Open
Source verified August 11, 2026
OAC — Music Recording Projects
Supports Ontario music recording projects
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
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
Availability timeline
2026
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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.