artsvest Regional – Ontario
Offered in addition to the national artsvest program, artsvest Regional in Ontario supports small and mid-sized arts and culture and heritage organizations in growing their sponsorship capacity through personalized mentorship and targeted training.
Combined with up to $5,000 in matching fund incentives for new sponsorship dollars raised, the regional program equips organizations with tools to attract and retain private sector partners, enabling them to grow and thrive.
The 2026 program returns with continued support from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) and welcomes a new provincial partner, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF), which will bolster the program with training resources focused on cultural tourism. The 2026 program will welcome 15 organizations. Returning participation is permitted, with priority given to new organizations.
Application Process:
Applying to artsvest Regional will also register you for artsvest National; a free, virtual, and accessible training program that focuses on building the capacity of cultural organizations across Canada. To be eligible, organizations must meet the criteria outlined below.
To be eligible, organizations must:
- Be located outside of the city of Toronto
- Priority will be given to organizations operating in: South Central Ontario (Durham, Halton, Peel, York); Northern Ontario; and Southwest Ontario (Brant, Chatham-Kent, Essex, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Oxford, Perth, Waterloo, Wellington)
- Be an incorporated, not-for-profit organization, society and/or registered charitable organization operating in Ontario and provide publicly accessible arts, culture or heritage programming, products or services
Additionally, organizations must meet at least two out of the three criteria listed below:
- have an annual operating budget under $1.5 million
- have five or fewer full-time employees
- have a mandate or programming focus that serves rural, systemically under-resourced, and/or equity-seeking communities
2026 Applications are open from February 17, 2026 to March 12, 2026.
Contact: artsvest@businessforthearts.org
artsvest’s Impact on Ontario
Ontario is our first ever province, launched in 2002. Since then, we have reached over 500 organizations in 41 communities.
About artsvest and artsvest Regional:
artsvest is Business / Arts’ signature mentorship and training program, with a strong history and demonstrated success in building the capacity of Canada’s cultural sector. artsvest Regional is a smaller, more focused program, available in areas where artsvest has secured regional investment. Offered in addition to the national artsvest program, artsvest Regional aims to grow the capacity of participating organizations in the area of sponsorship through comprehensive sponsorship training, expert mentorship, and a matching funds incentive. Applying to artsvest Regional will also register you for artsvest National. For more information on the national artsvest program, click here.
Funders
