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OMIF — Music Creation
Money to support Ontario music creators
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Funding available
$ 200,000
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Ontario Creates provides direct funding to eligible music companies in Ontario to support growth-focused business activities. The program covers activities such as recording and production, marketing and promotion, touring and showcasing, artist development, business development, and business travel.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Language Minorities
- Black Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Recording and production of music performances
- Marketing and promotion of new recordings or online performances
- Touring and showcasing activities for signed artists
- Artist development and copyright-related initiatives
- Business development and market growth activities
Documents Needed
- Activity budget
- Activity details and plans
- Business plan
- Articles of incorporation
- Financial statements for the two most recently completed fiscal years
- Signed applicant affidavit
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
OMIF Music Creation eligibility and scope updated
OMIF Music Creation now reflects updated applicant groups, eligibility thresholds, and guidance for the 2026-27 program year.
OMIF Music Creation has been substantially updated to reflect a new OMIF structure for the 2026-27 program year, including five program streams and revised applicant groups. The page now shows materially different eligibility guidance, scope, and selection criteria, along with updated application guidance for supporting documents and company requirements. Funding and deadline text appear mostly unchanged at a high level, but the overall program framing has shifted to Ontario-based music businesses and a broader set of eligible company types. Contact and portal details appear largely the same, with only minor changes in that area.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Domestic record labels
- Multinational record labels
- Domestic music publishers
Eligible expenses
- Recording, editing, mixing, and mastering
- Marketing and promotion
- Business development and business travel
- Artist development and copyright-related activities
- Direct tour costs, including travel and promotion
- Administrative, labour, and certain capital costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses outside the approved activity period
- Costs not pre-approved by Ontario Creates
- International artist costs and foreign producer fees
- Manufacturing fees, staff benefits, and real estate or leasehold improvement costs
- Recoverable taxes, grant writer fees, and general liability insurance
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Strong support for emerging artists
- Higher share of Ontario-based expenses
- Clear, measurable outcomes aligned with program objectives
- Capacity to support growth and return on investment
How to apply
- Step 1: Review guidelines and confirm eligibility
- Read the Music Creation guidelines and Program Policies.
- Contact the Ontario Music Office at least two weeks before the deadline if needed.
- Step 2: Register in the Online Application Portal
- Create an account in the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal if you do not already have one.
- Use the portal’s registration and quick start resources if needed.
- Step 3: Prepare application materials
- Complete the required forms and gather the supporting documents listed in the portal.
- Prepare the activity budget and business plan or application responses.
- Step 4: Submit the application online
- Submit the full application electronically through the Ontario Creates portal before the deadline.
- Late applications are not considered.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Ontario Creates after submission.
- Decisions are communicated about 14 weeks after the deadline.
- Successful applicants must have a certificate of insurance before the transfer payment agreement is executed.
- Funding is provided under a transfer payment agreement with reports required.
Additional information
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the OMIF — Music Creation Program
What is the OMIF — Music Creation?
Ontario Creates provides direct funding to eligible music companies in Ontario to support growth-focused business activities. The program covers activities such as recording and production, marketing and promotion, touring and showcasing, artist development, business development, and business travel.
How much funding can be received?
OMIF — Music Creation Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the OMIF — Music Creation program?
To be eligible for the OMIF — Music Creation program, you must:
Domestic record labels, multinational record labels, or domestic music publishers
Ontario-based companies in operation for 2+ years
Minimum annual revenues of $25,000
What expenses are eligible under OMIF — Music Creation?
Recording, editing, mixing, and mastering
Marketing and promotion
Business development and business travel
Artist development and copyright-related activities
Direct tour costs, including travel and promotion
Administrative, labour, and certain capital costs
Where is the OMIF — Music Creation available?
The OMIF — Music Creation program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OMIF — Music Creation a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OMIF — Music Creation is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the OMIF — Music Creation?
OMIF — Music Creation is funded by Government of Ontario, Ontario Creates