How much funding can be received?

The OAC — Music – French-language projects grant supports the creation, recording, and production of French-language music by professional artists in Ontario, with funding of up to $10,000 per project. Eligible activities include the creation of new songs, production of demos, EPs or full albums, show development, and music video production.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum funding amounts per project category: Creation – up to $5,000; Demo or EP Production – up to $5,000; Full Album Production – up to $10,000; Show Development – up to $8,000; Music Video Production – up to $8,000.
Projects can include eligible expenses such as creation, recording, production, post-production, marketing, and accessibility-related costs, within the respective category budget limits.
Applicants are required to submit a final report; if the budget shows a surplus of more than $250, the excess must be reimbursed.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation of new French-language songs or musical works.
Production and release of a French-language demo or EP.
Production and release of a full-length French-language album.
Development and preparation of a new live performance featuring original French-language songs.
Production and dissemination of a music video for an already created and recorded French-language song.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 79,000

Implementing energy-efficient lighting in a multi-unit workspace

$ 98,000

Developing an accessible online job-matching platform for newcomers

$ 90,000

Launching a mobile app for local tourism discovery initiatives

$ 72,000

Upgrading kitchen facilities for local youth employment training program

$ 61,000

Setting up an e-commerce platform for local artisan cooperatives

$ 39,000

Acquisition of composting equipment for community garden expansion

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Music – French-language projects program

The applicant must be a professional music artist residing in Ontario, or an ad hoc group, collective, or not-for-profit music organization comprised of professional music artists with at least 50% residing in Ontario.
The applicant (or a member, in the case of a group or organization) must be either the songwriter, lyricist, or composer of the songs included in the application, and must specify francophone collaborators if applicable.
The project submitted must have at least 50% of its content in French and no more than 30% in English, unless the works are entirely instrumental.
The applicant must be the initiator or one of the initiators of the majority of the artistic content of the project.

Who is eligible?

Professional music artists residing in Ontario
Ad hoc groups or collectives composed of professional music artists (at least 50% residing in Ontario)
Non-profit music organizations composed of professional music artists (at least 50% residing in Ontario)

Who is not eligible

Colleges, universities, and municipalities.
Organizations receiving operating grants under specified Francophone arts programs from the Ontario Arts Council.
Organizations with general operating grants that do not specifically serve one or more Ontario Arts Council priority groups.
Companies or organizations applying on behalf of record labels, managers, agents, or lawyers.

Eligible expenses

Research, development, and creation fees for new musical works or songs (music composition and/or lyric writing).
Fees paid to essential professional artists involved in creation, production, or performance.
Production expenses essential for developing the artistic work.
Recording fees, including those for producers when creation involves sampling or manipulating recorded material.
Recording, artistic, production, and post-production expenses (including directing, mixing, editing, mastering, packaging, manufacturing up to 1,000 initial copies).
Promotion and marketing expenses, including launch and distribution costs.
Artistic and rehearsal fees, and technical design costs related to new show development.
Video clip production costs (direction, cinematography, sound and video editing, artist fees, props, costumes, mixing, etc.).
Rental of instruments and equipment.
Childcare or other dependent care expenses needed for participation in the project (distinct from regular, ongoing care costs).
Accessibility expenses to make the project accessible to Deaf or disabled audiences or participants (excluding the applicant).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Eligibility criteria of the OAC — Music – French-language projects program

Artistic merit of the project.
Impact of the project, especially regarding the vitality of the Francophone arts sector in Ontario.
Strength and relevance of project collaborators, with priority given to Francophone collaborators residing in Ontario. Applicants must provide strong justification if collaborators are not Francophone or Ontario residents.

How to apply to the OAC — Music – French-language projects program

Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesConsult the Ontario Arts Council’s (OAC) Project Programs Guide to familiarize yourself with core eligibility and restrictions.
Read through the program details on the official OAC website, especially just prior to starting your application.
Step 2: Create or Update Your Nova ProfileAccess Nova, the Ontario Arts Council's online grant application system.
Create a new user profile or update your existing profile with current information.
Step 3: Prepare Application MaterialsGather basic project information and prepare responses to all questions in the application form.
Assemble the project budget.
Prepare artistic samples: submit two songs or works (audio or video).
Collect supporting documents, such as biographical notices for applicants and participating artists, song lyrics, and, for the video clip category, the CV of the director.
Step 4: Complete Online ApplicationAccess the application form in Nova when it becomes available (approximately two months before the deadline).
Fill in all sections of the online application, ensuring all required documents are attached.
Step 5: Submit ApplicationSubmit your completed application in Nova before the official deadline (2 October 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET).
Step 6: Receive Acknowledgment and Await DecisionUpon successful submission in Nova, monitor your account for acknowledgment of receipt.
Wait for the funding decision, typically communicated about four and a half months after the deadline.
Step 7: Complete Final Report (If Funded)After project completion, fill out and submit the final report via Nova, including results, final budget, and required documentation on recognition and publicity.

Additional information

Applicants must submit their application in French.
The application portal (Nova) opens approximately two months before the deadline.
Deadlines, eligibility, and guidelines may change when the program is updated in Nova; check the portal for the latest requirements before applying.
Applicants must reference the Ontario Arts Council (CAO) and Government of Ontario logos in project materials when acknowledging grant support.