2016 Grants at a Glance

What is the Toronto Arts Council? The Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is an arms-length organization funded by the City of Toronto to support the development, accessibility and excellence of the arts in our city. „„ We offer grants to Toronto-based professional artists and arts organizations. „„ We advocate on behalf of the city’s artists to increase arts awareness, access,

participation and appreciation. „„ We support cultural diversity and innovation in arts creation and presentation. „„ We provide outreach to ensure that the entire city is represented in our programs.

About TAC’s Granting Programs TAC supports the disciplines of Community Arts, Dance, Indigenous Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre and Visual/Media Arts. The main grants programs at the TAC are: Art Discipline Project Grants „„ Project grants to Individual Artists provide project-specific support for the

development or creation of art. „„ Project grants for Organizations and Collectives are for specific projects and are not

meant to cover operating or ongoing expenses. Art Discipline Operating Grants „„ These are ongoing grants designed to support arts organizations for both their

operations and programming. Organizations must have successfully completed a minimum of two discipline project grants before they are eligible for operating funding. Strategic Initiatives Grants „„ TAC has a number of strategic initiatives grants available to individual artists,

organizations and collectives working in any of the arts disciplines. Some of these include Artists in the Libraries, Animating Historic Sites and Museums, Artists in the Schools, and Animating Toronto Parks.

Peer Review TAC grants are awarded through a peer assessment process, meaning that all grants are evaluated by a committee or jury of professional artists and arts administrators. The peer-review process is a valuable tool in ensuring transparency, equity and rigour in grants evaluation.

Visit www.torontoartscouncil.org or talk to a Grants Officer for more information about grants programs.

200-26 Grand Trunk Crescent Toronto, Ontario M5J 3A9

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Are you Eligible to Apply for a Toronto Arts Council Grant? This checklist of General Guidelines will help you determine if you are eligible to apply for a TAC grant. Individual artists must … „„ Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants) or have an application pending for Permanent Resident Status. „„ 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 eight months per year.

Ready to Write Your Grant? Top 10 Grant Writing Tips 1

artistic tradition; actively practices his or her art; seeks payment for his/her work; and has a history of public presentation. „„ Register as an individual artist at https://tac.smartsimple.ca Organizations and collectives must … „„ Be located and operating in the City of Toronto. „„ Be an incorporated non-profit organization or a non-profit collective (two or more artists working together under a group name). „„ Have experience working in the arts. „„ Have a viable administrative and financial plan for meeting the proposed activities. „„ Have received two project grants in order to be eligible for operating funding. „„ Register as an organization or collective at https://tac.smartsimple.ca

TAC Grants Online Applications to all programs are now submitted through TAC’s online grants management system (https://tac.smartsimple.ca). Applications will not be accepted by any other means of delivery.

TAC applicants must speak to a Grants

Outline Your Action Plan: Clearly outline the steps that will be taken to

ensure the successful completion of your

to discuss your application with any funder in

project. Think about questions a jury may ask.

advance of writing a grant. Write down all of

Ensure that your plan is detailed and in line

your questions and think about your project idea

with your proposed budget and objectives.

in preparation for this discussion.

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Give Yourself Adequate Time: Successful grant writing is not done at

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Create a Realistic Budget: Research the cost of activities, materials, fees,

and equipment. Talk to others who have done

the last minute. You should be researching and

similar work. Research potential partners and

formulating ideas for your grant application at

other funders who may be able to support the

least two months prior to the deadline.

costs of the project. Include in-kind or donated

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Read the Guidelines: Applications to all programs are now submitted through

TAC’s online grants management system (https://tac.smartsimple.ca). It is important to

services and materials in your budget or budget notes.

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Get Feedback: It is always a great idea to have an experienced grant writer

first read the guidelines to ensure your project

read a draft of your grant application. Grants

is eligible and a good fit for the program.

Officers may also support you by reading a

Program guidelines are available on TAC’s

draft of your proposal and providing feedback.

website, and the applications are accessible

Make sure that you provide adequate time for

once you register on TAC Grants Online.

this process (at least four weeks prior to the

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Determine Artistic Vision and Goals: Think about your artistic vision and what

you want to accomplish with the work. Talk *Note: Each program at the Toronto Arts Council has its own specific guidelines. Visit www.torontoartscouncil.org for complete program guidelines or contact the relevant Grants Officer.

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Officer before applying. It is always a good idea

„„ Be a ‘professional’ artist, which the TAC defines as someone who has developed their skills through training and/or practice; is recognized as such by artists working in the same

Contact your Grants Officer: First-time

deadline).

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Gather Support Materials: Do not wait until the last minute to gather

about the project with others and articulate its

your support materials. This may be the

unique artistic merits and importance.

only opportunity a jury has to see your work

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Write Clearly and Directly: Answer all of the questions as directly as possible.

