Artists can apply for grants via mail or online submission
Back in the early 1960s, Ontarians unanimously voted that patronizing the arts was a necessary function of the government. Bill 162, signed in 1963, was legislated with the purpose of setting up and maintaining an arts council, ultimately creating the Ontario Arts Council. As a part of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, the OAC is directed by 12 volunteer board members from various communities around Ontario. The OAC’s grants and services help professional Ontario-based artists and arts organizations of all disciplines, including: Aboriginal arts, community arts, crafts, dance, music, literature, media arts, theatre, and visual arts, to name but a few.
Beginning in December 2016, applicants will be able to access and apply online to 2017 granting programs. The OAC hopes that the new online application system, NOVA, will make applying for grants a much more user-friendly approach, and remove some of the daunting aspects of submitting paperwork. A number of projects were chosen during the fall submission period in 2016 to act as pilot projects for the online granting system.
“The OAC’s grants and services help professional Ontario-based artists and arts organizations of all disciplines…”
One of the advantages of switching to an online application system is the decreased carbon footprint of the OAC. Before the switch, applicants could be expected to follow many paper-driven steps such as having to mail-in multiple photocopies of plans, portfolios, and written statements. Additionally, the new online granting process will eliminate the risk of potential postage mishaps. The instituting of an online service was certainly encouraged by the recent possibility of postage strike by Canada Post postal workers. Finally, in keeping with the OAC’s Accessibility Plan, the new online application system will make applying for grants a much more universal and accessible experience. Not every Ontarian has the finances or the resources to fund countless photocopies and postage, nor is every Ontarian able to access a postal office or mailbox. Having an online platform eliminates a serious level of classist and ableist nuance. Applicants will also be able to access their application at any time and will be able to coordinate with others involved with the application online.
“One of the advantages of switching to an online application system is the decreased carbon footprint of the OAC.”
Accompanying the switch, the OAC has redesigned their funding framework. While the six priority groups of the OAC remain the same, they have changed their granting programs. They will be reducing their number of programs from 86 programs by 27 per cent. The reduced programs will be reorganized into other groups to introduce more organization to the system and make finding categories for grants easier for applicants. There will be no downsizing in funding, however. Finally, in their commitment to accessibility, some exceptions will be made to accept paper applications.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman/The Ontarion.