Fueling creative, community-driven arts projects across the city
Mississauga, ON – November 6, 2025
Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) is proud to announce the 20 recipients of its Fall 2025 MicroGrant Program, which has awarded $55,950 in matching funds to support innovative and impactful arts projects across the city. This funding supports artists working in all disciplines, including music, theatre, visual arts, and literature, bringing their creative visions to life.
Since 2019, MAC’s MicroGrant initiative has awarded $556,300 to 217 artist-led projects, enriching Mississauga’s creative landscape and empowering local artists.
“We received over 50 engaging applications for this round of MicroGrants, each one an artist-led project that was innovative and community-focused”, says Susan Durnin, MAC’s Administration Lead. “The 20 winning projects stood out for their uniqueness, thoughtful preparation, and prospects for positive community impact. We look forward to seeing these concert series, theatre performances, films, and community events brought to life. Congratulations to all of the winners!”
Congratulations to the Fall 2025 MicroGrant Winners:
Alexandra Montealegre, Anubha Jha, Chelsea Johnson, Colleen Snell, Colleen Taffe, Dechen Yee, Demetrius Nath, Matthew Sabido, Matthew Zadkovich, Max Kingsbury, Michael Ventola, Mollie Garrett, Rob Aguiar, Ruba Zouzou, Sachin Sharma, Shazia Javed, Shallum Xavier, Thomas Francis, Tom Barlow, and Zohra Zoberi.
MAC’s MicroGrant Program is powered by its Matchmaker MicroGrant model, which pairs artists’ fundraising efforts with matching funds from MAC. This approach validates and multiplies each project’s impact.
“MAC’s MicroGrant program exists largely thanks to the dedication of our Charity Gaming Volunteers, who raise these essential funds by working shifts at RAMA Gaming House Mississauga, in support of the Mississauga Charitable Gaming Association,” says Mike Douglas, MAC’s Executive Director. “We deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment to continue raising funds for local artists and their projects. If you’re interested in supporting local artists, we’re always looking for new volunteers.”
Help Fund a MicroGrant Project! Want to make a real impact for local artists? Contact Sherri Parliament at sherri@macarts.ca to learn how just 2 volunteer hours can help raise $2,000 to fund a MicroGrant project!
Fall 2025 Matchmaker MicroGrant Testimonials
“Receiving my first MAC Matchmaker MicroGrant is an incredible encouragement, allowing me to reimagine Bollywood’s golden era through a fresh, creative lens. I’m deeply grateful to MAC for believing in and supporting this vision.”
Anubha Jha, 2025 MicroGrant Recipient
“MAC has created avenues for new and experimental shows like our Table Stage project to take space, develop artist careers, and grow the culture of Mississauga. This grant allows us to offer a pay-what-you-can model, lowering financial barriers for attendees. We’re excited to launch this fresh, recurring community arts event!”
Matthew Sabido, 2025 MicroGrant Recipient
The Fall 2025 MicroGrant Winners are:
- Alexandra Montealegre – SWAP Senior Jubilee (theatre program for seniors)
- Anubha Jha – Bollywood Reimagined – 80s & 90s Music Magic (concert)
- Chelsea Johnson – Reimagined Roots (music performance recordings)
- Colleen Snell – Stories in the Woods (dance film)
- Colleen Taffe – Piece of Mind: The Making Of (drama-mentary film)
- Dechen Yee – Strings Attached (community event)
- Demetrius Nath – Mississauga Music Nights (concert series)
- Matthew Sabido – Table Stage (theatre & tabletop role-playing game)
- Matthew Zadkovich – Matt Zaddy New Album 2026 (music recording)
- Max Kingsbury – The Tumblers (theatre)
- Michael Ventola – The Kick Back (concert series)
- Mollie Garrett – Mississauga: a guidebook from memory (community art project)
- Rob Aguiar – Glimpse Live Music Event Series (concert series)
- Ruba Zouzou – Andalusian Nights concert from Damascus to Granada (concert)
- Sachin Sharma – Khat Mein (music video)
- Shazia Javed – Unwedding (film)
- Shallum Xavier – Under The Same Sun (concert)
- Thomas Francis – Five Ways Home (music recording)
- Tom Barlow – Barlow Album Release (music recording and video)
- Zohra Zoberi – Therapeutic Lies (book)
About MAC’s MicroGrant Program
MAC’s dynamic and impactful MicroGrant program provides funding for artist-led projects that have a pronounced and impactful connection to the public, bringing recognition and increased awareness to the arts across the city. These MicroGrants are made possible through sponsor contributions and MAC’s fundraising efforts. Learn more: macarts.ca/microgrants
For more information about MAC’s MicroGrant program, please contact:
Sherri Parliament, Communications Manager
Mississauga Arts Council
sherri@macarts.ca
Thank you to RAMA Gaming House & Mississauga Charitable Gaming Association for their generous support of MAC’s MicroGrant Program.