Thoroughly outline the steps that will be taken to successfully complete your project. If you are not sure about the meaning of a question, ask your Grants Officer.

and support material is a crucial factor in a jury’s decision. Ensure that materials are the strongest examples of your work and are in the correct formats for uploading.

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Follow Instructions: Do not put so much hard work into a grant application

only to miss the deadline! Make sure you check the deadline submission time and ensure you have time to go over your application before you hit “submit.” 2

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Frequently Asked Questions I just moved to Toronto. Can I apply?

I applied last year and wasn’t successful. If I call the Grants Officer what can they tell me?

No, you must live in the city for at least one year prior to the deadline. We do not accept post

The jury deliberations are confidential and comments made during the proceedings will not be

office box numbers as evidence of residency.

released. However, the grants officer can explain the process and let you know if your grant

I’m currently doing my MFA in Toronto. Can I apply? Yes, professional artists pursuing graduate studies may apply but not for work related to your program of study. Undergraduate students cannot apply. I was an artist in my home country. I’ve been in Toronto for four years and have an application pending for permanent residence as a refugee claimant. Am I eligible to apply? Yes, the Toronto Arts Council was the first funding body to accept applications from people seeking Permanent Resident status. You may be requested to provide documentation about your claim. How many grants can I apply to per year? Applicants can only receive one Discipline Grant per year, in addition to one Strategic Initiative grant per year. Read the guidelines and speak with the Grants Officer in your discipline to determine which program is the best fit for your project. How specific do I need to be when describing my project? What if my project changes? It is a good idea to provide a clear estimate of what your project is going to look like so that the jury and the board know what they are assessing and approving. Your estimate indicates what you expect will result with the completion of your project. The jury understands that plans may change; an estimated 20 minute film may turn out to be 25 minutes. Individuals, organizations and collectives who have received funding for a project that has resulted in something very different from what was proposed will need to contact the Grants Officer to discuss the implications this has for funding. Our project involves artists who are Deaf or have a disability – can we apply for additional funds to help cover accessibility costs for these artists?

was complete and clear. How does the assessment process work? Depending on the program, TAC grants are assessed by either a jury or committee of independent practicing artists and arts professionals. Jury and committee members are selected to reflect a balance of gender, cultural diversity, and stage of career. After reviewing all grant applications within each program deadline, each jury and committee meets as a group to discuss, score and award grant applications in a rigorous process facilitated by the Grants Officer. When will I get the results? Applicants will be notified by email when the results are available, and will be able to log in to TAC Grants Online to receive their results. Notification will be received within three months of the deadline date. Results are not released over the telephone. What can I spend the money on? Grants are intended to cover the direct costs of creation, production, operations, subsistence and materials, depending on the program. Read the application carefully to understand what expenses are eligible. Subsistence costs include rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utility bills, costs associated with transportation, etc. Creation or material costs could include things such as equipment, production costs, research materials, computer maintenance, etc. We do not request receipts. The grant is taxable income. Does the Toronto Arts Council own my work if I get a grant? No, the TAC does not own any part of the work it funds through its grants programs. Do I have to pay tax on my grant? All grants to individual artists are considered taxable income. Grant recipients are required to

Yes. Projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities may apply for an additional TAC

maintain adequate accounting records as to the receipt of funds from TAC. A T4A form will be

grant by completing the Accessibility Expenses section of the application and including the

issued and should be retained for income tax purposes.

requisite information in their budget. TAC Accessibility grants are available in applications to TAC’s Arts Discipline Funding – Project programs. I received a grant a few years ago and am not sure if I sent in a report. Does it matter? I did

I am interested in becoming a member of the jury. How can I be considered for the position? If you are interested in becoming a juror, contact the Grants Officer of your discipline or expertise. It is not guaranteed that you will be invited to sit in a jury after you have expressed interest.

complete the project. Yes, it matters. As part of the conditions of receiving public money you are requested to send in a final report. You will not be able to apply for another grant until we receive all outstanding final reports. Final reporting is an important tool for TAC to evaluate our programs and advocate for increased funding. 4

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COMMUNITY ARTS

TAC 2016 Grants Calendar

JANUARY

MUSIC JANUARY

Christy DiFelice [email protected]

FEBRUARY 1 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

MARCH 1 Annual Operating Grants (all professional organizations)

FEBRUARY 17 Mid-Cycle Reports for Community Music Making

MARCH 7 Multi-Year Operating Grants, Year 1 (choirs and opera organizations)

APRIL

MAY

SEPTEMBER

JULY

OCTOBER 3 Music Creation and Audio Recording (individual artists)

