OAC — Music Recording Projects

• The applicant must be a professional musician, composer, ad hoc music group, collective, or music organization based in Ontario.
• Community orchestras, choirs, or choral training groups must be Ontario-based and professionally led, with the project including fees for professional musicians or composers.
• The project must involve recording music—either a demo, EP, or full-length album—for public release or for demonstrating new work.
• The applicant must use the grant for eligible activities such as recording, mixing, mastering, production fees, and related costs as outlined in the program guidelines.

Who is eligible?

• Professional musicians and composers who are Ontario residents
• Professional music ad hoc groups, collectives, and organizations based in Ontario
• Ontario-based, professionally led community orchestras and choirs
• Ontario-based choral training groups whose project includes fees to professional musicians or composers

Who is not eligible

• Recording studios
• Record companies, record labels, managers, agents, and lawyers
• Municipalities, colleges, and universities
• Schools
• Religious institutions
• Organizations that already receive a grant under the Music Organizations: Operating program
• Organizations receiving operating grants from other OAC programs (except those mandated to serve OAC priority groups)

Eligible expenses

• Recording, mixing, and mastering costs.
• Artist and producer fees, including step-up fees for live recordings.
• Copyright and royalty fees.
• Studio and recording location rental.
• Recording media such as tapes and hard drives.
• Packaging artwork and design.
• Marketing or promotional costs specific to the recording, including hiring an Ontario-based marketing manager or publicist.
• Manufacturing costs for up to the first 1,000 units.
• Equipment rental and purchase of small-scale equipment, software, and electronics necessary for the project.
• Childcare and dependant care fees enabling participation in the project (not including regular, ongoing expenses).
• Expenses related to accessibility for audience members and project participants who are Deaf or have a disability.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Readiness of the project to begin recording.
• Potential to enhance the range of recorded music available to the public at the local, national, and international levels.
• Contribution to advancing music created by Ontario composers/songwriters, or by other Canadians with compelling justification for non-Ontario content.

• Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesRead the Guide to OAC Project Programs for detailed eligibility requirements and program restrictions.
• Consult the Guide to OAC Assessment for information on how applications are evaluated.
• Step 2: Create/Update Profile in NovaCreate or update your applicant profile in Nova, the Ontario Arts Council’s online grant application system.
• Step 3: Prepare Application MaterialGather basic project information, including a project description and objectives.
• Prepare answers to all required application questions.
• Develop a detailed project budget.
• Select two artistic examples (audio or video, up to five minutes total).
• Collect support documents, such as résumés or biographies.
• Step 4: Complete Application in NovaAccess the Music Recording Projects grant application approximately two months before the deadline.
• Fill out all required sections of the online application form in Nova.
• Upload all necessary support material and artistic examples.
• Step 5: Submit ApplicationReview your application for completeness and accuracy.
• Submit your application in Nova before the specified deadline (May 22 and November 6, 2025, 1 p.m. ET).
• Step 6: Confirmation and NotificationReceive confirmation of your submission from Nova.
• Wait for notification of the grant decision, typically about four and a half months after the application deadline.
• Step 7: Final Reporting (If Awarded)Upon project completion, submit a final report through Nova, including a project description, final budget, required documentation, and recognition of OAC funding as per guidelines.

• Program deadlines and application details may change before the grant opens in the Nova system; verify all information just before applying.
• Applicants awarded a grant may receive less than the amount requested due to limited funding and high application volumes.
• Supplementary funds for accessibility expenses are available for applicants who identify as Deaf or as having a disability.
• Applicants must fulfill specific OAC recognition requirements in all public materials and final reporting.