Application deadline: June 16, 2025
For questions about this program, contact Sarah Miller-Garvin, Interim Program Manager, Theatre: sarahmg[at]torontoartscouncil.org
WHAT DOES THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT?
Toronto Arts Council's Playwrights Program provides support to playwrights for the writing of theatrical plays.
There are two levels of grants in this program:
LEVEL ONE: $4,000 – for new or emerging playwrights with little or no prior history of production.
LEVEL TWO: $8,000 – for mid-career or senior playwrights who have written at least one work for the stage which has been professionally produced or presented as part of a theatre season or at a theatre festival.
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.
WHO CAN APPLY?
- Applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents or have an application pending for Permanent Resident status or be a Protected Person (approved refugee claimant) and, if requested, be able to provide documentation to verify this.
- Applicants must be residents of the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the application deadline. Temporary absences of up to 12 months may be considered, subject to written explanation and special permission; please contact the Program Manager. A Post Office Box address can’t be used to meet the residency requirement.
- Undergraduate students cannot apply.
- Professional artists pursuing graduate studies may not apply for work related to their program of study. A letter from the graduate program director specifying that the project is not related to the graduate student’s program of studies must be submitted with the application.
- TAC recognizes that due to systemic barriers within the broader arts community (e.g. limited mainstream presentation opportunities for artists from equity-seeking communities) 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
- Writing projects in languages other than English or French are accepted if the writing sample is accompanied by an accurate English translation.
- An applicant must have started writing the play for which funding is requested. A sample of writing from the proposed project is required for this application.
- Applicants may submit an application to either the Playwrights or the Writers program, but not to both.
- Applicants may apply for funding for only one project per deadline.
- Applicants may receive a grant through TAC’s Playwrights or Writers Program only once every two years. Those who received a grant in 2022 are not eligible to apply in 2023 but may reapply in 2024.
- Collaborative proposals (involving a co-applicant) are eligible. For these proposals, one of the applicants must identify a principal applicant. Co-applicants are subject to the same eligibility criteria as single, individual applicant and must be involved equally in creation of the work. If the application is successful, the grant payment will be payable to the principal applicant, as listed in the application. Similarly, a T4A slip will be issued to the principal applicant.
THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT FUND
- Projects that have been completed prior to the announcement of results. Toronto Arts Council does not fund retroactively.
- Academic work or work towards a graduate degree; film or television scripts; publishing; translation; production costs associated with mounting a stage production; tuition fees.
- Projects that have been funded once in this program. Playwrights who receive a grant may not reapply to continue or finish the same project.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applicants register and submit the application on TAC Grants Online. 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.
The Playwrights Program assessment process is blind, meaning peer assessors are not given access to applicant names and resumes. To maintain anonymity, applicants must not identify themselves in the project description and support material sections of the application. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
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. For additional information please contact Sarah Miller-Garvin, Interim Program Manager, Theatre.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Sarah Miller-Garvin (she/her), Interim Program Manager.
sarahmg@torontoartscouncil.org, 416-392-6802 extension 205
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