Grant categories

TAC has two grant categories: Discipline and Strategic. Within these categories, there are different types of programs (grants) offered. Applicants are eligible to receive one grant from each grant category per calendar year. Any exceptions to this limit are outlined in the grant program guidelines.  

Grant Caetgory: Discipline

Discipline programs provide assistance for ongoing operations or for specific projects. 

Two “Funding Types” are offered through this category:  
 
1. Operating grants: Sustained funding for arts organizations (incorporated and unincorporated) and collectives for their ongoing activities. This funding contributes to both the artistic and administrative costs associated with the organization’s operations. Included in this are Annual Operating and Multi-Year Operating.   

• Annual Operating programs are offered on an annual cycle, where the assessment determines the grant allocation for the organization’s next fiscal year 

• Multi-Year Operating programs are offered on a multi-year cycle, where the assessment determines the grant allocation for the organization’s next three fiscal years. The Multi-Year Operating cycle is only open to applications once every three years. 

2. Project grants: One-time grants for time-limited projects, open to arts organizations, collectives or individual artists.  
 

Discipline programs include: 

Black Arts 

Creative Communities 

Dance 

Indigenous Arts 

Literary 

Music 

Theatre 

Visual/Media Arts 

With the exception of the Indigenous Arts and Black Arts programs, applicants can receive only one grant from the Discipline category per year. 

Grant category:
strategic

Strategic programs were created in response to specific needs such as: access to arts space, opportunities to explore and innovate, community building through the arts and leadership training. 

The objectives of these programs are to encourage collaboration between artists and institutions, provide access to space for arts programming, offer opportunities for arts activities outside the downtown core and leadership opportunities for arts workers.  

Many of these programs are a result of key partnerships that allow TAC to leverage arts funding with matching funds or in-kind resources.  

One “Funding Type” is offered through this category:

1. Project grants: One-time grants for time-limited projects, open to organizations, collectives or individual artists.  

Strategic programs include: 

Animating Toronto Parks 

​Animating Historic Sites 

Artists in the Library 

Open Door 

Newcomer and Refugee Arts Engagement 

Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship 

Creative Enquiry Lab 

With a few exceptions (Newcomer & Refugee Artist Mentorship and Creative Enquiry Lab), applicants can receive only one grant from the Strategic envelope per year.  Access the grant program guidelines for details.

Artists in the Schools

Toronto Arts Council partners with Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Prologue to the Performing Arts on tdsbCREATES; a four-week spring festival that includes artist residencies, mentorships and special arts presentation events.

tdsbCREATES celebrates student voice and creativity through the arts while honouring the unique and powerful exchanges that take place between professional artists, teachers, and students in TDSB schools across the city. tdsbCREATES is presented by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Arts Council with support from Prologue Performing Arts. Each year, students are encouraged to explore the festival theme through artistic creation in one or more of the arts.

Artist educators may apply to participate in the program. For application deadlines, details and contact information, visit the link below.

ArtReach

Toronto Arts Council partners with ArtReach to increase access and opportunities for cultural participation for youth across the city.

Application deadline: February 1, 2026 (to be determined)

ArtReach’s granting program supports community-based arts programming by and for artists aged 13-29 from equity-deserving populations in Toronto who experience systemic barriers to accessing professional arts opportunities. In addition to funding, ArtReach provides free and accessible capacity building initiatives that support the work of young artists and youth-led groups working towards social change in Toronto. Examples include grant-writing supports for applicants, mentorship for funded projects, virtual resources, and free workshops as part of their Grassroots Organizing and Leadership (G.O.A.L.) youth capacity-building series.

Toronto Arts Council provides funds to support ArtReach’s high-engagement approach to grant-making. The organization has established networks to reach youth and has enabled TAC to streamline the process by which we engage and invest in Toronto’s emerging artists, youth, and equity-deserving communities.

Those interested in applying to the ArtReach funding program must do so through ArtReach directly. Visit the link below.

Neighbourhood arts Network

Toronto Arts Council is a partner with other agencies and organizations for the ongoing development of Neighbourhood Arts Network (NAN).

Launched in 2009 and described as “the place where arts and community engagement meet,” NAN has expanded to over 1900 members, including artists, arts organizations, cultural workers and community agencies. The network acts as a catalyst for new discussions and relationships, facilitates capacity building and professional development, and facilitates a shared vision around the place of arts in community development. NAN creates new opportunities for emerging and diverse artists through their awards, which support professional newcomer artists and community-based arts projects, and through extensive partnerships with local arts organizations and festivals on learning, networking and arts animation activities.

Artists and arts professionals may browse NAN’s programs and opportunities by visiting the link below.   

Toronto Lit Up!

Toronto Arts Council has partnered with the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) on Toronto Lit Up – an initiative designed to spotlight local writers and empower them with career-building opportunities. Funding provides a diverse range of local authors with opportunities to be featured in book launches hosted across the city. Toronto Lit Up book launches are open to the public and free to attend.

Please check the Toronto International Festival of Authors website for information on submission eligibility and deadlines.