Photo: Matt Hertendy / The Music Gallery
Performing Arts
2025 Booster Fund
2026

Launched in 2022, the Booster Fund was created to amplify remuneration and access for artists and arts workers in existing creation, programming, training, outreach, or education activities and projects offered by performing arts organizations in Toronto.

In 2025, the following 31 organizations received over $500,000 in funding through the 2025 Booster Fund.

Note: For the time being, the Booster Fund is on pause as we review our strategic initiatives, and we will not be accepting applications in 2026.

 

1s1 Deaf-led Theatre Inc. 

1s1 Theatre creates work at the intersection of Deaf and hearing worlds, developing new theatrical languages and making live performance accessible for both communities.  

Funds will expand rehearsal time and strengthen production support for the world premiere of To a Flame.  

Anandam Dancetheatre 

Anandam Dancetheatre creates contemporary performances that explore diverse aesthetic models and foster long-term artistic development.  

Funds will provide stipends for training participants and extend rehearsal time for a major ensemble work. 

The Association for Opera in Canada (AOC)

AOC is a national membership organization that advocates for opera and supports artists through professional development and sector-wide initiatives.  

Funds will subsidize artist memberships and conference registrations. 

Bad Hats Theatre  

Bad Hats Theatre develops innovative musical works for youth and families and provides training opportunities for emerging producers.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand development opportunities for new works. 

B Current Performing Arts

B Current Performing Arts amplifies voices of the Black diaspora through theatre projects that challenge narratives and foster community engagement.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and enhance artist accessibility across multiple initiatives. 

Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS)

NBS is Canada’s leading ballet training institution, committed to excellence, access, and inclusion.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand mentorship and creation opportunities within the Aspects of Creativity program. 

Citadel + Compagnie

Citadel + Compagnie is a contemporary dance organization based in Regent Park.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration across all 2026 projects. 

Continuum Contemporary Music

Continuum Contemporary Music champions Canadian contemporary chamber music through mentorship and collaborative creation.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand access to professional mentorship programs. 

Crossroads Theatre

Crossroads Theatre is a community-engaged company based in Toronto’s Weston neighbourhood, creating relevant and accessible programming that centres marginalized voices and prioritizes disability justice.  

Funds will strengthen artist remuneration and deepen integrated artist planning across 2026 programs. 

Dusk Dances

Dusk Dances is a long-standing outdoor dance festival that brings diverse performances into public spaces, making dance accessible to all.  

Funds will increase remuneration for production staff and introduce artist childcare support. 

Guild Festival Theatre

Guild Festival Theatre is Scarborough’s only professional theatre company, presenting reimagined classics in an outdoor setting at Guild Park & Gardens.  

Funds will enhance artist remuneration for the 2026 summer season. 

Jamii

Jamii is a community arts organization based in Toronto’s Esplanade neighbourhood, dedicated to fostering belonging and creativity through immersive arts experiences.  

Funds will increase artist fees for workshops, rehearsals, and performances across Jamii Cycles, Wayo Festival, and Joy in the Park. 

LookUp Theatre

LookUp Theatre creates transformative experiences through circus and theatre arts, engaging underserved communities and promoting joy and empowerment.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand therapeutic clowning sessions for elders. 

Modern Times Stage Company

Modern Times Stage Company is an award-winning theatre organization that blends global narratives and disciplines to create imaginative, radical works.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and strengthen creative artist development and apprenticeship programs. 

Moonhorse Dance Theatre

Moonhorse Dance Theatre champions mature dance artists (aged 45+) through performances, education, and community engagement.  

Funds will expand the 30th Anniversary Season of Older & Reckless by increasing artist fees. 

The Music Gallery

The Music Gallery cultivates artistic experimentation and community through sound and interdisciplinary practices. 

Funds will increase artist remuneration, expand residency opportunities, and enhance mentorship. 

The Musical Stage Company

The Musical Stage Company champions the creation and development of new Canadian musicals, supporting diverse voices and fostering artistic excellence.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and extend development time for new musicals. 

The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada nurtures choreographic talent and technical collaborators through programs that provide space, mentorship, and performance opportunities.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand participation in key development programs. 

Nightswimming

Nightswimming is a dramaturgical company dedicated to developing innovative performance projects and fostering research in theatre creation.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand participation in workshops, publications, and research gatherings. 

Nova Dance

Nova Dance builds inclusive spaces for artistic exploration and dialogue, presenting innovative works and programs that celebrate diversity and equity in dance.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration in existing programs Deep End Week, Discover Dance as well as new works, Tandava.  

Paprika Theatre Festival

Paprika Theatre Festival empowers emerging artists through mentorship, training, and hands-on production opportunities.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand collaborative support across all programs for the 2026 festival. 

Pratibha Arts

Pratibha Arts champions South Asian dance and music through high-calibre presentations and professional development opportunities.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and strengthen production support, amplifying South Asian dance artists and choreographers.  

Project: Humanity

Project: Humanity develops socially engaged theatre that amplifies underrepresented voices and sparks dialogue on urgent issues.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and extend rehearsal time for a major new production. 

Roseneath Theatre

Roseneath Theatre creates professional touring productions that engage young audiences with stories reflecting diversity and social issues.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and extend touring schedules, providing more performance opportunities for artists. 

Soulpepper Theatre Company

Soulpepper is a leading Canadian theatre company dedicated to artistic excellence and civic engagement. 

Funds will remove financial barriers for artist training and increase compensation for community programming. 

SummerWorks

SummerWorks is Canada’s leading platform for contemporary performance, championing experimentation, equity, and accessibility.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration for the 36th SummerWorks Performance Festival.  

Tapestry Opera

Tapestry Opera champions boundary-pushing opera and supports emerging artists through residencies and mentorship.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and expand residency opportunities. 

Tarragon Theatre

Tarragon Theatre is dedicated to developing and producing new Canadian plays, offering artists resources to create and share original work.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration for play development and support Indigenous playwrights through enhanced commissions. 

Theatre Gargantua

Theatre Gargantua creates original multidisciplinary theatre through collaborative processes that challenge conventions and explore urgent social themes.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration and provide specialized training during the development of a new work. 

Theatre of the Beat

Theatre of the Beat creates socially engaged theatre and provides training opportunities for emerging artists.  

Funds will increase artist remuneration, expand training hours, and strengthen mentorship for emerging producers. 

Xenia Concerts

Xenia Concerts designs and presents inclusive performing arts experiences for neurodiverse and disability communities.  

Funds will enhance artist remuneration and expand performance opportunities within the 2026 Adaptive Concert Series.