The program for northern Ontario artists, arts organizations, and collectives aims to promote artistic work and develop relationships with arts presenters in Ontario, Canada, and abroad

Good news for artists in northern Ontario who are looking to expand their horizons.

Last week, the Ontario Arts Council announced a new pilot project called Market Development Travel: Northern Arts which aims to promote artistic work and develop relationships with arts presenters in Ontario, Canada, and abroad.

The OAC stated in a press release that the program is only open to northern Ontario artists, arts organizations, and collectives. The southern 'boundaries' for eligibility include the Manitoulin, Nipissing, and Parry Sound districts.

The program is open to professional artists who reside in northern Ontario for at least eight months of the year, as well as incorporated not-for-profit arts organizations based in northern Ontario, along with 'arts collectives' where at least 50 percent of members live in northern Ontario.

Among the expenses covered are:

Transportation

Accommodations

Per Diems

Event registration costs

Promotional materials

As far as the type of events that may be covered by the grant, the regulations appear relatively loose.

"As long as there will be relevant arts presenters, curators, directors, programmers, or publishers in attendance," stated the release.

This includes art exhibitions, festivals, showcases, networking events, symposiums, and conferences.

Additionally, there is no firm calendar deadline for applications which can be sent in throughout the year, however, the application must be received at least four weeks in advance of the event the artist is looking to attend.

Applications are now open and are to be submitted through the Ontario Arts Council's online grant application system.