Indigenous Arts Support | Grants for Collectives and Organizations

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has established Indigenous Arts Support, a $4-million grant program announced in early November by the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. The one-time project program supports the artistic practice and career development of First Nations, Inuit and Métis aspiring and established professional artists working in customary, traditional and contemporary art forms, as well as organizational development for Indigenous arts organizations and collectives.

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) respects Indigenous creative expression and worldviews and recognizes the diversity, vitality and importance of Indigenous cultural and artistic practices in our province. This one-time program aims to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts organizations and eligible artist collectives to build organizational and creative capacity. It funds a wide range of administrative and artistic activities and expenses. 

The program welcomes arts organizations and artists collectives working in customary, traditional and contemporary arts practices. It will be administered by Indigenous staff members, and applications will be assessed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals.

This program is very flexible: one grant application can include several different activities, and grant recipients can make changes to their project plans, in consultation with the program officer, as long as new activities are eligible. Grant recipients will have three years to spend and report on their grant.

The program has three categories:  

Indigenous artist collectives: $25,000 maximum 

Indigenous arts organizations: $60,000 maximum  

Established Indigenous arts organizations: $225,000 maximum

What does this program support?  

A wide range of administrative and artistic activities and expenses that help Indigenous arts organizations and artist collectives build organizational and creative capacity. 

The program’s priorities are to support:  

• projects that reflect the range of artistic practices supported by OAC
• organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to long-term impact for Indigenous artists and communities
• collectives and organizations located in regions across Ontario, including northern, rural and remote communities
• collectives and organizations that, in addition to producing and/or presenting artistic work, also offer activities that engage the public in other ways (for example, workshops)

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