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Source verified October 6, 2026
OMIF — Live Music
Supports live music events in Ontario
Latest source updateLast Update: September 20, 2026Latest change: The OMIF page now shows the Global Market Development for Music Managers stream, with Ontario-based music management companies as eligible applicants and a June 18, 2025 deadline.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 20, 2026
Latest change: The OMIF page now shows the Global Market Development for Music Managers stream, with Ontario-based music management companies as eligible applicants and a June 18, 2025 deadline.
OMIF stream update for music managers
The source now presents OMIF Global Market Development for Music Managers instead of the previously tracked Live Music content. It identifies Ontario-based music management companies as eligible applicants for national and international market-development activities, with applications closed and a deadline of June 18, 2025 for activities taking place from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Funding terms are shown as up to 50% of eligible activity costs, with a maximum funding request of $10,000. The application instructions, required documents, and official contact details are also tied to this managers-focused stream, including the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal and the program contact at 416-572-0436 and OMO@ontariocreates.ca.
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 125,000
Deadline
October 22, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Domestic Music Promoters and Presenters (including festivals) with revenues over $125K and under $1M to apply to this program.
See full eligibility
Overview
OMIF – Live Music supports Ontario-based businesses and organizations that produce or promote live music events featuring Canadian artists, including eligible music festivals and concert series. It provides direct grants and matching contributions to increase live music experiences in Ontario through performances, venue or site rental, and production costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop workforce skills
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 25,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Producing or promoting live music events in Ontario featuring Canadian artists.
- Eligible music festivals and concert series.
Documents Needed
- Activity Budget; Activity Details and Plans for each proposed activity; Year-Over-Year Operating Budget.
- Business Plan for requests of $50,000 or more.
- Articles of Incorporation; Financial Statements for the two most recently completed fiscal years.
- Back-up confirmation to support confirmed or pending financing; Signed Related Party Transaction form.
- Signed Applicant Affidavit.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Domestic Music Promoters and Presenters (including festivals) with revenues over $125K and under $1M to apply to this program.
Who is not eligible
- Festivals, except where music is the primary activity and the festival presenter meets the requirements outlined in the guidelines.
- Federal, provincial, municipal governments and/or their agencies, and universities or colleges.
- Unincorporated or unregistered artists and organizations.
- Venues and clubs, unless acting in capacity of promoter for more than one venue.
- Domestic music promoters and presenters (including festivals) with revenues over $1M based on the average of the 2 most recent fiscal years who meet the eligibility criteria for Experience Ontario.
Eligible expenses
- Canadian artist fees; venue or site rental; production and presentation costs, including audio and visual support, technical and stage crews.
- Designing and producing video and multimedia stage shows, live-streaming and virtual performances, advertising costs directly related to eligible performances, and public relations services directly related to the promotion of the performance(s).
- Business development and capacity building activities, including staff training and development, market intel or analysis, business or financial planning, and digital innovation.
- Accessibility improvements to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, directly associated with the event programming.
- Administrative and overhead costs directly used in the delivery of the planned activities, eligible labour costs directly related to the proposed activities, and capital expenditures such as the purchase of equipment, materials and software required for an activity.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred outside of the approved activity period; expenses not in the original budget and which did not receive pre-approval by Ontario Creates.
- Costs relating to international artists; costs related to musical theatre and other theatrical performances.
- Staff and labour costs not directly related to the activity; staff benefit costs; occupancy costs unless otherwise stated in the guidelines; real estate costs and leasehold improvements, or capital costs related to permanent structures.
- Cost of alcoholic or cannabis-related products; fees relating to the compilation engagement report, review engagement, or audit of applicant financial statements; fees relating to the procurement of services of grant writers for preparing government funding applications; cost of General Liability insurance; taxes that are recoverable by the recipient; related party transactions which did not receive pre-approval by Ontario Creates.
- Touring/performance activities supported through the OMIF Music Creation stream.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Applicants proposing a higher percentage of Ontario-based expenses will be considered more favourably.
- Applicants contributing a higher percentage of non-government funding will be considered more favourably.
- The quantity and quality of the activities selected will affect the number of applicants funded and the amount awarded.
How to apply
- First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the Ontario Music Office a minimum of two weeks ahead of the application deadline to discuss their eligibility and/or funding restrictions.
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) at https://apply.ontariocreates.ca.
- Applicants who do not have a user account on OAP should go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/login.aspx and click on Register.
- Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process well in advance of the deadline and can save and edit information until the completed application is submitted.
- The use of AI technology must be disclosed and outlined in your application.
- Late applications will not be considered for funding.
Processing and Agreement
- Successful applicants will be required to deliver an interim report and final report through the Online Application Portal by the identified deadline(s).
- Execution of the Ontario Creates transfer payment agreement, delivery of interim report(s) and subsequent approval, and delivery of the completed activities and all deliverables outlined in the funding agreement and subsequent approval generally trigger payments.
- Recipients will be required to provide Ontario Creates with a satisfactory report evaluating the completed initiative.
- A cost report is required as part of the reporting process.
- Ontario Creates reserves the right to request receipts to demonstrate actual expenses incurred by OMIF recipients.
Additional information
- All Ontario Creates decisions are final.
- Ontario Creates reserves the right to alter program guidelines with general public notice to all potential applicants, and to refuse any application for any reason.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OMIF — Live Music Program
What is the OMIF — Live Music?
OMIF – Live Music supports Ontario-based businesses and organizations that produce or promote live music events featuring Canadian artists, including eligible music festivals and concert series. It provides direct grants and matching contributions to increase live music experiences in Ontario through performances, venue or site rental, and production costs.
How much funding can be received?
OMIF — Live Music Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $125,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 22, 2026.
Who is eligible for the OMIF — Live Music program?
To be eligible for the OMIF — Live Music program, you must:
Ontario-based, Canadian-owned business operating for at least two years before application, with its principal place of business in Ontario for at least one year before the deadline. Ontario or federal incorporation required, or immediate incorporation if successful. Annual core live music presenting/promoting revenues ≥$25,000; exceptions may be considered for BIPOC- or Francophone-led companies and applicants meeting the provincial diversity definition.
What expenses are eligible under OMIF — Live Music?
Producing or promoting live music events in Ontario featuring Canadian artists.
Eligible music festivals and concert series.
Who can I contact for more information about the OMIF — Live Music?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at omo@ontariocreates.ca or by phone at 416-572-0436.
Where is the OMIF — Live Music available?
The OMIF — Live Music program is available the province of Ontario.