Funding & grants

Purpose

The program supports opportunities for Ontario artists at any stage of their career to acquire new artistic skills to advance their arts practice. It funds all contemporary and traditional art practices that are supported at OAC. All learning must be led by an expert and include feedback throughout the training period. Experts include mentors, teachers, trainers, and Elders. Projects may include study, training, mentorship, and/or apprenticeship.

There are two categories:

Purpose

The program supports the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects in Ontario. Activities involve professional Ontario artists and community members working together to design, develop and realize collective creative experiences.

Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program 

The Ontario Arts Foundation and the Gordon Foundation are pleased to announce the renewal of the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program. The Program aims to foster a broader appreciation of Canadian visual art and artists by assisting public art galleries and museums in Ontario to grow their permanent collections, increase the public’s knowledge of collecting and permanent collections, and support community engagement between a gallery or museum and its local community.
 

Grants are offered through two granting streams:

The Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnerships Fund supports partnerships and collaborations that create new opportunities and visibility for Indigenous-led arts and culture. The fund aims to spark new relationships between Indigenous artists, arts and culture leaders and professionals, and potential partners at both the grassroots and institutional levels.

The Short-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional and aspiring artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months.

First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to speak to a Program Officer before applying.

The Small-Scale Activities component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds activities that will advance your artistic career or practice. This may include acquiring materials for artistic production, engaging in career or artistic development activities or benefitting from specific expertise, advice or training from a professional artist or cultural carrier. This component is open to First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines.

Young people who care about their communities are increasingly getting involved in philanthropy.

By forming Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) within local community foundations, young people come together to raise money, build endowment funds and make grants to local youth projects. YACs are in their teens and twenties, with a lot of ideas and energy to bring to the table. There are already YACs in more than 55 communities across Canada, and the momentum is building.

OVERVIEW

​Arts organizations across Canada are increasingly reliant on digital tools, including online ticketing, donor databases, collaboration platforms, and other systems essential to daily operations. However, this digital shift also exposes them to growing cybersecurity risks.

The Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP) is a biennial competition and exhibition of Canadian visual art. Offering $50,000 in awards, SSNAP is one of Canada’s largest celebrations of contemporary art. The prize is administered by the not-for-profit Salt Spring National Art Prize Society to recognize, showcase and advance the accomplishments of Canadian visual artists.

Learn more about the prizes here

Submissions open on January 3rd, 2027 and close May 31st, 2027

As a charitable organization, you have specific funding needs. We support charities in the Edmonton area across many sectors, including: