Open
Source verified July 23, 2026
OAC — Music Creation Projects
Support for original music creation projects
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Individuals: professional composers, songwriters and music creators who are Ontario residents
See full eligibility
Overview
Music Creation Projects supports Ontario-based professional composers, songwriters and music creators with funding of up to $4,000 for self-directed creation and up to $20,000 for commissioning. It backs original musical works through composition, lyric writing and electronic music creation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation of original musical works
- Self-directed composition or songwriting
- Music commissions with a confirmed première
- Electronic music creation and exploratory music work
- Companion pieces, additional movements, and larger works in development
Documents Needed
- Project budget
- Artistic examples: a minimum of two and a maximum of three audio or video examples
- Artists’ résumés or bios, including a bio of the commissioner for commissioning projects
- Score excerpts or lyrics
- Letter from the commissioner for commissioning projects
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals: professional composers, songwriters and music creators who are Ontario residents
Who is not eligible
- Ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations
- Professional composers or songwriters currently enrolled in composition or songwriting courses or a music composition degree program at a university, college or conservatory are not eligible in the Self-directed creation category
- Applicants commissioning their own work
- Commissions by musical performing organizations or dance companies with composers who are their own artistic directors, leaders, administrative heads or board members; commissions by librettists, lyricists or writers for the musical setting of their own texts; and commissions by educational institutions for their own faculty
- Commissions by record companies or labels, managers, agents, lawyers and religious institutions
Eligible expenses
- Artist fees, including composer, songwriter, co-creator, librettist, lyricist, and mentor fees
- Score and sheet music copy costs, or self-generated parts for one master set
- Space and equipment rental for creation work
- Small equipment, software, electronics, and similar materials needed for the project
- Archival recording and other eligible recording costs
- Childcare, dependent care, and accessibility-related costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Major capital expenditures, including buildings and major equipment
- Projects that are part of academic study
- Film or television soundtracks
- Video production, including promotional and music videos
- Revisions, rewrites, rearrangements, and incidental theatre music
Selection criteria
- Projects that display exceptional creativity in composition and song-writing
- Projects that enhance the range of music available to performers and the public
- Projects that, in addition to the above, may contribute to arts education, public participation and community involvement in the arts in Ontario
How to apply
- Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system
- Before applying, read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for basic eligibility requirements and other restrictions
- Before applying, create or update your profile in Nova
Processing and Agreement
- You will find out whether you got a grant about four and a half months after each deadline
- If you receive a grant, you must complete the project and submit a final report in Nova
- If the budget you submit shows a surplus of more than $250, you may be required to repay the surplus amount to OAC
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Music Creation Projects Program
What is the OAC — Music Creation Projects?
Music Creation Projects supports Ontario-based professional composers, songwriters and music creators with funding of up to $4,000 for self-directed creation and up to $20,000 for commissioning. It backs original musical works through composition, lyric writing and electronic music creation.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Music Creation Projects Funds up to $20,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Music Creation Projects program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Music Creation Projects program, you must:
The applicant must be an individual professional composer, songwriter or music creator
The applicant must be an Ontario resident
For commissioning projects, composers are the applicant and commissioners are required participants
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Music Creation Projects?
Creation of original musical works
Self-directed composition or songwriting
Music commissions with a confirmed première
Electronic music creation and exploratory music work
Companion pieces, additional movements, and larger works in development
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Music Creation Projects?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at hrubia@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-969-7430.
Where is the OAC — Music Creation Projects available?
The OAC — Music Creation Projects program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OAC — Music Creation Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OAC — Music Creation Projects is a Grant and Funding