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Exhibition Assistance

The program supports Ontario-based artists and artist collectives working in visual arts, craft and media art practices in the presentation of their artwork in a confirmed public exhibition.

Offered by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

Amount

Up to $2,000

minimum $500, maximum $2,000 per application; up to $2,000 in Exhibition Assistance grants per applicant for applications submitted during the program year

Quick eligibility check

Years in business
No minimum stated
Employees
No limit stated
Revenue
No limit stated
Legal structure
Sole proprietor, other
Location
Ontario

Who can apply

  1. professional visual artists, craft artists and media artists who reside in Ontario and have a confirmed, public exhibition
  2. Ontario-based visual, craft and media artist collectives that have a confirmed, public exhibition

Collectives

  1. For this program, eligible collectives are defined as unincorporated groups of two or more artists who create collaboratively and exhibit together.
  2. Collectives may apply in the name of the collective, or may choose an individual to represent it as the applicant.
  3. Only one individual can apply on behalf of the collective at any time. An amount awarded in the name of the individual counts towards their $2,000 limit for the program year.
  4. If the collective applies, OAC issues the grant cheque in the name of the collective. Grant cheques cannot be re-issued in the name of an individual.
  5. For a group exhibition, where artists present their own individual work, each artist must apply individually for their own expenses.

Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.

Eligible exhibitions

:

  1. exhibitions in Ontario, in other Canadian provinces and in international locations
  2. exhibitions in public art galleries, artist-run centres and commercial art galleries
  3. solo and group shows
  4. do-it-yourself (DIY) or self-presented public exhibitions
  5. exhibitions in alternative public locations such as community centres, restaurants or rented spaces
  6. art fairs, collective studio tours and exhibits at trade fairs

Note: Virtual/online exhibitions are eligible if presented by a gallery/museum or other professional exhibition platform. Self-presented virtual exhibitions are not eligible.

The exhibition for which you are requesting funding:

  1. must start on or after January 15, 2026
  2. must be completed no more than two years after you receive the grant notification

About the funding

  1. minimum $500, maximum $2,000
  2. You may submit up to three Exhibition Assistance applications at a time.
  3. Each application must be for only one exhibition. You can apply to different recommenders for the same exhibition, or for different exhibitions.
  4. You may receive up to $2,000 in Exhibition Assistance grants, for applications submitted during the program year. This amount can be from more than one recommender, and towards one or more exhibitions.
Show all funding details
  1. If you are awarded more than one grant in a single third-party recommender program within its 2026-27 year, these grants will count as one grant toward your three-grant limit for 2026. The recommender programs are: Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials, Exhibition Assistance, Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators and Recommender Grants for Writers.
  2. Due to the number of applications received and the limited funds available, grants awarded may be smaller than the amount requested.
  3. If your application includes ineligible expenses, OAC may reduce the recommended amount to cover only eligible expenses or withdraw the application.

Important

:

  1. If you have submitted three Exhibition Assistance applications during the 2026-27 program year, you must wait to be notified of the results of one of them before you can submit another.
  2. If you have applied for the same expenses to more than one recommender, and are awarded a grant by one of them, you must contact the OAC. You cannot receive more than one Exhibition Assistance grant to cover the same expenses.

Grants assist with the artists’ costs related to the presentation of artwork in a confirmed, public exhibition.

Eligible expenses

:

  1. presentation costs, including framing, display structures, mounting and installation hardware and supplies and construction of structural elements specific to an installation, photo printing for exhibition
  2. audio-visual presentation equipment
  3. technical and installation expenses and fees, including the cost of preparing or documenting artwork to present in a virtual/online exhibition
  4. crating and transportation of works of art
  5. exhibition venue rent or booth fee
  6. exhibition promotional expenses
  7. insurance

Only costs that are the artists’ responsibility, and not covered by the gallery or presenter, are eligible. See further details in the expenses section of the application.

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