Deadline: 16-Oct-2025
The Ontario Arts Council’s Music Organizations: Operating program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit opera companies, orchestras, choral organizations, and other music-mandated producers and presenters across Ontario.
The program is designed to sustain the operations of not-for-profit music organizations in Ontario, including opera companies, orchestras, choral organizations, and other music-mandated producers and presenters. It emphasizes the importance of engaging professional Ontario and Canadian musicians, supporting the work of Canadian composers and songwriters, and ensuring broad public access to diverse forms of music. In addition, it values projects that strengthen arts education, encourage public participation, foster community involvement, and advance the overall development of music in the province.
Eligible applicants must be Ontario-based not-for-profit corporations, or national not-for-profit corporations with a head office in Ontario. Organizations must demonstrate financial stability, with minimum revenue requirements of $75,000 for most applicants, $100,000 for opera companies, and $200,000 for orchestras. Applicants must also have at least two years of sustained, ongoing programming, a range of revenue sources, and an active governing board.
Music organizations are expected to actively support Canadian music by hiring Ontario and Canadian performers and presenting works by Canadian composers or songwriters, unless their mandate restricts them to specific genres. They must also produce and present curated programming that reflects a clear artistic vision. Additional requirements vary by organization type. Orchestras must have completed at least two seasons with a minimum of two distinct self-presented concerts per season and must show evidence of professional artistic leadership. Choral organizations involving amateur singers must provide professional leadership, such as conductors or rehearsal pianists. Opera companies must produce professional opera as their core mandate, with at least two operas per season for standard repertoire companies, or annual workshops for companies developing new works. Music festivals must present core programming within a defined and concentrated time frame.
Certain applicants are not eligible, including non-arts organizations, municipalities, colleges or universities, facilities that only present performances, organizations affiliated with religious institutions, and those without music as their primary mandate. Entertainment presenters, trade shows, conferences, music competitions, youth orchestras, and organizations operating under a parent group already funded through another OAC program are also excluded.
For more information, visit Ontario Arts Council.
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