Black Arts Projects

Who can apply

When can the project happen?

1. The Project Start Date must be a minimum of 4 months after the submission date
2. All projects must be completed within two years of the date on the Notification Letter
3. To apply to the Black Arts Projects Program, applicants must identify as a Black professional

artist or artist collective, or be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization. The payment of artists’ fees is a requirement of all categories in this program.

1. TAC recognizes that due to systemic barriers within the broader arts community (e.g. limited

mainstream presentation opportunities for artists from equity-seeking communities) that 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 applying.

1. 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 tradition; actively practices her/his/their art; seeks payment for her/his/their work; and has a history of public presentation.

1. You may not apply as an individual and an organization or collective for the same project at

the same time. If you are one of the members of an applicant collective, you may also apply as an individual for an unrelated project in the same competition year.

1. The project for which the funding is requested must take place in the City of Toronto
2. Applicants may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Black Arts Project and

may not also have a pending application to the Black Arts Operating program. However, applicants may still apply for different projects to arts discipline programs as well as other strategic initiatives programs that TAC offers. In this case, the applicant may receive up to one project grant in each funding stream and three project grants [3] total per calendar year.

Please note: if you apply for a Black Arts project grant you cannot also apply to another TAC program for the same project. Please visit TAC’s website for other granting opportunities.

For Individuals:

1. 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) and, if requested, be able to provide documentation to verify this.

1. 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. Note: Temporary absences of up to one year may be considered, subject to written explanation and special permission.

Please contact the Program Manager.

1. Professional artists who are pursuing a graduate degree may not apply for work related to

their thesis. Note: A letter from the graduate program director confirming that the project is not related to the graduate student’s thesis may be required. Please contact the Program Manager.

For Organizations and Collectives:

1. Organizations and collectives must be incorporated non-profit organizations or

unincorporated collectives which operate on a non-profit basis2. 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 and Black. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must be City of Toronto residents and Black.

1. Organizations must be Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving, including a majority of

Black members on its leadership team, including Board of Directors, Board Executive, and management.

1. Organizations and collectives must be located in the City of Toronto. A Post Office Box

address cannot be used to meet this requirement.

Black-led: majority of leadership at all levels are Black. Black-focused: primary goal of the organization is to meaningfully support and engage Black communities. Black-serving: a significant portion of program activities prioritize serving Black communities