application in Nova, see the Nova User Guide.
Program-specific definitions
- Dance class: a particular course of dance instruction with a group of professional dancers.
- Biography (or bio): a written account that is a description of a person’s accomplishments, including dates.
- Résumé: A list of a person’s education, qualifications and achievements. Each item includes a citation that refers to place and date.
Funding and grant information via OAC. For full details and information please visit the link.