Closed
Source verified August 2, 2026
OMIF – Music Futures
Supports high-growth Ontario music companies
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 50,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music promoters and presenters, including festivals
See full eligibility
Overview
OMIF – Music Futures provides direct grants to Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music presenters or promoters, including festivals, to support high-performing music companies with growth potential. It funds business activities such as recording and production, artist roster expansion, live music opportunities in Ontario, business development, capacity building, and innovation.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- From $ 25,000 to $ 125,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Recording, editing, mixing and mastering of music performances
- Marketing and promotion activities for new recordings and/or online performances
- Artist development activities focused on acquiring and registering copyrights in musical compositions
- Direct tour costs for an artist signed to the applicant company
- Live music activities for promoters and presenters, including Canadian artist fees, venue or site rental, production and presentation costs, live-streaming, advertising, public relations, and accessibility improvements
Documents Needed
- Activity Budget
- Business Plan or the business plan-related questions within the OAP application schema
- Articles of Incorporation
- Financial Statements for the two most recently completed fiscal years
- Signed Applicant Affidavit
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music promoters and presenters, including festivals
- Companies deriving revenue from any combination of these four applicant categories
Who is not eligible
- Domestic music promoters and presenters, including festivals, with revenues over $1M who meet the eligibility criteria of Experience Ontario
Eligible expenses
- Costs for staff salaries, office space and corporate services directly used in the delivery of the planned activities
- Equipment, materials and software, including amortization expense or actual rental cost where applicable
- Costs associated with event-specific insurance
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- International business travel expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Track record and organizational capacity, including financial and human resources capacity
- Financial risk, including the applicant’s financial capacity and financial position
- Overall proposal quality, including business case, relevance, feasibility, clarity, and completeness
- Economic and critical impact, including measurable goals and anticipated ROI
- Resilience and sustainability, including long-term growth, sustainability, and innovation
How to apply
- Submit the application electronically through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) at https://apply.ontariocreates.ca.
- If you do not have an OAP account, go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/ and click Register.
- Begin the application process early; you can save the application, return to it later, and continue editing until it is ready to be submitted.
- For technical assistance, contact the OAP Helpdesk at applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.
- First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the OMO at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline to discuss eligibility.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed for completeness and eligibility immediately following the deadline.
- Eligible applications are reviewed and assessed by a jury of industry professionals and Ontario Creates staff.
- Successful applicants must sign a standard Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement.
- Successful applicants must provide a final report through the Online Application Portal.
- Generally, payments are triggered by execution of the Ontario Creates transfer payment agreement and delivery of final report(s) and subsequent approval.
Additional information
- Ontario Creates reserves the right to revise Guidelines and Application Forms.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OMIF – Music Futures Program
What is the OMIF – Music Futures?
OMIF – Music Futures provides direct grants to Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music presenters or promoters, including festivals, to support high-performing music companies with growth potential. It funds business activities such as recording and production, artist roster expansion, live music opportunities in Ontario, business development, capacity building, and innovation.
How much funding can be received?
OMIF – Music Futures Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the OMIF – Music Futures program?
To be eligible for the OMIF – Music Futures program, you must:
The applicant must be Ontario-based.
The applicant must have annual revenues from eligible music business activities of $25,000 to $125,000.
The applicant must be in operation for at least two years before the deadline.
What expenses are eligible under OMIF – Music Futures?
Recording, editing, mixing and mastering of music performances
Marketing and promotion activities for new recordings and/or online performances
Artist development activities focused on acquiring and registering copyrights in musical compositions
Direct tour costs for an artist signed to the applicant company
Live music activities for promoters and presenters, including Canadian artist fees, venue or site rental, production and presentation costs, live-streaming, advertising, public relations, and accessibility improvements
Who can I contact for more information about the OMIF – Music Futures?
You can contact Ontario Creates by email at OMO@ontariocreates.ca or by phone at 416-572-0436.
Where is the OMIF – Music Futures available?
The OMIF – Music Futures program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OMIF – Music Futures a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OMIF – Music Futures is a Grant and Funding