The Cultural Hotspot program celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Toronto’s outside-the-core communities by empowering local artists, organizations and residents. The program showcases select neighbourhoods over a period of multiple years. Funding is awarded to high-impact, innovative arts projects that foster community engagement, capacity-building initiatives and industry-specific mentorship.
From June to October 2026, the Cultural Hotspot will shine a spotlight on the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood, supporting and highlighting communities within the geographic boundaries of Markham Road to the west, Ellesmere Road to the north, Manse/Conlins Roads to the east and Lake Ontario to the south. The Cultural Hotspot is also continuing to invest in the local creativity and culture of Jane and Finch in 2026 through Live Arts Mentorship funding.
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SPARK Project funding supports emerging and established equity-deserving artists, artist collectives, not-for-profits and community-based organizations from diverse communities with up to $9,000 per project. This includes up to $1,500 in funding to support youth employment and/or paid mentorship opportunities. Successful SPARK funding recipients that do not have official not-for-profit status must work with a trustee organization to receive funding.
Local arts and community organizations from all art disciplines based in or with experience working in the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park area are welcome to apply.
All proposals must meet the criteria below:
Projects will be assessed by a resident review panel with the following assessment criteria:
Contact the Cultural Hotspot team at CulturalHotspot@toronto.ca.
Application opens October 15. Application closes January 12, 2026.
Signature Project applicants should be established organizations with a proven track record to successfully deliver mid to large-sized community-based arts and cultural projects. Youth employment opportunities and/or paid mentorship are a mandatory component of each Signature Project with priority given to youth from equity-deserving communities. Signature project funding is up to $20,000 per project, with an additional $2,000 available to make projects more accessible for persons with disabilities.
Established local arts and community organizations from all art disciplines based in or with experience working in the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park area are welcome to apply.
All proposals must meet the criteria below:
Projects will be assessed by a resident review panel with the following assessment criteria:
Contact the Cultural Hotspot team at CulturalHotspot@toronto.ca.
Application opens October 15. Application closes January 12, 2026.
Live Arts Mentor (LAM) funding seeks to build the capacity of IBPOC-led or serving arts organizations that deliver innovative, engaging arts programming and services in neighbourhoods that have been previously animated by the Cultural Hotspot. Smaller or newer organizations will partner with established arts organizations through a mentorship program to strengthen emerging organizations and to build the infrastructure of Toronto’s community arts sector. LAM funding is up to $5,500 per organization.
In 2025, Little Jamaica organizations are receiving LAM funding.
For further information on Live Arts Mentor funding, please email CulturalHotspot@toronto.ca.
Ignite Ideation Funding supports emerging, equity-deserving artists, artist collectives, not-for-profits and community-based organizations from diverse communities with up to $5,000 per capacity-building initiative. Funded initiatives take place from July through February 2026.
Ignite Ideation Project funding applications for Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park open in spring 2026.
For further information on Ignite Ideation Project Funding, please email CulturalHotspot@toronto.ca.