TAC Announces New Project Grants Program for Indigenous Arts

May 7, 2015 - Toronto Arts Council is pleased to announce the creation of an annual multi-disciplinary project grant specifically for Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) artists, collectives and organizations.

TAC recognizes the distinct role of Indigenous people within Toronto’s diverse communities, and the city’s rich historic and cultural significance as a place for ceremony, gathering, trade and exchange. 

The program was conceived after a consultation process with members of the Indigenous arts community in Toronto.  It has been designed with the goal to increase participation in and access to Toronto Arts Council funding by Indigenous artists, while increasing the creation and presentation of Indigenous art in the City. 

“We are proud to have supported a wide range of Indigenous artists and arts practices over the years through our discipline programs,” says Claire Hopkinson, TAC Director and CEO.  “This new program is an opportunity for us to engage more deeply with the Indigenous arts community and create an important access point to those artists we are not reaching.”

The Indigenous Arts Projects program will grant funding to projects in the following categories:

  • Creation: support for artistic creation in any artistic discipline, including research and development, and commissions ($8,000 maximum).
  • Presentation and Dissemination: support for the exhibition, presentation and dissemination of Indigenous artistic work in any artistic discipline ($15,000 maximum).
  • Indigenous Sector Development: support for projects that develop and advance the practice of Indigenous arts and Indigenous artists in Toronto.  ($8,000 maximum).

The program is a TAC discipline program, and is open to applicants who do not access TAC funding through operating funding or other discipline programs during the application year.  2015 will be a pilot year for the program, which will be followed by an evaluation process that will inform ongoing directions for the program. 

The deadline for applications is September 22nd, 2015. 


To organize an information session or to discuss potential project applications, please contact Kerry Swanson, kerry@torontoartscouncil.org, 416 392 6802 x 209.

For more information on eligibility and program guidelines visit: http://www.torontoartscouncil.org/grant-programs/art-discipline-funding/indigenous-arts