Apply Now: Open Door Strategic Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 26-Nov-2026

The Toronto Arts Council Open Door program supports innovative projects led by Toronto-based non-profit arts organizations and artist collectives. The program focuses on projects with potential to create transformative change, encourage collaboration, demonstrate leadership, and strengthen knowledge-sharing across Toronto’s arts sector. Open Door is a strategic funding initiative of the Toronto Arts Council designed to support innovative and experimental projects within Toronto’s arts sector. The program encourages organizations and artist collectives to explore new approaches, build partnerships, and develop projects that can contribute to broader transformation in the arts community. Funding is intended for activities that demonstrate potential for significant impact beyond routine organizational operations. The program supports projects that introduce innovative, collaborative, or experimental approaches to arts and cultural work.

Eligible projects may focus on:

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed activities can contribute to the wider arts ecosystem in Toronto. Applicants must meet the program’s organizational and geographic requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

Applicants should ensure that they have an appropriate legal and organizational structure before applying. Projects must be planned and managed within the program’s specified timeframe.

Key requirements include:

Applicants should build realistic timelines and budgets around these requirements. The Open Door program is intended for projects that can contribute to meaningful change within Toronto’s arts sector. Transformative impact may involve developing new ways of working, strengthening collaboration, sharing knowledge across organizations, or creating approaches that can influence broader arts-sector practices. Applicants should clearly explain what makes their project innovative and how its outcomes could benefit audiences, artists, organizations, or the wider arts community. Projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities may be eligible for an additional TAC Accessibility Grant of up to $5,000. This additional support can help cover accessibility-related expenses required for artists to participate fully in the project.

Eligible accessibility costs may include:

Applicants should identify accessibility requirements early in the planning process and include appropriate costs in their project planning. The program creates an opportunity for Toronto’s arts organizations and collectives to test new ideas and develop approaches that may contribute to wider sector development. Supported projects can help organizations: Applicants should present a clear connection between the proposed project, its innovative approach, and its potential impact on Toronto’s arts sector.

A strong application should explain:

Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that do not clearly demonstrate the strategic purpose of the project.

Common issues may include:

Open Door is a strategic funding program that supports innovative projects by Toronto-based non-profit arts organizations and artist collectives with potential to create transformative impact in the arts sector. Eligible applicants are incorporated non-profit arts organizations and artist collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis and located in the City of Toronto. The program supports innovative, experimental, collaborative, and knowledge-sharing projects that demonstrate potential to contribute to transformative change within Toronto’s arts sector. Projects must be completed within two years of the notification letter. Activities cannot commence until three months after the application deadline. Yes. Projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities may apply for a TAC Accessibility Grant of up to $5,000 to cover eligible accessibility-related expenses. Potential accessibility costs include ASL interpretation, audio description, closed captioning, attendant care, and other supports needed to meet artists’ accessibility requirements. The Toronto Arts Council Open Door program provides support for Toronto-based non-profit arts organizations and artist collectives developing innovative projects with potential for transformative sector impact. By emphasizing experimentation, collaboration, leadership, and knowledge-sharing, the program provides a framework for organizations to explore new approaches while strengthening Toronto’s wider arts community. For more information, visit Toronto Arts Council.