Business smARTs: Grant Writing Essentials

One of the major obstacles to building a successful art practice in Toronto, particularly for Black artists, is the lack of funds and resources needed to bring ideas to life. Business smARTs: Grant Writing Essentials provides artists of all disciplines with the tools they need to better understand the backstage process of securing funding for their work.

This 5-week virtual program, facilitated by Elle de Lyon and guests, will take place online from Tuesday, March 18, 2025 to Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 6:30-8:30pm. It will offer Black artists insights into the grant writing and application processes, encompassing everything from where to look for grants and what grant approvers/recommenders look for in an application to tips on improving your success rate for grant application. 

Participants will walk away with a more fulsome understanding of how they can make the best of Canada’s grant opportunities in the arts, with helpful contributions by guest speakers from the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and a long-time accountant/financial coach.

Week 1: Understanding the Basics of a Grant Application (March 18)

• Introduction to grant fundamentals
• How to research and properly read grant applications
• Understanding the pillars of a strong application

Week 2: Applying for Ontario Arts Council grants, with Adom Acheampong (March 25)

• Familiarization with the grant application process at Ontario Arts Council
• Funding landscape and peer assessment
• Tips on building a strong project statement and budget proposal

Week 3: Budgeting and Taxation, with Lorraine Telesford (April 1)

• How to budget effectively
• How to account for taxes on funding
• Planning your finances to properly receive grants

Week 4: Applying for grants with Toronto Arts Council, with Kevin Reigh (April 8)

• Familiarization with the grant application process at Toronto Arts Council
• Understanding TAC’s funding opportunities and application processes

Week 5: Understanding the Basics of a Grant Application (April 15)

• Mapping strategies for grant application
• Networking tips
• How to plan for budget and granting cycles

Meet your Facilitator

Elle de Lyon is a rebel with a cause, an award-winning creative producer, director, writer, and performing artist committed to amplifying marginalized voices, decolonizing media, and creating sustainable opportunities for creatives. As the founder of PDA Global Media, a creative consulting agency, and co-founder of Madewell Productions, an event and project management company, Elle has built a bridge between creative vision and execution. Together, these two entities provide avenues and pathways for the programs she directs at R.I.S.E Edutainment, Black Men’s Style, and Black Physicians of Tomorrow (BPT), ensuring that artists and communities receive the resources, funding, and platforms they need to thrive.

Meet your Guest Facilitators

Adom Acheampong has extensive arts and culture sector experience, dedicating her career to supporting the growth and sustainability of artists and arts organizations. Currently, she is the Multi and Inter-Arts and Community-Engaged Arts Officer at the Ontario Arts Council. Most recently, Adom was the Artistic and Professional Development Manager at Nia Centre for the Arts, Canada’s first multidisciplinary Black arts centre, where she spearheaded the development and presentation of multidisciplinary artistic programming. With emergency funds from the Government of Ontario, Adom developed and managed the PIVOT: Black Artist Resource Fund, a program that supported over 100 Black artists across Ontario in adapting their practices in response to the pandemic.  

Lorraine Telesford is a visionary C-suite executive and financial strategist with over 30 years of experience as a corporate controller and CFO. As CEO & Chief Solutions Architect of On Track Accounting Solutions Inc., she provides fractional CFO services backed by her bookkeeping business, On Track Bookkeeping Services. Lorraine and her network offer comprehensive solutions to deliver what those building today’s vibrant economy need: from strategic planning and cash flow optimization to capital raising and payroll integration.

Toronto Arts Council Senior Manager Kevin Reigh has 20 years experience in the arts/not for profit sector having previously worked at dance Immersion, the Canadian Music Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) and Unity Charity in various administrative, fundraising, program development and outreach capacities. Kevin’s interest in supporting the arts community led to the establishment of Mosiah Grant Writing + Creative Communications to help independent artists and smaller not-for-profit organizations navigate the world of grant writing and proposal development.

This workshop was made possible with the support of: