Funding
City of Ottawa
Cultural Funding
The City of Ottawa has many cultural funding programs for local individuals and organizations.
#ottmusic
Apply for Music on Hold, O-Buskers, and City Sounds programs.
Arts Network Ottawa
Articipate
The Articipate Endowment Fund was established in 2007 by Arts Network Ottawa in partnership with the City of Ottawa to support artistic programming in professional spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Ottawa Arts Council
ActivArt Community Micro-Grants
ActivArt Community Micro-Grants Program by the Ottawa Arts Council is a funding program initiated by feedback received directly from the arts community to provide support to artists toward their creative practices.
Ontario Arts Council
OAC Music Funding
The Ontario Arts Council is an arm's-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. OAC's grants and services to professional, Ontario-based artists and arts organizations support arts education, Aboriginal arts, community arts, crafts, dance, Franco-Ontarian arts, literature, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, touring, and visual arts. The Ontario Arts Council supports artists and organizations working in a variety of styles and genres of music.
Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates Programs
Ontario Creates is an agency of the provincial government whose mandate is to be a catalyst for economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Ontario Trillium Foundation Grants
OTF grants help many types of organizations and communities deliver programs and services with direct community benefit for the people of Ontario.
Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council for the Arts Grants
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Canada Council grants are organized into six programs. Discover them on their website.
The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings
FACTOR Programs
FACTOR is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. FACTOR’s programs provide financial support to Canadian recording artists, labels, songwriters, publishers, event producers and distributors. Whether an artist is looking to record a demo or a full-length sound recording, market an existing album, or go on tour at home or internationally, there is funding available.
Musicaction
Musicaction Programs
Musicaction, a non-profit organization, was founded in August 1985 on the initiative of professionals from radio and the recording and entertainment industry. For nearly 40 years, the Foundation has encouraged the development of music by supporting the production and marketing of sound recordings as well as collective promotion activities. Musicaction programs are designed to meet the needs of independent music production, within which the majority of albums by French-speaking artists across the country are produced.
Supporting Organizations
Arts & Entertainment Plan®
The Arts & Entertainment Plan® is offered by AFBS, an insurance provider not focused on profit, serving performers and writers. As an organization, we understand the unique needs of people who earn their living through their creativity and only insure those working in the artistic community. We’re committed to the continued development of a plan that works for the community. OMIC membership grants you access to the popular Arts and Entertainment Plan for health insurance.
MASC
MASC is an Ottawa-based community arts organization that brings the arts and culture alive for over 150,000 children, youth, and seniors each year. MASC offers schools and communities arts experiences led by professional artists that awaken the creative process, deepen cultural awareness, encourage engagement, and give vivid demonstration of Canada’s diversity.
OrKidstra
OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based social development program that empowers kids, ages 5-18, from equity-deserving communities by teaching life skills – such as teamwork, commitment, respect and pride in achievement – through the universal language of music.
Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Gatineau
The mission of the Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, Local 180, AFM is to defend and promote the economic, social, and professional interests of its members who are free-lance musicians, as well as musicians who are working under a collective bargaining agreement.
Produced by Youth
Produced by Youth (PBY) is a Black-led grassroots organization that delivers a unique music-making workshop program aimed at fostering a creative, safe(r) space exclusively for Black youth ages 15-25 to create, connect, and build confidence.
Music Ontario
A division of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), MusicOntario is the hub of Ontario’s vibrant music community, the largest in all of Canada. As a member-based, not-for-profit industry association, MusicOntario is dedicated to providing education, professional development, and support to its members in order to nurture, develop and promote the growth and sustainability of the Ontario music industry.
Folk Music Ontario
Folk Music Ontario (FMO) supports the growth and development of folk music in Ontario by supporting the growth and development of presenters and performers.
Country Music Association of Ontario
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) is an Ontario-based, province-wide, not-for-profit organization. The objective of the CMAO, through the leadership and experience of our Board of Directors, is to foster and support the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry, and to develop opportunities for Ontario artists and all those associated with the Ontario country music infrastructure – provincially, nationally and internationally.
