2012-13 Cultural Strategic Investment Fund (CSIF) is now open:

The application period for the 2012-13 Cultural Strategic Investment Fund is now open. Applications and complete program details are now available on Grants Ontario, your one window access to information about grants provided by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The application deadline is August 10, 2012. 

The fund provides financial assistance to arts, cultural industries, heritage, public libraries to undertake projects that are strategic, innovative and that benefit the culture sector. In 2011-12, 56 organizations received $1.4 million in funding for a variety of projects, such as online exhibitions, youth engagement projects, arts workshops, special events, a culture access pass and a cultural and heritage passport magazine. 

As you know, Ontario has entered into an era of slower economic growth and government spending must reflect this reality. Spending reforms are happening across all ministries for the government to achieve its objectives. The ministry is doing its part by charting a way forward that includes streamlined expenditures.

As outlined in the 2012 Ontario Budget, the ministry is transforming its support to the culture sector. Three existing grant programs will be integrated into a single, streamlined program to achieve savings and improve client services; it also allows the ministry to create a more comprehensive program for the culture sector.

In 2013, the ministry will launch a new cultural grant program with expanded program criteria which will be open to all cultural sectors. The program funding will be $3 million. The Museums and Technology Fund and Creative Communities Prosperity Fund will end on March 31, 2013, at which time the new program will launch. I also encourage you to look at funding opportunities available to the culture sector through the ministry’s agencies – Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Arts Council.

Ontario values the culture sector and recognizes the economic and social impact of culture in communities across the province. The ministry will continue to make targeted, strategic investments in the culture sector’s sustainability and growth.

Thank you for your commitment and contributions to Ontario’s cultural development. I encourage you to explore the opportunities available through the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund to develop new projects that nurture creativity and develop Ontario’s  unique cultural resources.

Yours truly,

Michelle Sale Supervisor, Culture Programs Unit
Programs and Services Branch
Culture Division