ODSP & Arts Grants

Arts grants are exempt as income and assets for people on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW). With the exception of funds for living costs or artist fees, grant money will no longer be deducted from monthly benefits. This removes barriers for many artists in Ontario who want to create art and develop their careers with the support of grants.

The ODSP and Arts Grants Coalition — made up of individual artists who have disabilities and are on ODSP as well as representatives from ACTRA Toronto, the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, CARFAC Ontario, the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC), the Media Arts Network of Ontario (MANO-RAMO), the Ontario Arts Council, the ODSP Action Coalition, ReelAbilities Toronto, Tangled Art + Disability, the Toronto Arts Council, and Workman Arts — advocated for these changes in 2018 and created an ODSP and Arts Grants information booklet that explains how ODSP treats arts grants to help ensure that funds are assessed fairly.

Copies of the ODSP and Arts Grants booklet are available to download in either English or French. 

Amounts given in the brochure such as asset limits and earned income deductions are accurate as of March 2018, but may be subject to change.