Ontario Music Festivals Association
Ontario Music Festivals Association (OMFA) is the umbrella body for all such festivals in Ontario. Member festivals share the mutual objective of providing performing and competition opportunities for young artists, with professional adjudicators offering assessment, helpful critiques, and workshops where possible.
Ontario Presents
Ontario Presents is a province-wide network of performing arts touring and presenting organizations that work collaboratively to facilitate an equitable distribution of live, diverse performing arts shows – and their engagement with all citizens – into communities across Ontario.
Artists' Legal Advice Services
Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS) is operated by volunteer entertainment and intellectual property lawyers, fellow creators, and law students from the University of Toronto who generously donate their time to help provide advice to those who may not be able to access more expensive alternatives.
Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario
Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) is a movement of Indigenous and racialized artists engaged in empowering the arts communities of Ontario.
Réseau Ontario
Réseau Ontario's mandate is to create and implement conditions and mechanisms conducive to the dissemination of French-speaking performing arts and their long-term maintenance. It facilitates the circulation and promotion of shows and awareness-raising activities in a network of 26 multidisciplinary presenters, associated and affiliated with its two founding members, the APCM and Théâtre Action, as well as its 13 school presenters, representing more of 400 schools. It contributes to the development of French-speaking culture and the arts in Ontario.
Work in Culture
Work in Culture (WIC) is a non-profit arts service organization that has been serving the cultural sector since 1998.
Recording Artists’ Collecting Society
ACTRA RACS (Recording Artists’ Collecting Society) is a not-for-profit performer collective dedicated to ensuring that all performers and recording artists, from session musicians and background performers to featured vocalists, are paid for the use of their work. We collect royalties in Canada and from around the world, representing tens of thousands of recording artists across all genres of music.
Songwriter's Association of Canada
The Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.) is one of Canada’s leading advocating bodies on behalf of Canadian music creators. Led by a board of renowned Canadian music creators and industry experts, our mission is to provide value to our members by developing and protecting the creative, business and legal interests of Canadian music creators.
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers)
SOCAN is a non-profit with a large staff that collects domestic and global performing rights royalties on behalf of songwriters. They also lobby the government on copyright protection for songwriters.
Musicians' Rights Organization Canada (MROC)
MROC is a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit organization whose primary objective is to collect and distribute royalties to musicians and vocalists. MROC distributes the performer’s share of neighbouring rights and private copying royalties. These royalties primarily flow from the broadcast and public performance of sound recordings and are based on tariffs approved by the Copyright Board of Canada.
Connect Music Licensing
CONNECT music licensing administers licences in Canada for the reproduction of sound recordings and the reproduction and broadcast of music videos on behalf of the copyright owners (usually the record companies). A licence from CONNECT music licensing ensures that owners receive compensation for the use of their sound recordings and/or music videos.
Association for Opera in Canada
Association for Opera in Canada (AOC) is a membership-based association for opera companies, opera artists, businesses, teaching institutions, and individuals. We work with members across the sector to mitigate challenges, celebrate successes, and help opera thrive in a changing environment. We are a communications hub, a connector and convenor, a champion and catalyst for change, and a relentless advocate.
Multicultural Artists Coalition (MAC-CAM)
The Multicultural Artists Coalition (MAC-CAM) is a professional arts organization shaped by immigrant, refugee, Indigenous, Black, and POC artists and arts administrators. Through capacity-building workshops, art festivals, research, and advocacy, our programming targets systemic barriers to support our communities in achieving their goals with a larger impact, audience, scale, and visibility.
Association des professionnel.le.s de la chanson et de la musique
The Association des professionnel.le.s de la chanson et de la musique (APCM) is an artistic, professional and promotional support organization. Serving its members, the Association works in French-speaking music and song in Canada. Its mission is dedicated to artists and businesses in the provinces of Ontario, the West and the North.
ADVANCE
ADVANCE is Canada’s Black music business collective. We are a community leading the change in developing an infrastructure for the betterment, upliftment and retention of Black people in the music business. Driven by the heart, soul, and sounds of Black voices across Canada’s music entertainment industry. A unified front for Black people working within all sectors of the Canadian music industry.
