Like our flagship event, Hamilton Fringe, almost anything goes! We’re focussing primarily on work that involves some kind of live performance element, but we take a broad, multi-faceted approach to our definition of “Theatre.” We want to give applicants plenty of room to dream up exciting new ways to engage audiences.

Our priorities are closely aligned to our organizational mission, mandate, vision, and values.

For the RGTC Program, we’re specifically prioritizing emerging/early career artists from the Hamilton and/or Greater Hamilton Area who are creating work that is artistically adventurous, innovative, and accessible.

We’re also looking to support work that includes artists from a diversity of ages, abilities, gender identities and expression, sexual orientation, and/or racialized groups.

Projects being proposed should be in-development and not previously produced.

In most cases, workshops and/or readings are not considered a full production. If the project you are applying with has been produced and performed for an audience, it is not eligible.

Information about the application process for the RGTC Program can be found on the Ontario Arts Councils website here:

https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/recommender-grants-for-theatre-creators

Follow the instructions on the OAC website, and apply through the OAC’s NOVA Portal. Make sure to select “HFTco” as a recommender in the “Recommender” tab of the application.
For any questions or issues about the application portal, please contact the program administrator listed on the OAC website. For questions specific to HFTco, please contact info@hftco.ca.

Applications will be reviewed by members of HFTco’s Community Curators Circle (CCC) along with HFTco core staff.

Applications are being assessed based on artistic merit; impact on artists’ professional development; and alignment with HFTco’s organizational values.

HFTco will submit their final recommendations to the OAC no later than six weeks after our November 30, 2026 deadline for artists.

The OAC will then notify all applicants of their results some time after that.

For specific questions about notification timelines, please contact the program administrator listed on the OAC website.