Deadline: 28-Apr-23
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has launched the Experience Ontario Program 2023 to support festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and increase tourism spending.
Program Objectives
The Experience Ontario 2023 program aims to support festivals or events in Ontario that will:
- Offer programming that encourages people to travel, experience events in-person and celebrate Ontario.
- Draw tourists and increase visitor spending through innovative programming in partnership with businesses and community partners
- Provide job opportunities for Ontarians in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors
- Increase Ontario’s profile through media, social media, or broadcast exposure
Program Priorities
Applicants must demonstrate the following in their application:
- Strong organizational capacity for producing successful festivals or events
- A solid rationale for the festival or event and its capacity to provide a positive economic impact
- How the festival or event supports job opportunities for Ontarians in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors
- An evaluation plan to report on tourism economic impact and performance metrics, including tourist attendance, revenue, and spending
Funding Information
- Applicants are eligible to apply for a grant of up to 50% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $125,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible organizations must:
- be Ontario-based entities in existence since January 1, 2022, or before, including those that are established by or under legislation; are federally or provincially incorporated; or are band councils as defined under the Indian Act
- not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario
- have a Canadian bank account in the legal name of the applicant at a Canadian financial institution conducting business in Ontario
- In addition, your festival or event must meet all the following requirements:
- take place between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, over a minimum of two days (one day festivals or events held on Canada day are eligible for funding)
- occur in the province of Ontario
- be open to the public at large without membership in a club or group
- be promoted to tourists
- A maximum of one application per organization
For more information, visit Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.