OMIF — Music Creation

The OMIF – Music Creation stream provides flexible financing options to support the growth of Ontario's music industry while ensuring that recipients meet co-funding requirements. The financing modalities are designed to maximize the impact of provincial investment through clear funding structures.

• Direct grant funding is available, covering up to 50% of eligible activity costs.
• The maximum funding amount is capped at 40% of the company’s two-year average total revenue, with a ceiling of $200,000 per project.
• The minimum funding request should be $10,000.
• Eligible applicants must contribute a matching investment to secure grant support.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and business activities.

• Eligible applicants are domestic record labels, multinational record labels, and domestic music publishers.
• High potential self-releasing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) and Francophone artist-entrepreneurs may also be eligible as domestic record labels.
• Applicants must have minimum annual revenues of $25,000 from core business activities.
• The company must be based in Ontario, meaning it is registered in Ontario and has a permanent office in Ontario.
• The company must demonstrate that it can provide a matching contribution to the funding it requests.
• The application should align with the goals of the OMIF Music Creation stream, focusing on expanding artist rosters, investing in professional recording and production, facilitating job creation, undertaking export market development, enhancing business capacity, and increasing diversity within the Ontario music industry.

Who is eligible?

Eligible expenses

Eligible activities under the OMIF Music Creation stream are designed to promote the growth and development of music companies and artists in Ontario. These activities focus on enhancing creative and strategic initiatives within the music industry.

• Recording and professional production of musical works.
• Marketing and promotion of artists and musical productions.
• Touring and showcasing events to expand audience reach.
• Business development initiatives aimed at increasing industry capacity.
• Export market development to facilitate international opportunities.
• Projects that promote diversity and inclusion within the music sector.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies based in Ontario. Eligible locations are geared towards supporting Ontario's vibrant and diverse music industry.

• Companies registered and with a permanent office in Ontario.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

• Demonstrated capacity to undertake the proposed activities and achieve clear, measurable outcomes.
• Alignment with program objectives including business activity expansion, artist roster growth, and enhancement of diversity.
• Potential for long-term growth and strengthening of the music company.
• Efficiency in leveraging additional resources through matching contributions.
• Contribution to job creation and economic development within the Ontario music industry.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the OMO at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline to discuss eligibility and seek guidance.
• Applicants must provide a Certificate of Insurance before the transfer payment agreement can be executed.
• The grant amount requested should reflect core business revenues, and the OMO may request additional revenue breakdown information if needed.
• Clear, measurable outcomes aligned with the Music Creation stream objectives are critical for application success.
• OMIF reserves the right to request invoices and proof of payment to verify eligibility of expenses.
• Funding decisions are typically announced approximately 14 weeks after the application deadline.
• OMIF recognizes various forms of financial statements based on the funding amount requested, ensuring they comply with set standards.
• The application process can be incremental, allowing applicants to save and edit information until submission.