Toronto’s film, music and creative technology industries, which include video game development, immersive technologies, augmented/virtual/mixed reality and esports, contribute greatly to Toronto’s economy and help reinforce the city’s status as a creative leader on a global scale. To support growth in these creative industries, the City of Toronto offers grants and sponsorships that make pathways to employment more accessible, expand business opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and showcase Toronto’s industries to engage residents, visitors and the world. 

All initiatives or events receiving either a grant or sponsorship must comply with the City’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies.

Please note, these grants do not support artistic or talent development for artists or the production of creative/artistic works. The Toronto Arts Council offers many different supports for artists in multiple fields.

Skills Development Grants support initiatives that build practical skills in trades, crafts or technical skills for which there are existing labour gaps.

Eligible Initiatives

Initiatives must support employment readiness for individuals, matching skills to high-demand roles in creative sectors. These grants often, but not exclusively, support the work of not-for-profit community groups led by and/or serving historically underrepresented groups and the programs they offer to build bridges to employment in creative industries.

Training offered may include segments related to professional/life skills. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Trades and other crew positions in film and television production
  • Training in foundational software competency for game development and other creative technologies
  • Basic skills used in post-production or VFX processes.

Eligible Organizations

Organizations must:

  • Be located in Toronto or the proposed project or services to be funded will be delivered to Toronto-based entities or individuals.
  • Not be indebted to the City or in default of any agreements with the City.
  • Be a legal not-for-profit or charitable organization, an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization or community centre that is part of the Association of Community Centres.

Initiative Accountability Criteria

Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.

Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.

Suggested metrics:

  • Number of participants served
  • Equity-related metrics
  • Participant satisfaction assessment
  • Engagement of industry through placements, employment or other metrics relevant to the goals of the program
  • Further metrics may be developed on a case-by-case basis or to measure program efficacy over time.

      How to Apply

      Submit an application online below. Applications will be considered several times throughout the year. The next round of review will begin after July 28.

      Available funding is limited and most grants are small. If your project or event is larger in scope and requires more significant funding, please contact the relevant sector office to discuss the project and possible support from these or other funds.

      After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.

      Apply for Skills Development Grant

      Application Assessment

      Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:

      • Equity, diversity and inclusion
      • The potential of the program to generate career impact for individuals and the efficacy of the program in serving industry labour demand
      • The capacity of the organization to deliver the program applied for, financially and in terms of human resources, and the organization’s track record and connection to the industries.

      Sector Development Grants support projects, services or initiatives that build capacity and create opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, their businesses and the sector as a whole.

      These grants also support initiatives that showcase Toronto’s creative industries, accelerating routes to commercialization and financial sustainability.

      Eligible Programs

      Examples include, but are not limited to:

      • Events or projects focused on cross-sectoral collaboration
      • Partnership generation
      • Knowledge-building
      • Advancement of business skills for creative entrepreneurs
      • International opportunities.

      Eligible Organizations

      Organizations must:

      • Be located in Toronto or the proposed project or services to be funded will be delivered to Toronto-based entities or individuals.
      • Not be indebted to the City or in default of any agreements with the City.
      • Be a legal not-for-profit or charitable organization, an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization or community centre that is part of the Association of Community Centres.

      Initiative Accountability Criteria

      Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.

      Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.

      Suggested metrics:

      • Number of participants served
      • Equity-related metrics
      • Participant satisfaction assessment
      • Engagement of industry through placements, employment or other metrics relevant to the goals of the program
      • Further metrics may be developed on a case-by-case basis or to measure program efficacy over time.

          How to Apply

          Submit an application online below. Applications will be considered several times throughout the year. The next round of review will begin after July 28.

          Available funding is limited and most grants are small. If your project or event is larger in scope and requires more significant funding, please contact the relevant sector office to discuss the project and possible support from these or other funds.

          After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.

          Apply for Sector Development Grant

          Application Assessment

          Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:

          • Equity, diversity and inclusion
          • The potential of the program to generate career impact for individuals and the efficacy of the program in serving industry labour demand
          • The capacity of the organization to deliver the program applied for, financially and in terms of human resources, and the organization’s track record and connection to the industries.

          If your organization is producing an event that advances sector development for Toronto’s creative industries, the City of Toronto may be able to support through sponsorship.

          Eligible Events

          Events must prioritize supporting the growth of creative industries as a primary goal and must serve companies or individuals based in Toronto.

          Through this stream, the City supports events such as:

          • Showcase or performance-based events
          • Events that build audiences
          • Events that promote local talent or companies
          • Events that advance knowledge-building, and promote innovation, collaboration and commercialization

          Eligible Organizations

          Eligible organizations include for-profit businesses, festivals, non-profits, educational organizations and registered charities.

          Accountability Criteria

          Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.

          Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.

          Suggested metrics:

          • Number of participants served
          • Equity-related metrics
          • Participant satisfaction assessment
          • Engagement of industry through placements, employment or other metrics relevant to the goals of the program
          • Further metrics may be developed on a case-by-case basis or to measure program efficacy over time.

              How to Apply

              Submit an application online below. Applications will be considered several times throughout the year. The next round of review will begin after July 28.

              Available funding is limited and most grants are small. If your project or event is larger in scope and requires more significant funding, please contact the relevant sector office to discuss the project and possible support from these or other funds.

              After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.

              Apply for Sponsorship

              Application Assessment

              Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:

              • Equity, diversity and inclusion
              • The potential of the program to generate career impact for individuals and the efficacy of the program in serving industry labour demand
              • The capacity of the organization to deliver the program applied for, financially and in terms of human resources, and the organization’s track record and connection to the industries.

              Required Event Deliverable

              The City receives logo presence at all sponsored events and other recognition as appropriate.