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Leah-Simone Bowen [email protected] MARCH 1 Annual Operating Grants (theatre organizations)

APRIL

JUNE 15 Writers and Playwrights Grants (individual artists)

MAY

MARCH 7 Multi-Year Operating Grants, Year 1 (organizations)

AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

VISUAL / MEDIA ARTS JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH 1 Annual Operating Grants (visual/media arts organizations) Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

DECEMBER

Peter Kingstone [email protected] APRIL

MAY

JUNE

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SEPTEMBER 15 Visual Artist Grants (individual artists)

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY 1 Annual Operating Grants (dance organizations) Multi-Year Operating Grants (organizations and collectives)

MARCH 15 Long-Term Project Grants (organizations, collectives and individual artists)

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations, collectives and individual artists)

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Timea Wharton-Suri [email protected]

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH 1 Annual Operating Grants (literary organizations) Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

APRIL

MAY

JUNE 15 Writers & Playwrights Grants (individual artists)

JULY

AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES GRANTS JANUARY 11 Animating Toronto Parks Grants

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY 14 Animating Historic Sites and Museum Grants

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER 3 Artists in the Library Grants

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

INDIGENOUS ARTS

MARCH 31 Mid-Cycle Operating Reports AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

NOVEMBER

Open Door Funding - TBA | ArtReach Toronto Grants (www.artsreach.org) – TBA | TAC Cultural Leaders Lab - TBA

MARCH 7 Multi-Year Operating Grants (public galleries)

JULY

OCTOBER

Timea Wharton-Suri [email protected]

MARCH 31 Mid-Cycle Operating Reports AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

SEPTEMBER

LITERARY

MARCH 15 Long-Term Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

JULY

JUNE

FEBRUARY 16 Project Grants (organizations, collectives and individual artists) JULY

FEBRUARY 1 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

MAY

DANCE

THEATRE JANUARY

APRIL

MARCH 31 Multi-Cycle Operating Reports

JANUARY

AUGUST 2 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

MARCH 1 Annual Operating Grants (community arts organizations)

JUNE

MARCH 31 Mid-Cycle Operating Reports JULY

FEBRUARY 1 Project Grants (organizations and collectives)

Andrew Suri [email protected]

OCTOBER 17 Media Artist Grants (individual artists)

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Project Grants (Indigenous artists, collectives & organizaions) Deadline TBA

Program deadlines are subject to change. Visit www.torontoartscouncil.org to confirm your date. 7

Toronto Arts Council Board of Directors

Staff

Susan Crocker, Chair

Claire Hopkinson, Director and CEO

Nova Battacharya, President

Susan Wright, Deputy Director

Harold Chmara, Treasurer

Beth Reynolds, Director of Grants

Andrew Walker, Secretary

Taiwo Bah, Grants Assistant

Dallas Bergen

Leah-Simone Bowen, Theatre Officer

The Hon. Aileen Carroll

Margo Charlton, Research and Impact

Councillor Shelley Carroll

Manager

Neera Chopra

Christy DiFelice, Music Officer

Councillor Josh Colle

Sarah Gladki, Outreach Associate

Councillor Gary Crawford

Erika Hennebury, Animating Toronto Parks

Meaghan Davis

Officer

Cara Eastcott

Natalie Kaiser, Executive Assistant

Councillor John Filion

Armen Karapetyan, Finance Officer

Councillor Paula Fletcher

Peter Kingstone, Visual/Media Arts Officer

Dina Graser

Sarah Miller-Garvin, Grants Assistant

Josh Grossman

Michelle Parson, Office Manager

Lauren Howes

Andrew Suri, Community Arts Officer &

Louis Laberge-Côté Richard Lee Chris Lorway

Manager, TAC Grants Online Timea Wharton-Suri, Dance and Literary Arts Officer

Rob MacKinnon Devon Ostrom Soheil Parsa Gäetane Verna Jesse Wente Gein Wong Alissa York

A Special Thank You We would like to acknowledge and thank our Board of Directors, Staff, Committees, Community Partners, and Toronto City Council for their work in supporting Toronto’s thriving arts and cultural sectors. Since 2013, Toronto City Council has approved an 80% increase to Toronto Arts Council’s grants program. TAC encourages artists, arts workers and Board members to thank the Mayor and your local Councillor for their support. Let them know the impact of the funding increase on you, your organization and/or the City. Visit: www.torontoartscouncil.org/advocates-for-the-arts

Photos by Sean Howard Cover: Paola Gomez & Alex Usquiano, co-founders of Sick Muse Art Projects Back: Tanya Mars, performance and video artist 8

200-26 Grand Trunk Crescent Toronto, Ontario M5J 3A9