HomeGrant Programs Discover TAC Grants TAC Grants Theatre Annual Operating

Application deadline: March 4, 2024

For questions about this program, contact Sarah Miller-Garvin, Interim Program Manager, Theatre: sarahmg[at]torontoartscouncil[dot]org

Toronto Arts Council provides funding support to outstanding artists and arts organizations that contribute to the cultural life of the City of Toronto. TAC is committed to artistic excellence, innovation, and accessibility, and supports a wide spectrum of artistic endeavour and a range of activity that makes the City of Toronto one of the leading cultural centres in Canada. Through its support, TAC cultivates a richer engagement between artists and audiences and reflects the City of Toronto through the diversity of artists, arts communities and audiences that it serves.

What does this program support?

The Theatre Program provides Annual Operating support to professional1 non-profit theatre organizations (both incorporated and unincorporated) engaged in the creation, production and presentation of theatre, and other activities that contribute to the development of theatre, theatre artists, and theatre audiences in Toronto. Funding through this program supports both operations and programming. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council. In addition to the objectives stated above, the Theatre Program is strongly committed to the development and performance of works by Canadian artists.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for Annual Operating funding, an applicant must:

  • be non-profit;
  • be a professional1 theatre organization;
  • be located in the City of Toronto and have a significant portion of its activities occurring within the City;
  • have a history of sustained theatre activity over the two years prior to this application;
  • have received a minimum of two project grants through TAC’s Arts Discipline or Strategic programs;
  • have a viable administrative structure;
  • have professional artistic leadership;
  • have sound financial management;
  • be governed by a Board of Directors or other body responsible for the organization;
  • submit verification of financial results of the last completed fiscal year:
    • for requests over $30,000, audited financial statements are required;
    • for requests of $30,000 or less, if annual operating revenues are $100,000 or more, a review engagement is required, (or, if available, audited financial statements);
    • for requests of $30,000 or less, if annual operating revenues are under $100,000, unaudited financial statements that include a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenses is required, (or, if available, audited financial statements or a review engagement);
  • demonstrate a range of revenue sources on an annual basis, including earned, government and private sector revenues.
  • Organizations must conduct their theatre activities on an annual, ongoing basis either throughout the year or on a seasonal basis. A single project does not constitute annual or seasonal activity. Organizations, whose level of activity varies from season to season, in keeping with their mandate, must describe their multi-year creation and production cycle. Annual and biennial festivals that have completed a minimum of two editions are also eligible. 

Organizations may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Theatre program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs. However, TAC offers other types of granting opportunities through its Strategic Initiatives envelope, and operating grant recipients may be eligible to apply to one of these programs. Please consult TAC’s website for other granting opportunities. Operating grant recipients may receive a maximum of one additional grant per calendar year and must submit a final report on that project before applying to another program in the Strategic Initiatives envelope.

First-time Applicants

First-time applicants are organizations that did not receive an operating grant last year.

  • First-time applicants must consult with the Theatre Program Manager before submitting an operating grant application.
  • Additional eligibility requirement. First-time applicants must have at least $75,000 in total revenues for the last completed year, and in projected revenues for the current and request years.
  • First-time applicants to the Annual Operating program may only apply in the first year of a multi-year cycle. The next year that first-time applicants may submit an application is:​
    • Service organizations 2024
    •  Theatre companies 2025

Can I Apply to Other TAC Grants?

Organizations may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Theatre program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs. However, TAC offers other types of granting opportunities through its Strategic Initiatives envelope, and operating grant recipients may be eligible to apply to one of these programs. Please consult TAC’s website for other granting opportunities. Operating grant recipients may receive a maximum of one additional grant per calendar year and must submit a final report on that project before applying to another program in the Strategic Initiatives envelope.

[1] 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. 

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