Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
OAC — Music Creation Projects
Support for original music creation projects
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Supports Ontario-based professional composers, songwriters, and music creators in developing original musical works. Maximum funding is $4,000 for self-directed creation and $20,000 for commissioning, for activities such as composing, collaborations, research, and creating electronic music.
/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
- Artists’ résumés or bios
- Score excerpts or lyrics
- Commissioner letter, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional composers
- Songwriters
- Music creators
- Ontario residents
Who is not eligible
- Ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations
- Applicants whose project is part of academic study
- Self-directed applicants enrolled in composition or songwriting studies
- Applicants commissioning their own work
- Record companies, 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
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Exceptional creativity in composition and songwriting
- Ability to expand the range of music available to performers and the public
- Potential contribution to arts education, public participation, and community involvement in Ontario
- Peer assessment based on artistic examples, application answers, support materials, and budget
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare your profile
- Read the guide and review the program details.
- Create or update your Nova profile.
- Step 2: Complete the application
- Fill in the project information and application questions.
- Prepare the project budget.
- Gather artistic examples and support documents.
- Step 3: Submit in Nova
- Log in to Nova and complete the online form.
- Upload all required materials.
- Submit before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a peer assessment process
- Assessors evaluate artistic merit and project viability
- Applicants receive a decision about four and a half months after each deadline
- If funded, the project must be completed and a final report submitted in Nova
Additional information
- Program information may change before Nova opens.
- Application materials must be submitted in Nova.
- Final report is required if funded.
- Recognition of OAC and the Government of Ontario must be included in project materials.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Music Creation Projects Program
What is the OAC — Music Creation Projects?
Supports Ontario-based professional composers, songwriters, and music creators in developing original musical works. Maximum funding is $4,000 for self-directed creation and $20,000 for commissioning, for activities such as composing, collaborations, research, and creating electronic music.
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:
Ontario-based professional music creator
Ontario resident
Commissioning projects need a commissioner
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