Up to $20,000 Artists in the Library Grant

Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Public Library run Artists in the Library, which pays Toronto artists, collectives and non-profit arts organisations to create and deliver free, community-engaged arts programming at a library branch outside the downtown core. Grants go up to $20,000, can cover up to 100 percent of project costs, and fund programming that runs in the branch between September and December 2027.

What you get:

• A grant of up to $20,000, which can cover up to 100 percent of project costs, including artist fees, materials and equipment rental
• Space and facilities at an assigned Toronto Public Library branch, with support from the branch team
• Coverage under Toronto Arts Council's liability insurance
• Reimbursement by Toronto Public Library of Vulnerable Sector Checks for up to three people, where the project serves under 18s
• The option to apply separately for up to $5,000 more in accessibility costs for projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities

What you'll do:

• Design a substantial, community-engaged arts programme for one library branch or area: performances, screenings, readings, storytelling, filmmaking, workshops, artist talks, participatory or arts education programmes
• Deliver it on site, within branch hours, between September and December 2027, with all tickets free

• Individuals must be 18 or older, per Toronto Arts Council's general eligibility FAQ
• Individuals must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, pending permanent resident applicants or Protected Persons, and recipients need a Social Insurance Number
• Individuals must have lived in the City of Toronto for at least one year before the deadline and live and work in Toronto at least 8 months a year; a PO Box does not count
• Must be a professional artist: trained or practising, recognised by peers, seeking payment for their work, with a history of public presentation. Equivalent experience is considered for equity-seeking applicants
• Students may not apply for work related to their academic program of study
• Organisations must be incorporated non-profit arts organisations, or unincorporated collectives of two or more artists operating on a non-profit basis, located in Toronto
• For a two-artist collective both must be Toronto residents; for larger collectives, most members must be
• Proposals must fit Toronto Public Library's programming policy and cannot duplicate core TPL programmes; downtown branches (south of St. Clair, east of Jane, west of Don Valley) and Bookmobiles are not eligible
• One branch or area per application, and only one TAC Strategic grant per calendar year
• Apply online through TAC Grants Online; no other delivery method is accepted