Purpose
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) supports Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) creativity and celebrates the vitality of diverse cultural and artistic expression.
Indigenous Arts Projects is a multidisciplinary program supporting professional Indigenous artists, ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations to research, develop, and create new work. The presentation and sharing of Indigenous artistic work and initiatives strengthens and enriches the arts and culture overall, while benefiting both Indigenous artists and their communities.
The program is open to emerging, mid-career, and established Indigenous artists and arts professionals. It welcomes applicants working in both customary/traditional and contemporary Indigenous art expression.
Indigenous OAC staff members administer the program, and applications are assessed by juries comprised of Indigenous artists.
The program has three categories:
- Indigenous Individuals
- Indigenous Ad hoc groups and collectives
- Indigenous Organizations
Important: All individuals working on an application for an organization (including ad hoc groups and collectives) must create a personal profile in Nova and link it to the organization’s profile. See the Nova User Guide for step-by-step video instructions on how to set up profiles, start applications, and more.
Grants help cover the costs of:
- research and development that will lead to the creation of new work
- Artistic research, exploration and experimentation, including workshops and residencies, are eligible.
- creation and production of new work in art forms funded by the OAC
- presentations, exhibitions, publications and festivals in which the primary purpose of the project is to promote and distribute work by Indigenous artists
- connections and partnerships that bring artists together through events such as conferences, workshops, gatherings, delegations, and exchanges to foster relationships that strengthen the Indigenous arts community overall
Note: Applicants may apply to only one category.
Disciplines funded by the OAC:
- Dance
- Literature
- Media arts
- Multi and inter-arts
- Music
- Theatre
- Visual arts and craft
Priorities
- Projects that contribute to the development and growth of the arts and culture in Indigenous communities in Ontario.
- Projects that recognize and value the distinctive nature of the artistic and cultural expression of Indigenous Peoples.
- Projects that involve, support and pay fees to Indigenous artists.
- Projects that provide audiences with access to Indigenous artistic and cultural expression and experiences.