Ontario Arts Council Dance Projects Funding Program 2026

🌟 About Ontario Arts Council Dance Projects Funding Program

The Ontario Dance Projects Funding Program supports the creation, production, and presentation of live and virtual dance in Ontario. It also includes mentorship, training, and community development initiatives.

🎁 Benefits of the Program

• Creation: Maximum $5,000
• Production and Presentation: Maximum $20,000
• Series and Festivals: Maximum $15,000
• Mentorship – Individuals: Maximum $2,500
• Training and Community Development – Ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations: Maximum $7,500

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Professional dance artists who are Ontario residents.
• Ontario-based ad hoc groups and collectives of dance artists or arts professionals with expertise in dance.
• Incorporated not-for-profit dance companies, dance series, dance festivals, and other dance organizations with a head office in Ontario.
• Other not-for-profit organizations or ad hoc groups and collectives, such as non-arts organizations or organizations working in another arts discipline supported by OAC.
  • Applicants must demonstrate engagement with appropriate professional dance expertise to carry out the project. This can include the expertise of dance professionals directly involved in the project or an advisory committee with dance professionals.

Special Notes:

• Only Indigenous artists, Deaf artists, and artists with disabilities can apply as individuals to the Mentorship – Individuals category.
• Dance companies that receive an operating grant of $30,000 or under from Dance Organizations: Operating, and are led by Indigenous artists, artists of color, Deaf artists, or artists with disabilities, can apply to the Training and Community Development – Ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations category.

📅 Application Date and Process

How to Apply:

1. Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. Applications will open approximately two months before the deadline.

Before Applying:

• Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for basic eligibility requirements and restrictions.
• Create or update your profile in Nova.

Application Requirements:

Your application must include:

• Basic information about the project.
• Answers to application questions.
• Project budget:
  • The OAC will not fund 100% of a project in the Production and Presentation, and Series and Festivals categories.
  • Applications to these categories must include a range of revenue sources such as other grants, box-office sales, registrant fees, etc.
• Artistic examples: Submit 3 video examples (maximum 3 minutes each). Do not include work produced while you were a student.
• Support documents:
  • Applicant’s résumé/bio.
  • Bios of any artist confirmed at the deadline date.
  • Letters of support/reference or letters of agreement/confirmation are not required, except for applicants to the Mentorship, Training, and Community Development categories.

Complete instructions and requirements are available in Nova.

📌 Application Deadline

12 March, 2026

🔗 Application Portal

View details of the Ontario Arts Council Dance Projects Funding Program.

Apply via Nova.

• Creation: maximum $5,000
• Production and presentation: maximum $20,000
• Series and festivals: maximum $15,000
• Mentorship – Individuals: maximum $2,500
• Training and community development – Ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations: maximum $7,500