OMIF — Live Music

• Activity Budget
• Activity Details and Plans for each proposed activity
• Year-Over-Year Operating Budget
• Business Plan
• 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

Who is eligible?

• Ontario-based live music presenters and promoters.
• Businesses and organizations that produce or promote live music events featuring Canadian artists.
• Eligible applicants include live music promoters and presenters.

Who is not eligible

• Domestic music promoters and presenters with revenues over $1M who meet the eligibility criteria for Experience Ontario are not eligible to apply for OMIF.

Eligible expenses

• Canadian artist fees, venue or site rental, and production and presentation costs
• Advertising costs directly related to eligible performances and public relations services for promotion
• Live-streaming and virtual performance costs
• Business development and capacity building activities
• Accessibility improvement costs directly associated with the event programming
• Administrative and overhead costs directly used in delivery of the planned activities, up to 25% of the total activity costs
• Eligible labour costs, including new positions and current or ongoing positions directly related to the proposed activities
• Capital expenditures such as equipment, materials, and software required for an activity

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Expenses incurred outside of the approved activity period
• Costs relating to international artists
• Costs related to musical theatre and other theatrical performances
• Staff benefit costs
• Cost of alcoholic or cannabis-related products

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• 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.

• Applications must be submitted electronically through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP).
• Applicants who do not have a user account on OAP should click on Register.
• Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process well in advance of the deadline.
• Late applications will not be considered for funding.

• Decisions will be communicated in February 2026.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a list of artists to be engaged, accompanied by artist contracts or documentation that supports current contractual relationships.
• If final details or contracts are not available at the time of application, applicants must provide evidence to support the likelihood of securing the artists, performances and/or venues.
• OMIF recipients will be required at the interim and/or final reporting stage to provide specific details regarding new employees or contractors included in activity budgets.
• Ontario Creates may adjust the amount of Funds it provides for any Funding Year based upon its assessment of the information the recipient provides.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Applicants are required to provide a matching contribution, ensuring maximum ROI from provincial investment.
• Successful applicants must provide a Certificate of Insurance with specific criteria before the transfer payment agreement is executed.
• Internally prepared financial statements are acceptable for requests up to $15,000, while more substantial requests require a Compilation Engagement Report, Notice-to-Reader, or audited statements depending on the amount.
• Applications open the week of August 19th, 2024, providing preparatory time before the October deadline.
• In addition to financial statements, a business plan outlining the company's competitive strengths and risk management strategies is required.