Ontario Arts Foundation

10/01/2026

Gina’s Prize is now accepting nominations for 2027 Gina Wilkinson Prize.

Theatre artists from underrepresented genders which includes cis women, trans women, and non-binary people who have acquired foundational training (from a training program or through experience) and have worked for at least 5 years are eligible for Gina’s Prize.

Nomination deadline: December 15, 2026

Fore more information: https://oafdn.ca/gina-wilkinson-prize-2027-call-for-nominations-now-open/

09/17/2026

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) invites submissions for the 2026 Fabienne de Cartier Award for Poetry, a $2,500 annual literary award recognizing an exceptional young and emerging Ontario poet (16-25 years) whose work demonstrates artistic promise, courage, originality, and a deep commitment to the craft of poetry.

The award honours the life and legacy of Fabienne de Cartier, a young Toronto poet and activist whose creativity, compassion, and commitment to social justice continue to inspire.

For more information: https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/electric-cabaret/

09/14/2026

A big congratulations to costume designer Rachel Forbes who is the 2026 winner of the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this annual $30,000 award recognizes exceptional achievement by a mid-career professional costume designer in Ontario.

Beginning this year, the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award is introducing an annual Protégé Award in support and recognition of emerging theatrical costume designers in Ontario. Rachel Forbes has selected Des'ree Gray to receive the inaugural $7,500 Protégé Award.

Congratulations to both designers!

Read more here: https://oafdn.ca/rachel-forbes-honoured-with-the-virginia-and-myrtle-cooper-award-in-costume-design/

08/06/2026

We are happy to announce that nominations are open for the 2026 Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship. This annual award encourages the development of the field of arts management through professional development, research, networking and sharing.

Nominations are open from now until October 2, 2026.

Read more about the fellowship here:

The 2026 Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship is now open for submissions 2026-08-05 / By Ann Boyd Toronto, August 5, 2026 – The Ontario Arts Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship. The Fellowship encourages the development of the field of arts management by provi...

06/30/2026

Congratulations to Corey Butler and Ted Runcie who have been awarded the Kathleen McMorrow Music Award. This $10,000 award recognizes the composition and presentation of contemporary classical music by Ontario composers.

Corey Butler is being awarded for his composition of four original pieces for chamber orchestra and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale. The lyrics and music are inspired by and rooted in the folk foundations of Nathanial Dett. The completed work is scheduled to premiere in October 2027, at the Rose Theatre in Brampton.

Ted Runcie is receiving his award for a commissioned project for orchestra. It was commissioned by the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor Ronald Royer. The project had its world premiere in November 2025 at the Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel.

read more here: https://oafdn.ca/composers-corey-butler-and-ted-runcie-awarded-the-kathleen-mcmorrow-music-award/

06/23/2026

06/12/2026

Arnab Sen joins an illustrious group, after recently being named the 2026 recipient of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award. Congratulations Arnab, and we look forward to following your career!

read more here: https://oafdn.ca/arnab-sen-awarded-the-tim-sims-encouragement-award/

06/01/2026

Ontario Arts Foundation (OAF) and the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) are delighted to announce that Clay and Paper Theatre is this year’s recipient of the $25,000 Ray Ferris Innovation and Sustainability Grant. This annual grant recognizes advances in theatrical design and the promotion of environmental sustainability in live theatre. The grant was presented today during the press conference announcing the nominees for the 46th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards presented by the Romano D’Andrea Foundation, held by TAPA at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto.

Read more: https://oafdn.ca/clay-and-paper-theatre-presented-with-the-annual-ray-ferris-innovation-and-sustainability-grant/

05/26/2026

Congratulations to this year's shortlisted books for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award - Middle Reader / Young Adult category.

More info: https://oafdn.ca/shortlists-for-the-2026-ruth-and-sylvia-schwartz-childrens-book-awards-announced/

05/26/2026

Congratulations to this year's shortlisted books for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award - Picture Book category.

More info: https://oafdn.ca/shortlists-for-the-2026-ruth-and-sylvia-schwartz-childrens-book-awards-announced/