Application deadlines: March 3 and August 5, 2025
For questions about this program, contact Rudrapriya Rathore, Program Manager, Literary & Music Operating.
What does this program support?
Through its Literary Projects Program, Toronto Arts Council (TAC) provides funding to professional, non- profit, Toronto literary organizations and collectives to pursue one-time or time-limited literary projects involving production, presentation and other activities that contribute to the development of the literary arts in Toronto. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council.
The maximum grant available in this program is $8,000. TAC will not fund 100% of the project budget. Applicants must indicate a range of revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services. Applicants may receive less than the full amount requested. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Writer-in-Residence programs;
- Literary festivals;
- Conferences or symposia for literary professionals and their audiences;
- Series or performance events that incorporate any or all of the following: readings, storytelling, dub poetry, spoken word, etc.
These grants contribute to the costs associated with a literary project, including artistic fees, production and technical costs, marketing and publicity costs, event documentation expenses, administrative costs, etc. Due to potential public health restrictions, social distancing rules and venue closures, works conceived for digital platforms are eligible.
TAC Accessibility grant
Projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities may apply for an additional TAC grant by completing the Accessibility Expenses section of the application and including the requisite information in their budget. A TAC Accessibility grant will provide up to a maximum of $5,000 towards accessibility costs for artists incurred during the project. Accessibility costs include but are not limited to: ASL interpretation, audio description, closed captioning, communications assistants, attendant care (including helpers for Elders), support workers and equipment rentals or other supports required to meet artists’ accessibility needs).
When can the project happen?
- Applications submitted to the March deadline should be for projects taking place after June 1 and applications submitted to the August deadline should be for projects taking place after November 1;
- All projects must be completed within two years of the date on the Notification Letter.
Who can apply?
If you are a first-time applicant, or if you have any questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact the Literary Program Manager.
- To apply to Literary Projects applicants must be either an incorporated non-profit organization or an unincorporated collective operating on a not-for-profit basis.
- A collective is defined as two or more artists working together under a group name, either on a single project or on an ongoing basis.
- Organizations and collectives must be located in the City of Toronto. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet this requirement. Organizations with a regional Toronto office must have operated in the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the deadline.
- For collectives of two artists, both must be City of Toronto residents. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must be City of Toronto residents.
- Artists must be professional. A professional artist is someone who has developed their skills through training and/or practice; is recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic tradition; actively practices her/his/their art; seeks payment for her/his/their work; and has a history of public presentation.
- TAC recognizes that due to systemic barriers within the broader arts community (e.g. limited mainstream presentation opportunities for artists from equity-seeking communities) that some flexibility may be required in interpreting eligibility criteria to take into account equivalent professional experience and contexts. Potential applicants from equity-seeking communities are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the Program Manager in advance of submitting an application.
- The payment of artist fees is a requirement in this program.
- The project for which the funding is requested must take place in the City of Toronto.
- Applicants may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Literary program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs. However, TAC offers other types of granting opportunities through its Strategic Initiatives envelope, and you may be eligible to apply to one of these programs. Please consult TAC’s website for other granting opportunities.
This Program does not fund:
- Projects that have been started or completed prior to the announcement of results. Toronto Arts Council does not fund retroactively.
- Organizations or collectives that receive Operating funding from TAC
- Schools that are part of Ontario’s public or private education system
- Educational and religious institutions, unless there is a clear separation in both programming and budget between their regular activities and their arts activities
- Individuals
- Ongoing operating costs, such as permanent staff salaries and general administration of an organization. This program is not intended to support an organization or collective’s ongoing activities. For information about Annual Operating funding, please contact TAC’s Literary Program Manager
- Costs related to equipment purchase, capital projects (such as building purchase or renovation), fundraising activities, deficit reduction, publishing and archiving projects, awards and award ceremonies, projects conceived for the creation of a film or for competitive purposes, art therapy
- Activities taking place outside of the City of Toronto (such as touring, travel, accommodations)
- Expenses related to publishing, book launches, and archiving projects; awards and award ceremonies, fundraising projects, deficit reduction, art therapy, equipment purchase, capital projects (e.g. renovation)
How do I apply?
Applicants register and submit the application on TAC Grants Online (https://tac.smartsimple.ca). Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on the deadline dates. TAC does not accept applications by any other means of delivery. You will receive a confirmation email when your application is submitted. Check your spam/junk mail folder if it doesn’t arrive in your in-box.
Please download the full Program Guidelines for complete program details and application specifics.
Application Accessibility Support For Deaf Persons Or Persons With Disabilities
Applicants who are Deaf or have a disability and need support to complete their grant applications can apply for funds to cover the costs of assistance from Application Support Service Providers. Up to $500 is available per eligible applicant in each calendar year. Please contact your Grant Program Manager at least six weeks before the grant program deadline to determine eligibility, request application support funding, and to review the process for payment to be made to your Service Provider. Requests for application support require approval from the Grant Program Manager.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Rudrapriya Rathore, Program Manager, Literary Arts & Music Operating
416-392-6802 extension 236, rudrapriya@torontoartscouncil.org
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