WHAT DOES THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT?

The Animating Toronto Parks grants program provides funding to professional artists, arts organizations, artist collectives, and non-profit organizations to create and present free arts programming in selected Toronto parks located in Etobicoke, East York, York, North York and Scarborough. For the purposes of this program, “arts programming” may include the presentation of dance, literary arts, music, theatre, visual and media arts, community-engaged arts, Indigenous arts, and other fields of artistic practice. Community consultation and/or engagement is a requirement of the program.

Animating Toronto Parks is a Strategic Funding Program managed by Toronto Arts Council (TAC), in partnership with Toronto Arts Foundation’s Arts in the Parks initiative, City of Toronto Arts & Culture Services, Parks and Recreation (P&R), Black Creek Community Farm, and community partner Park People.

The maximum grant in this program is $25,000. Grants awarded may be less than the full amount requested. Applicants are not required to secure other sources of funding. The payment of artists’ fees is a requirement of this program.

Grant recipients will be provided with:

• funding toward artist fees and production elements
• access to the park space (permit dates subject to approval by TAC and Parks & Recreation)
• coverage under the TAC’s liability insurance
• information regarding additional requirements (emergency action plan, waste and recycling diversion plan, etc.) or additional permits (noise exemption, building permit, etc.)
• an introduction to City of Toronto P&R permit staff and park supervisors, Park People, and local community/parks groups
• support under Toronto Arts Foundation’s Arts in the Parks initiative, including marketing, promotion, inclusion on the artsintheparksto.org website, wayfinding signage, onsite volunteers, assistance with local community outreach, and other support. Participation in Arts in the Parks is a requirement of the program.

Program Partners:

• Toronto Arts Foundation (Arts in the Parks) 
• City of Toronto Parks & Recreation
• Park People 
• Black Creek Community Farm 

WHAT IS ARTS IN THE PARKS?

Arts in the Parks is a free city-wide initiative managed by Toronto Arts Foundation (TAF), in partnership with Toronto Arts Council (TAC), Parks and Recreation (P&R), and community partner Park People. Arts in the Parks offers a wide range of in-kind supports to artists and arts organizations working in parks across the city, such as support with marketing, community engagement, on-site wayfinding signage, and volunteer coordination. Arts in the Parks is a core resource for Animating Toronto Parks grants recipients. To learn more about Arts in the Parks please visit https://artsintheparksto.org/.

when can the project happen?

All projects must be completed in the 2026 calendar year, and, in exceptional circumstances, no later than within two years of the date on the Notification Letter. The project cannot begin before the results are announced.

WHO CAN APPLY?

• This grants program is open to professional artists, not-for-profit arts organizations or artist collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis, and *not-for-profit organizations. (*not-for-profit organizations that are not arts-based may only apply to undertake projects that involve the artistic leadership of professional artists.)
• 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 field; actively practices their art; seeks payment for their work; and has a history of public presentation or exhibition.
• 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.

Eligibility for Individuals:

• Individuals must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents or have an application pending for Permanent Resident Status or be a Protected Person (approved refugee claimant). If requested, you must be able to provide documentation to verify this. Grant recipients must have a Social Insurance Number.
• Individuals must have been a resident of the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the deadline, and live and work in Toronto for at least 8 months a year. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet the residency requirement.

Eligibility for Organizations and Collectives:

• Organizations and collectives must be incorporated non-profit organizations or unincorporated collectives which operate on a non-profit basis. A collective is defined as two or more artists working together under a group name, either on a single project (ad hoc) or on an ongoing basis. 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.
• Not-for-profit organizations that are not arts-based are eligible to apply to this grants program. Projects must include the collaborative involvement of professional artists with community members, as well as the payment of professional artist fees.
• Organizations and collectives must be located in the City of Toronto. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet this requirement.

parks list

Following is a list of parks that have been pre-approved by City of Toronto Parks & Recreation for this program. You can choose one or more parks in the “Parks Selection” section of the grant application. Build your application around your preferred park(s). List your alternative park preferences. The grant review panel may assign a different park (or parks) for your project, where necessary. Be prepared to be flexible. It is strongly recommended that the first-time applicants select one park. For all applicants: if you want to program multiple parks, consider outreach for each of the local communities, obtaining permits for each park, site visits, etc. and include it in your work plan and budget. 

Parks list: list of available parks is subject to change; an alternative park may be assigned for your project.

Go here to check out a map of all park locations.

you will need a special events permit

Any activity in a City park (including rehearsals) will require a permit from Parks & Recreation (P&R). Park permits are all subject to approval by P&R, taking into consideration existing permits and limitations on some parks. If you receive an Animating Toronto Parks grant, you will still need to apply to PR&F for a special events permit. The special event permit fee will be waived so you do not need to budget for that, but there may be other costs associated with your activity in the park, such as noise exemptions or building permits. Be prepared to budget for these expenses. If your special events permit application is not approved by P&R, TAC, Toronto Arts Foundation and P&R staff will work with you to find an alternative park for your project. Be prepared to be patient and flexible.

The above park permit information does not apply to Black Creek Community Farm, where there is no permitting process, but the applicants for this location will still need to work out the details of their projects and the schedule with the farm’s staff.

Please review the Program Guidelines for more information about Special Events Permits. In summary:

• Animating Toronto Parks grant recipients need to apply for a Special Events Permit, however, Special Events Permit fees will be waived.
• Fees for permits required for any additional activity will not be covered under this program.
• Other Toronto Arts Council grant recipients may be eligible for reimbursement of park permit fees.

Information sessions

Watch this Video Recording of an information session that took place on October 24, 2022:

Additional Information