Indigenous Artists in Communities

The Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program supports Indigenous artists and Elders to lead arts-based projects in collaboration with communities and schools across Ontario, with the goal of sharing Indigenous cultures, stories, and creative knowledge through collaborative engagement.
  • Ontario Arts Council
Overview of the Indigenous Artists in Communities program:

Indigenous Artists in Communities provides funding for participatory activities that encourage learning, collaboration, and engagement between practicing Indigenous artists and individuals (who are not professional artists) in communities across Ontario. Projects may include workshops, collaborative art-making, storytelling, or other arts-based interactions that foster relationship-building and community connection through Indigenous artistic practice.

Benefits of the Indigenous Artists in Communities program:
  • Maximum grant amount of $15,000 to create projects that:
    • Fosters cultural revitalization, community healing, and intergenerational knowledge sharing
    • Connects schools and communities with Indigenous creative practices
    • Builds relationships between artists, Elders, teachers, and learners
    • Encourages culturally grounded art-making experiences
    • Respects Indigenous artistic protocols and local governance
Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous Artists in Communities program:
  • To apply, you must be First Nations, Metis, or Inuit and based in Ontario. You can apply as:
  • Individual Indigenous Artists or Arts Professionals
  • Must be emerging, mid-career, or established
  • Must reside in Ontario
  • Ad Hoc Groups or Collectives
  • At least 50% of members must be Indigenous
  • All members must be professional artists or arts professionals
  • At least 50% must live in Ontario (or both, if only two members)
  • Indigenous-Led Organizations
  • Ontario-based not-for-profit Indigenous arts or non-arts organizations, centres, or councils
  • Must be led by Indigenous individuals
  • Culture Carriers
  • Recognized First Nations, Metis, or Inuit knowledge holders within their communities
  • Indigenous-Run Schools in Ontario
  • Schools operated by First Nations or Indigenous Education Authorities
  • May apply to bring in Indigenous artists for in-school projects
  • Co-Applicants
  • Both must be Indigenous
  • Grant will be split evenly between them
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