Open
Source verified August 11, 2026
OAC — Music Recording Projects
Supports Ontario music recording projects
Latest source updateLast Update: September 21, 2026Latest change: The OAC Guide to Project Programs now states the third-party recommender exception for the three-grant limit using an updated program year and grant limit.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 21, 2026
Latest change: The OAC Guide to Project Programs now states the third-party recommender exception for the three-grant limit using an updated program year and grant limit.
OAC project grant limit guidance updated
The Guide to OAC Project Programs was updated to state that if you receive more than one grant through a single third-party recommender program, those grants count as one grant toward your three-grant limit. The referenced program year and grant limit were updated in the guidance.
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
November 5, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Music Recording Projects supports Ontario-based musicians, composers, songwriters, beat producers, groups and organizations to record music in Ontario, with Demo/EP recordings up to $4,000 and full-length albums up to $10,000. Eligible work includes recording, mixing and mastering; artist and producer fees; and studio rental.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Reach a new target audience
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- the recording of music by Ontario-based musicians including composers, songwriters and beat producers
- EP recording of a series of songs that may be released individually or as a short album, less than 25 minutes, intended for public release
- Demo recordings for the purpose of demonstrating newly developed work for labels, funders, presenters, promoters, festivals, etc.
- Full-length album, a single work or collection of compositions, 25 minutes minimum, recorded for public release in physical format or an online platform
Documents Needed
- Project budget
- Two audio or video examples
- Résumés or bios
Official resources
Eligibility
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, as well as choral training groups whose project includes fees to professional musicians or composers
Who is not eligible
- Recording studios
- Record companies, labels, managers, agents, and lawyers
- Municipalities, colleges, universities, and schools
- Religious institutions
- Organizations receiving certain OAC operating grants
Eligible expenses
- recording, mixing, mastering
- artist and producer fees, including fees to the applicant; for live recordings, additional artist fees for recording (step-up fees) are eligible, but not the fee for live performance itself
- copyright and royalty fees; studio and recording location rental; recording media, such as tapes and hard drives; packaging artwork and design
- a contribution towards marketing or promotional costs specific to the recording, including the hiring of an Ontario-based marketing manager or publicist; manufacturing, up to the first 1,000 units; equipment rental
- purchase of small-scale equipment, software, electronics and similar materials required to carry out the project; childcare and other dependant care fees enabling individuals to take part in the project; expenses related to making the project accessible to audience members and project participants (other than the applicant) who are Deaf or have a disability
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- expenses for activities that take place outside of Ontario
- school projects
- compilation projects (that is, albums that are exclusively re-releases of previously recorded material that has been made public)
- video production, including of promotional and music videos; recordings produced as part of projects in other media, such as television and radio shows, commercials, films, videos, installations and video games; recordings of incidental music for dance or theatre productions
- composition or songwriting; rehearsal; live concert production costs; touring and travel related to promotion or marketing; major capital expenditures, including buying, leasing or renovating buildings and purchase of major equipment; fundraising activities; administrative costs (except for marketing of the recording)
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Music created by Ontario composers and songwriters as well as works by other Canadians; if your project features non-Ontario composers, a compelling case should be made for how the project will add to what is currently available to the public.
- Projects that enhance the range of recorded music available to the public locally, nationally and internationally.
- Projects that are ready or nearly ready to begin recording.
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare your Nova profile
- Create or update your profile in Nova.
- Review the Guide to OAC Project Programs before applying.
- Step 2: Complete the application
- Fill in project information and application answers.
- Prepare the project budget.
- Upload the required artistic examples and support documents.
- Step 3: Submit in Nova
- Log in to Nova and submit the completed application online.
- Submit before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- If you receive a grant, you must complete the project and submit a final report in Nova.
- Projects are only considered complete once the recording is publicly available (digitally and/or physically), except for demos not intended for release.
- publicly recognize OAC funding by reading and following the public value and engagement requirements for grant recipients
- If your final report budget shows a surplus of more than $250, you may be required to repay the surplus amount to OAC.
- If you do not submit a final report or do not complete your project, OAC may require you to repay the grant.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OAC — Music Recording Projects Program
What is the OAC — Music Recording Projects?
Music Recording Projects supports Ontario-based musicians, composers, songwriters, beat producers, groups and organizations to record music in Ontario, with Demo/EP recordings up to $4,000 and full-length albums up to $10,000. Eligible work includes recording, mixing and mastering; artist and producer fees; and studio rental.
How much funding can be received?
OAC — Music Recording Projects Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is November 5, 2026.
Who is eligible for the OAC — Music Recording Projects program?
To be eligible for the OAC — Music Recording Projects program, you must:
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, as well as choral training groups whose project includes fees to professional musicians or composers
What expenses are eligible under OAC — Music Recording Projects?
the recording of music by Ontario-based musicians including composers, songwriters and beat producers
EP recording of a series of songs that may be released individually or as a short album, less than 25 minutes, intended for public release
Demo recordings for the purpose of demonstrating newly developed work for labels, funders, presenters, promoters, festivals, etc.
Full-length album, a single work or collection of compositions, 25 minutes minimum, recorded for public release in physical format or an online platform
Who can I contact for more information about the OAC — Music Recording Projects?
You can contact Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by email at ddaniher@arts.on.ca or by phone at 416-969-7451.
Where is the OAC — Music Recording Projects available?
The OAC — Music Recording Projects program is available the province of Ontario.