How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 20000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the OAC — Music Creation Projects?

OAC — Music Creation Projects is funded by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

What are OAC — Music Creation Projects's eligibility criterias?

No eligibility for for-profit businesses; only individual professional composers, songwriters, and music creators who are Ontario residents may apply.

OAC — Music Creation Projects

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports Ontario artists in creating new, original musical works

OAC — Music Creation Projects at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $20,000

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

Status

Open

Overview of the OAC — Music Creation Projects program

The OAC Music Creation Projects grant supports Ontario-based professional music creators with up to $20,000 for the creation or commissioning of original musical works in any genre. Eligible activities include composing new music, collaborative projects, and developing large-scale works, but do not include recording activities.

Financing terms and conditions

Self-directed creation projects may receive up to a maximum of $4,000.
Commissioning projects may receive up to a maximum of $20,000.
Grants awarded may be less than the requested amount due to funding limitations and should be proportionate to the scale of the project.
Only large-scale projects (such as opera compositions) are likely to receive grants close to the commissioning maximum.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation of original musical works, including composing new pieces or song sets.
Development of companion pieces or additional movements to accompany existing compositions.
Completion of large-scale musical projects already in progress, such as operas.
Commissioning of new musical works by composers, to be premiered by individuals, ensembles, or organizations.
Music projects that incorporate other media or art forms.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 70,000

Launching multi-lingual employment platform for newcomer job seekers

$ 64,000

Purchasing electric vehicle for food bank delivery operations

$ 35,000

Developing an accessible community garden with educational programming

$ 77,000

Upgrading bakery equipment for energy efficiency and safety compliance

$ 100,000

Adding automated packaging line for local artisan cheese producer

$ 21,000

Implementing digital point-of-sale system in retail clothing cooperative

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Music Creation Projects program

The applicant must be a professional composer, songwriter, or music creator who is an Ontario resident.
For commissioning projects, the composer applies and the commissioner must be a professional artist, music group, not-for-profit arts organization, or dance company.
The project must focus on the creation of original music, either as a self-directed creation or as a commissioned work.

Who is eligible?

Individual professional composers residing in Ontario
Individual professional songwriters residing in Ontario
Individual music creators residing in Ontario

Who is not eligible

Ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations (including companies and nonprofits)
Educational institutions commissioning work for their own faculty
Record companies/labels, managers, agents, and lawyers commissioning projects
Religious institutions commissioning projects
Musical performing organizations or dance companies commissioning work from composers who are their own artistic directors, leaders, administrative heads, or board members

Eligible expenses

Artist fees, including composer, songwriter, creator, co-creator, librettist/lyricist, and mentor.
Costs for copying scores or sheet music, or creating master sets of individual parts.
Space and equipment rental required for the creation process.
Purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics, and similar materials necessary for the project (up to a suggested maximum of $500).
Modest recording costs for documenting new creation or process (archival recording).
Higher recording costs for electronic music or commissions for dance/new choreography where necessary.
Childcare and other dependent care fees to enable participation in the project (not regular ongoing expenses).
Expenses related to accessibility for audience members and project participants (excluding the applicant).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Music Creation Projects program

Exceptional creativity in composition and song-writing.
Enhancement of the range of music available to performers and the public.
Potential contribution to arts education, public participation, or community involvement in Ontario’s arts sector.

How to apply to the OAC — Music Creation Projects program

Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesRead the Guide to OAC Project Programs to understand basic eligibility requirements and program restrictions.
Familiarize yourself with the Guide to OAC Assessment, Guide to OAC Support Material, and other available resources.
Step 2: Register and Prepare in NovaCreate or update your profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system.
Check the program page after the opening of the application period in Nova for any updated information or changes.
Step 3: Gather Application MaterialsPrepare basic project information, including responses to application questions and an itemized project budget.
Collect artistic examples (minimum two and maximum three audio or video examples).
Obtain artists’ résumés or biographies (and bio of the commissioner, for commissioning projects).
Prepare score excerpts or lyrics.
Secure a letter from the commissioner (for commissioning applications).
Step 4: Complete and Submit ApplicationFill out the application form in Nova, uploading all required support documents and artistic samples.
Review your submission for accuracy and completeness.
Submit the application through Nova before the published deadline.
Step 5: Confirmation and ResultsReceive notification on whether your application was successful approximately four and a half months after the deadline.
Step 6: Final Reporting (if awarded)Complete your project within two years of receiving the grant results.
Submit a final report in Nova, including a project description, outcomes, final budget, samples of work created, and documentation of OAC recognition.

Additional information

The application form becomes available in the Nova system approximately two months prior to each deadline date.
Applicants should revisit the program webpage for any updates prior to submitting their application.
If a final report budget shows a surplus over $250, repayment to OAC may be required.
OAC and Government of Ontario logos must be included on relevant project materials as per recognition requirements.