AGP Receives Funding Boost from the Ontario Arts Council

We’re pleased to share some good news: the Art Gallery of Peterborough has received an increase to our Ontario Arts Council – Conseil des arts de l’Ontario multi-year operating grant funding, beginning in 2027!

For the next three years, our operating grant will increase by 7.1%, with a B+ rating from the OAC.

This continued support helps us keep doing what we do: presenting exhibitions, caring for our collection, and creating accessible opportunities for our community to experience and engage with the visual arts.

We’re grateful to the Ontario Arts Council for this continued investment in the AGP, and to the many people who support our work year-round: our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, educators, sponsors, members, the City of Peterborough, and our wider community.

Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead.

Check out the City of Peterborough’s News Release:

Peterborough, ON – The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) has received an increase to its Ontario Arts Council (OAC) multi-year operating grant funding, beginning in 2027. 

Through the Ontario Arts Operating Fund (OAOF), the OAC provides sustained investment in Ontario’s arts infrastructure by supporting not-for-profit arts organizations and for-profit publishers that are led by, work with, and provide services to professional artists across arts disciplines and sectors. 

For the next three years, beginning in 2027, the AGP will receive a 7.1% increase in operating grant funding, with a B+ rating from the OAC. This continued investment recognizes the AGP’s role within Ontario’s arts sector and supports the gallery’s ongoing work to present exhibitions, care for its collection, and offer accessible arts experiences to the Peterborough community. 

“We appreciate the additional funds and the recognition of the work we do here at the AGP. We thank all who contribute to our ongoing success: the City of Peterborough, our staff, volunteers and Board of Directors, our educators, sponsors and AGP members,” said AGP Director Celeste Scopelites.  “We look forward to bringing you more great exhibitions, programs and experiences in the visual arts!” 

OAC Director, Michael Murray notes that roughly half of returning organizations applying for operating funding through the OAC (including those in Year 1, 2 and 3 of their funding cycles) will see changes to their funding levels this year, based on alignment with program objectives, performance measures, funding principles and assessment results. 

This includes: 

• 27% of returning operating funding applicants have received increased support; 

• 45% of returning applicants will be receiving the same funding amount as in 2025-26; 

• 11% of returning applicants received a reduced amount, compared to 2025-26; 

• 12% will be exiting from the operating funding program; and 

• Of the 26 organizations newly applying for operating funding at the spring OAOF application deadlines, 38% have been admitted into the operating funding stream.