Open Call: Music Production and Presentation Projects (Canada)

The Music Projects Program provides funding to support the development and presentation of live and virtual music projects across Ontario. Ontario-based professional musicians, music organizations, collectives, orchestras, choirs, festivals, and presenters can apply for grants of up to CAD 20,000 to deliver concerts, concert series, music festivals, and opera productions.

Music Projects Program

The Music Projects Program supports professional music activities that increase public access to high-quality live and virtual performances across Ontario.

The program funds projects across diverse music genres and encourages artistic excellence, audience engagement, accessibility, and professional development within Ontario’s music sector.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects that promote:

• Live music performances
• Virtual music presentations
• Professional music production
• Concert programming
• Concert series
• Music festivals
• Opera productions
• Music curation
• Audience development
• Arts accessibility
• Community engagement
• Professional artistic collaboration
• Ontario music sector development

Grant Amount

Funding varies according to the applicant category.

• Individual professional musicians, programmers, ad hoc groups, collectives, and music organizations: Up to CAD 20,000
• Semi-professional, community, and choral training organizations: Up to CAD 5,000
• Northern semi-professional and community orchestras: Up to CAD 20,000
• Other semi-professional and community orchestras: Up to CAD 15,000

Award amounts may be lower than the amount requested depending on available funding and project assessment.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include:

• Single concerts featuring paid professional musicians
• Concert series with at least two performances
• Music festivals held within a concentrated period
• Opera productions
• Live music events
• Virtual music presentations

Organizations without a primary music mandate must demonstrate a clear music curatorial vision, with the proposed project primarily focused on a music series or festival.

Eligible Expenses

Funding may be used for:

• Professional artistic fees
• Performer fees
• Production costs
• Venue rental
• Equipment rental
• Marketing and promotion
• Publicity
• Administrative expenses
• Audio recording for virtual presentations
• Video production directly related to virtual performances
• Archival recording for live performances
• Childcare and dependent care expenses
• Accessibility services for artists and audiences
• Small-scale equipment, software, electronics, or related materials up to CAD 500

Community orchestras, community choirs, and choral training groups may request funding only for professional artistic expenses, including:

• Conductors
• Accompanists
• Section leaders
• Royalty fees

Ineligible Activities

The program does not support:

• Music creation or composition projects
• Songwriting projects
• Fundraising events
• Productions involving significant numbers of amateur performers (except where specifically permitted)
• Tours where presenters pay guaranteed fees
• Music videos
• Large-scale audiovisual productions intended for future distribution
• Religious service performances
• Artist training activities (except in limited circumstances)
• Award ceremonies
• Activities taking place outside Ontario
• Major capital purchases
• Buildings
• Musical instruments
• Computers
• Large equipment purchases

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Ontario-resident professional musicians
• Professional composers
• Professional songwriters
• Music programmers
• Music curators
• Professional ad hoc music groups
• Music collectives
• Bands
• Ensembles
• Professional orchestras
• Opera companies
• Choirs
• Music presenters
• Music festival organizers
• Music producers operating on a not-for-profit basis
• Incorporated Ontario not-for-profit music organizations
• Professionally led community orchestras
• Community choirs
• Choral training organizations
• Non-music arts organizations with professional music curatorial leadership

Ad hoc groups and collectives must include at least two professional members.

Why This Grant Matters

The Music Projects Program helps:

• Increase public access to professional music.
• Support Ontario musicians and music organizations.
• Strengthen live performance opportunities.
• Encourage artistic excellence.
• Promote diverse music genres.
• Improve accessibility for artists and audiences.
• Support community engagement through music.
• Enhance Ontario’s cultural sector.
• Foster professional collaboration.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when preparing your application:

1. Confirm your eligibility.
2. Choose an eligible music project.
3. Develop a detailed project plan.
4. Prepare a realistic project budget.
5. Include all eligible expenses.
6. Demonstrate professional artistic participation.
7. Explain audience development and community impact.
8. Address accessibility considerations where applicable.
9. Complete and submit the application before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Present a clear artistic vision.
• Demonstrate professional artistic quality.
• Explain audience engagement strategies.
• Include a realistic and transparent budget.
• Highlight community impact.
• Show strong project planning.
• Describe accessibility measures.
• Ensure requested funding matches project scope.

Common Application Mistakes

Avoid these common errors:

• Applying for ineligible activities.
• Including major capital purchases.
• Requesting unsupported expenses.
• Submitting incomplete budgets.
• Providing unclear artistic objectives.
• Failing to demonstrate professional artistic involvement.
• Proposing projects outside Ontario.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Ontario-based professional musicians, music organizations, collectives, presenters, orchestras, choirs, opera companies, festivals, and eligible not-for-profit organizations.

How much funding is available?

Funding ranges from CAD 5,000 to CAD 20,000, depending on the applicant category.

What types of music projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include concerts, concert series, music festivals, opera productions, and live or virtual professional music presentations.

Can funding be used for marketing?

Yes. Marketing, publicity, and promotion costs are eligible expenses.

Are accessibility costs eligible?

Yes. Accessibility expenses for artists and audiences who are Deaf or have disabilities are eligible.

Can community orchestras apply?

Yes. Professionally led community orchestras are eligible, subject to their funding category and eligible expense restrictions.

What activities are not funded?

The program does not fund music creation or songwriting projects, fundraising events, music videos, activities outside Ontario, major equipment purchases, buildings, or other ineligible activities.

Conclusion

The Music Projects Program provides significant support for Ontario’s professional music community by funding concerts, festivals, opera productions, and virtual performances. Through investments in artistic excellence, accessibility, audience engagement, and professional collaboration, the program helps strengthen Ontario’s vibrant music sector while expanding opportunities for artists and audiences across the province.