OAC — Music Production and Presentation Projects - ON - Canada

OAC — Music Production and Presentation Projects

grant_single|update May 15, 2025
ON, Canada
Funding for Ontario-based professional music production and presentation

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
  • Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open

grant_single_labels|preview

The OAC Music Production and Presentation Projects program offers up to $20,000 in funding to support the development and public presentation of live and virtual music across all genres by Ontario-based professional musicians, groups, and organizations. Eligible activities include rehearsal and repertoire development, single concerts, concert series, music festivals, and opera productions.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

  • Individual professional musicians and programmers may receive up to $20,000 per project.
  • Professional ad hoc music groups, collectives, and music organizations may receive up to $20,000 per project.
  • Semi-professional, community, and choral training organizations may receive up to $5,000 per project.
  • Northern semi-professional and community orchestras are eligible for up to $20,000; other semi-professional and community orchestras can receive up to $15,000.
  • Grant requests should be proportional to the scope of the project; awarded amounts may be less than requested due to available funds.

grant_single_labels|projects

  • Rehearsal and repertoire development, including first-stage opera workshops.
  • Production and presentation of single music performances or concerts.
  • Development and delivery of concert series.
  • Organization of music festivals.
  • Opera production and second-stage opera workshops.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 90,000

Implementing bilingual digital customer service kiosks in local branches

$ 80,000

Replacing factory lighting systems with high-efficiency LED fixtures

$ 68,500

Procuring a delivery van and refrigeration unit for meal programs

$ 96,000

Upgrading HVAC system to increase energy efficiency and air quality

$ 95,000

Purchasing accessible manufacturing equipment for inclusive employment program

$ 54,200

Launching a bilingual e-commerce website for local fair trade goods

grant_single_labels|admissibility

  • The applicant must be a professionally-led, incorporated non-profit music organization with a head office in Ontario, or a not-for-profit professional ad hoc group, collective, or music producer/presenter operating on a not-for-profit basis.
  • Projects must support the production and presentation of live or virtual music in Ontario, involving professional musicians.
  • For non-music arts organizations, the project must feature a primary music curatorial leadership role and a curated artistic vision for a music series or festival.
  • Projects must pay professional fees to musicians and ensure most participants are professional artists, except for community orchestras and choirs led by a professional artistic leader.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

  • Professional musicians and music programmers based in Ontario
  • Not-for-profit bands, ensembles, orchestras, opera companies, choirs, and other music producers or presenters
  • Music festivals operating on a not-for-profit basis
  • Professionally-led music presenters and producers of concerts, series, and festivals
  • Non-music arts organizations requesting support for music presenting activities, with music curatorial leadership

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

  • Colleges, universities, schools, and municipalities.
  • Religious institutions.
  • Record companies, music labels, managers, agents, and lawyers.
  • Organizations that receive ongoing operating grants from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), except those mandated to serve OAC priority groups.
  • Youth orchestras and volunteer-run series or festivals not led by professional artists or curators.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

  • Artistic fees (for example, conductor, accompanist, section lead, royalty fees for professional musicians and similar roles)
  • Production costs
  • Venue and equipment rental
  • Purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics, and similar materials required for the project (up to $500)
  • Marketing, publicity, promotion, and administrative costs
  • Audio/visual recording costs directly associated with virtual presentations that are part of the project
  • Modest audio/visual recording costs for documenting live presentation activities (archival recording)
  • Childcare and other dependant care fees enabling participation in the project (excluding regular, ongoing expenses)
  • Expenses related to making the project accessible to audience members and participants who are Deaf or have a disability

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

  • Ontario
  • Northern Ontario, including Far North, Northwest, and Northeast regions, as well as Manitoulin, Parry Sound and Nipissing districts, and all regions north of these

grant_single_labels|apply

  • Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesRead the Guide to OAC Project Programs to understand eligibility requirements and restrictions.
  • Consult program deadlines and ensure your project aligns with timing requirements.
  • Step 2: Register or Update Profile in NovaCreate or update your personal or organizational profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system.
  • Step 3: Prepare Application MaterialsGather essential project information such as project description, budget, and timeline.
  • Prepare answers to application questions regarding your project.
  • Compile artistic examples: upload a minimum of one and maximum of three audio and/or video examples.
  • Collect supporting documents, including CVs, résumés or bios of artists and programmers, score excerpts and/or lyrics/libretto (for Opera projects), and a programming/repertoire list.
  • Step 4: Complete Application in NovaLog in to your Nova profile when the application becomes available (approximately two months before the deadline).
  • Fill out all required fields in the application form, including project budget and supporting documents.
  • Step 5: Submit ApplicationReview your application for completeness and accuracy.
  • Submit the completed application through Nova before the posted deadline (March 26 or September 25, 2025, 1 p.m. ET).
  • Step 6: Receive Confirmation and Await ResultsConfirmation of your submission will be provided via Nova.
  • Await notification of grant results, which occurs approximately four and a half months after the deadline.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

  • Program deadlines may change before it opens in Nova, so applicants should check the page for updated information.
  • Acknowledgement of OAC support with logo placement or verbal recognition is required for all funded projects.
  • If a project's final budget shows a surplus over $250, repayment of the surplus to OAC may be necessary.
  • Applicants identifying as Deaf or having a disability may access supplementary funds for their own accessibility expenses via the Accessibility Fund: Project Support.

grant_single_labels|contact

hrubia@arts.on.ca
416-969-7430

Apply to this program

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