Ontario Media Artists: Chalmers Professional Development Grants Close 4 November 2026
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has scheduled the Chalmers Professional Development Projects deadline for Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 1:00pm Eastern Time. This programme supports the professional growth of eligible artists living in Ontario, Canada. Media arts and interdisciplinary arts are among the recognised artistic practices, meaning qualifying digital and moving-image artists may apply for training and career development rather than for a new artwork commission.
Who may apply?
Applicants must meet OAC's Ontario residency and professional-artist requirements. The programme includes development pathways for professional artists with up to ten years of practice, those with eleven years or more, and eligible arts administrators. Each stream has its own experience criteria. Artist collectives and arts organisations cannot apply in place of an eligible individual; full-time or part-time students in degree programmes and recent recipients of this same grant may also be excluded under the current guidelines.
Supported professional development
The grant can support defined learning opportunities such as mentoring from an experienced artist, training with a specialist, workshops, apprenticeships or a structured course that builds artistic or professional skills. Applicants must explain why the learning is appropriate at the present stage of their practice, identify the relevant mentors or educators and provide the programme budget and evidence specified by OAC.
This opportunity is not designed to fund the production or completion of a digital artwork, an exhibition, touring, regular operating costs or major equipment purchases. Media artists seeking funds for a new installation should not mistake a professional-development grant for a production award.
Grant and deadline
The Chalmers Professional Development Projects award is a fixed CAD $7,500 per approved project, not an automatic award to each applicant. The closing time is 1:00pm Eastern Time on 4 November 2026. Applications are managed through the Ontario Arts Council's online granting platform; artists should check the programme's current eligibility details and submission attachments on the official page before applying.
Official programme and application
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details. Information verified on 12 October 2026.
Our competitions
Aion Laboratory separately organises the Aion Digital Art Prize for eligible digital and media artworks. Under the competition's own rules, some works previously exhibited or awarded may be eligible. This competition is not affiliated with the Ontario Arts Council or the Chalmers grants.