This program is administered by Neighbourhood Arts Network, a strategic initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation, in partnership with OCAD University and Work in Culture. It is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Challenge.
ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program (2025–2026)
Work in Culture (WIC) is partnering with Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network (NAN) to help deliver their 2025–2026 ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program, a workforce development initiative that connects newcomer artists and arts educators with credentialed training, mentorship, and paid work opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
As part of this program, GTA organizations can access skilled creative talent for a media arts or arts education project, with the newcomer artist/arts educator’s fees fully funded by ArtWorksTO. Learn more about the full program at torontoartsfoundation.org/programs/artworksto-newcomer.
Become a Project Host
Neighbourhood Arts Network and Work in Culture invited GTA-based organizations to collaborate with talented newcomer artists on a short-term creative project in media arts or arts education.
As a Host Organization, you’ll play a critical role in advancing equity by supporting the career development of a skilled artist who is building their future in Canada. You’ll work together on a creative project that aligns with your organizational goals, bringing fresh energy, perspectives, and skills to your team.
There is no direct financial cost to participate. Selected organizations will be matched with a newcomer media artist or arts educator to carry out the proposed project (of up to three months). Each participating artist will receive $5,000 from ArtWorksTO to cover direct project costs.
NAN and WIC will help facilitate the project, offering support to both the artist and your organization, to ensure that you have a smooth partnership experience.
Applications for Host Organizations are currently closed.
To receive future updates about the ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program, please sign up here to be added to the Work in Culture newsletter.
For more information about the program, please review the details and documents below to learn more. For further questions, please contact Stephanie Draker, Program Manager at [email protected].
Key Dates and Details
Applications open: June 23, 2025
Applications close:
- September 8, 2025 for Media Arts projects (stream 1) – Extended deadline
- November 17, 2025 for Arts Education projects (stream 2)
Information sessions:
Missed our live sessions? You can watch the recording of our July 9, 2025 info session here:
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from a wide range of GTA-based organizations, including:
- Arts organizations (all disciplines)
- Municipalities
- Libraries and community-serving organizations
- Nonprofit and for-profit organizations
- Small and large-scale businesses
To be eligible, your organization must:
- Be based in the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Durham, Halton, Peel, or York Region)
- Provide a project opportunity that supports the artist’s professional growth
- Offer a supportive and inclusive environment with a suitable workspace (in-person or virtual) and/or an accessible venue for the artist’s project
- Be available for a short onboarding and mid-point check-in
- Collaborate on program evaluation
Project streams:
Your project opportunity can focus on either Media Arts (stream 1) or Arts Education (stream 2):
Media Arts
Ideal for organizations seeking support with video, digital storytelling, podcasting, or visual media content. Projects may involve content creation, design, editing, or multimedia storytelling.
Arts Education
Perfect for organizations offering workshops or arts-based learning. Projects may involve curriculum development, arts programming and teaching, exhibition development, or community outreach.
Project timelines and budget:
Host Organizations must ensure that their project can be completed within three (3) months:
- Media Arts projects: November 10, 2025 – February 20, 2026
- Arts Education projects: March 2, 2026 – June 5, 2026
Each participating Media Artist or Arts Educator will receive $5,000 CAD to compensate for their time, expertise, and any materials directly related to their involvement in the program.
If your proposed project exceeds this amount, the Host Organization will be expected to cover the additional costs or adjust project activities to stay within the $5,000 budget.
How to Apply
Please download and review the Program Guidelines and Assessment Criteria [PDF] for full details.
Applications will be accepted:
- From June 23 to September 8, 2025 for Media Arts projects (stream 1) – Extended deadline
- From June 23 to November 17, 2025 for Arts Education projects (stream 2)
You can download a copy of the application questions in order to prepare your answers in advance:
You may submit multiple applications to one or both project streams.
Ready to apply?
- Applications for Media Arts (stream 1) are now closed.
- Applications for Arts Education (stream 2) are now closed.
What to expect after applying:
Media Arts projects:
- Host Organizations will be notified by late October 2025
- Matching and contracts with newcomer Media Artists will be completed by early November 2025
Arts Education projects:
- Host Organizations will be notified by early February 2026
- Matching and contracts with newcomer Arts Educators will be completed by late February 2026
Still have questions? Reach out to Stephanie Draker, Program Manager, at [email protected].
Programming Partners
Neighbourhood Arts Network (NAN), a strategic initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation, connects, supports, and uplifts multidisciplinary artists across Toronto. Through artist-centred mentorship, career training, and professional opportunities and resources, NAN sparks creative growth, fosters belonging, and champions equity in the arts.
Toronto Arts Foundation (TAF) is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment.
Work in Culture (WIC) is a non-profit arts service organization that advances the careers of artists, creatives, and cultural workers from diverse lived experiences, and supports the organization that engages them, through entrepreneurial and business skills development and innovative research.
OCAD University (OCADU) is Canada’s oldest and largest art and design university located in downtown Toronto. OCAD University advances interdisciplinary art and design education and research grounded in liberal arts and science driven by leading-edge technologies, innovative teaching and professional practice.
The 2025 ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Challenge.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Draker
Program Manager
Work in Culture
[email protected]