Funds support deaf artists and artists with disabilities

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has established resources for deaf artists and artists with disabilities.
OAC’s new strategic plan, Vital Arts and Public Value, identifies deaf artists and artists with disabilities as a new priority group. A number of initiatives have been established to support this group.

OAC will provide up to $500 per individual in one fiscal year towards the costs of accessibility services [e.g. translation from American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) to English or French, a personal assistant to read aloud OAC documents or to transcribe verbal responses and prepare the written application, assistive devices or software]. Artists are responsible for arranging the accessibility support.

Applicants with a disability or who are deaf, may also apply for financial support towards the costs of accessibility services related to realizing a project (e.g. ASL/LSQ interpretation, personal assistants, transportation, assistive devices or software). Funds toward these costs will be awarded in addition to the artists’ grant.

For details, please contact the granting officer responsible for the program of your choice.

Program guidelines and application forms will be available in Spring 2015. The deadline for this program is July 3, 2015.

For more than 50 years, the Ontario Arts Council has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. In 2013-2014, OAC funded 1,737 individual artists and 1,095 organizations in 223 Ontario communities, for a total of $52.1 million.