Updated August 2026 · Verified against Ontario Creates (Ontario Music Office) guidelines
Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Upcoming

Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music

Ontario Creates (Ontario Music Office)
Maximum Funding
Up to 40% of 2-year average annual revenue, maximum $125,000...
Applications open the week of August 24, 2026; deadline Thursday, October 22,...
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
50%
Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music provides Up to 40% of 2-year average annual revenue, maximum $125,000 per funding cycle; minimum request $10,000. A provincial grant stream within the Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF) that supports Ontario-based live music presenters and promoters producing eligible music festivals and concert series featuring Canadian artists. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications open the week of August 24, 2026; deadline Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.. Approval odds: ~40% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

A provincial grant stream within the Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF) that supports Ontario-based live music presenters and promoters producing eligible music festivals and concert series featuring Canadian artists. Provides up to 40% of the applicant's two-year average annual revenues to a maximum of $125,000 per funding cycle, with a minimum request of $10,000. OMIF cannot exceed 50% of total approved project budget. Matching contribution required.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Ontario-based live music presenters and promoters (corporations or not-for-profits)
  • Must present eligible music festivals or concert series featuring Canadian artists
  • Minimum annual revenues over $125,000
  • Must be able to provide a matching contribution (OMIF contribution cannot exceed 50% of total approved budget)
  • Activities must take place in Ontario
  • Applicant must be registered and in good standing with Ontario Creates' online application portal
Provinces
Ontario
Industries
Music Arts Culture Creative Industries
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to 40% of 2-year average annual revenue, maximum $125,000 per funding cycle; minimum request $10,000
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Applications open the week of August 24, 2026; deadline Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Oct 22, 2026
Approval
Moderate
Approval Rate
~40%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

First-time applicants to any Ontario Creates program must contact the Ontario Music Office at least two weeks before the deadline — they offer a pre-submission review that significantly improves application quality.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Register on the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal Create an account at apply.ontariocreates.ca. First-time applicants should also email [email protected] at least two weeks before the deadline for a pre-submission consultation.

Required Documents 7

✓ Completed application through Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (apply.ontariocreates.ca)
✓ Two years of audited or reviewed financial statements (dated within 6 months of fiscal year-end)

Eligible Expenses 6

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Canada Music Fund (CMF) — Concert Series Ontario Arts Council (OAC) — Touring and Export grants FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music Up to 40% of 2-year average annual... Moderate Reimbursement Applications open the...
FACTOR — Canada Music Fund (Artist Pr... Up to $67,500 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Multiple annual intake...
Creative Industries Funding Varies Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing (multiple...
SSHRC Partnerships Up to $2.5M Hard Advance Payment Partnership Grants:...
Creative Export Canada Up to $2,500,000 Hard Varies Annual Calls

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Ontario Creates — OMIF Live Music

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Is this only for large festival organizations?
The stream is aimed at established presenters: the revenue floor is over $125,000, with requests from $10,000 up to $125,000. A promoter averaging $100K annual revenue is below the floor for this stream and should look at the other OMIF streams instead.
Does every event have to feature Canadian artists?
Yes — the stream requires that eligible festivals and concert series feature Canadian artists. The specific percentage requirement is detailed in the annual guidelines (published when applications open in August).
I'm a first-time applicant. What should I do?
Contact the Ontario Music Office at [email protected] at least two weeks before the October 22 deadline. They offer pre-submission consultations that materially improve application quality and reduce rejection risk.
What if my actual results come in below projections?
Ontario Creates assesses shortfalls case-by-case. Significant underperformance or failure to complete funded activities can trigger repayment of all or part of the grant. Communicate proactively with your program officer if circumstances change.
Can a for-profit concert promoter apply?
Yes — both for-profit and non-profit organizations are eligible as long as they meet the revenue threshold and activity requirements.

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