Theatre Projects

Overview

The Theatre Projects program provides funding to professional, non-profit theatre organizations and collectives for the creation, production and presentation of theatre works and other projects that support the development of professional theatre in Toronto. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council. Works conceived for digital platforms are eligible in all categories.

Grant Categories

• Full Production: supports rehearsal, production and presentation of fully developed work. Maximum grant: $20,000.
• Production in a Festival: supports the rehearsal, production and presentation of a work in an established festival in Toronto. Confirmation of festival participation is required. Maximum grant: $10,000.
• Workshop: supports the development of work and involves artists and playwright in the workshop process, and must include a reading or a presentation. Maximum grant: $15,000.
• Special Initiatives: supports projects that develop and advance the practice of theatre in Toronto, and/or contribute to understanding and appreciation of theatre. Projects can include festivals, opportunities that benefit the theatre community, conferences, forums, symposiums, etc. Maximum grant: $15,000.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: March 2, 2026
• Application Deadline: August 4, 2026
• Projects submitted to March deadline must take place after June 1
• Projects submitted to August deadline must take place after November 1
• All projects must be completed within two years of the date on the Notification Letter

Eligibility

Applicants must be either an incorporated non-profit organization or an unincorporated collective operating on a not-for-profit basis and must be located in the City of Toronto. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet this requirement. Organizations with a regional Toronto office must have operated in the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the deadline. For collectives of two artists, both must be City of Toronto residents. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must be City of Toronto residents. Collective members cannot be Theatre undergraduate students. Artists must be professional, meaning they have developed their skills through training and/or practice; are recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic tradition; actively practice their art; seek payment for their work; and have a history of public presentation. The project for which funding is requested must take place in the City of Toronto. Applicants may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Theatre program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs.

Project Requirements

TAC will not fund 100% of a project; applicants must indicate a range of revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services. The payment of artist fees is a requirement in this program. Project expenses can include artist fees, production and technical fees, marketing and outreach costs, administrative costs, childcare costs, etc.

What Will Not Be Funded

• Projects that have been started or completed prior to announcement of results
• Schools, tuition-funded training programs, curriculum-based programs, or research projects (such as academic research projects)
• Projects focused solely on professional development
• Organizations or collectives that receive Operating funding from TAC
• Educational and religious institutions, unless there is clear separation in programming and budget
• Individuals
• Projects for which project leads are not based in Toronto
• Ongoing operating costs, such as permanent staff salaries and general administration
• Costs related to equipment purchase, capital projects (building purchase or renovation), fundraising activities, deficit reduction, publishing and archiving projects, awards and award ceremonies
• Projects conceived for creation of a film or competitive purposes, or art therapy
• Activities taking place outside City of Toronto (such as touring, travel, accommodations)
• Projects conceived for creation of film or digital works led by media artists

Contact

• Elahe Marjovi, Program Manager
• Theatre & Large Institutions
• 416-392-6802 x 220
• [email protected]