Women in Music Canada
Women in Music Canada (WIMC) is a registered non-profit organization and one of the largest music industry associations in Canada. Through programming, community building, and online resources our goal is to strengthen the social-economic balance of the music industry.
Music Canada
Music Canada represents Canada’s major record labels: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. We advocate for a healthy and vibrant Canadian music ecosystem, which includes labels, performing artists, publishers, songwriters, managers and others.
Canadian Country Music Association
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters.
Canadian Live Music Association
The Canadian Live Music Association is the voice of Canada’s vibrant live music industry, working to advance and promote its many economic, social and cultural benefits. Founded in 2014 as a champion for the collective mission of the live music industry, The Canadian Live Music Canada Association is an expert resource for members, including concert promoters, festivals, presenters, venues, agents, ticketing companies, industry associations and suppliers. Advocacy efforts focus on policy advancement, funding, public awareness, research, and activities that unite, highlight and galvanize the work of the live music sector.
Music Education: Post Secondary
Algonquin College
Start your music industry career - learn the world of audio production and the business of music.
The Audio Recording Academy (TARA)
Raven Street Studios aims to provide a quality, practical audio recording education in a nurturing environment at a reasonable price for the student.
University of Ottawa Music Programs
Our School of Music is one of the country’s leading music schools. Whether you want to perfect your instrumental skills with a Bachelor of Music (BMus) or pursue a deeper knowledge of music with a BA in Music, it is the ideal place to nurture your passion for all things musical and to pursue the rigorous training needed for an active and successful career in the field.
Carleton University Music Programs
Carleton University’s Bachelor of Music (Honours) program provides a solid grounding in the study and performance of a wide variety of musical instruments and traditions. Subjects of study include the practice, analysis and history of European classical music from the Middle Ages to the present; Canadian music; computer music; composition; ethnomusicology; jazz; popular music and gender studies.
Mental Health
Good2Talk
Good2Talk provides free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Unison
The Unison Fund is a registered, non-profit music industry charity that provides counseling, emergency financial support, and other resources to the Canadian music community. Created and administered for the music industry, by the music industry, Unison is here to help professional music workers in times of hardship.
together all
together all offers a diverse and safe online community – a place where people can feel safe to share their feelings, support each other, and start to feel better. We expand the role and reach of peer support to populations large and small.
Safe Harbour
Safe Harbour offers support and hope in times of mental, physical, and spiritual crisis. We are for anyone seeking authenticity in an age where everything is filtered.
Upstream
Providing community support to youth and adults living with mental health and substance-use health challenges, to lead self-guided and fulfilling lives.
The Awesome Music Project
The Awesome Music Project is a charity on a mission to make life better through music.
backline
Mental Health & Wellness Resource For The Music Industry
Music Cares
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need... treating each case with integrity and confidentiality.
Naloxone Training
Respect RX Pharmacy offers training for individuals and organizations to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose AND how to properly use the potentially lifesaving medication naloxone. Once the training is complete you can order the free Naloxone kit.
Awarding Programs
Capital Music Awards
The Capital Music Awards by OMIC have recognized artists, creators, music workers, entrepreneurs, and industry members who play a vital role in nurturing Ottawa’s vibrant and diverse music sector.
Ottawa Arts Awards
The Ottawa Arts Council’s Arts Awards by Ottawa Arts Council aim to celebrate and promote artists’ diversity, talent, and contribution to the city’s cultural landscape. The event takes place annually in May with 200+ attendees. Over $400,000 has been awarded since 1988!
Trille Or
The Trille Or (“golden trillium”) Gala by the APCM honours and awards Francophone music artists from Ontario and the western provinces.
Canadian Folk Music Awards
The mission of the Canadian Folk Music Awards is to celebrate and promote Canadian folk music in all its forms.
Canadian Country Music Awards
Each year, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) honours its members who have excelled during the past year with a Canadian Country Music Association Award.
JUNOS
Organized by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the JUNO Awards were founded to raise the public profile and recognition of musical artists in Canada. The JUNO Awards has evolved from an industry awards event to a weeklong festival that travels city to city across the country. It encompasses both public-facing fan events and industry/networking opportunities featuring a diverse array of Canadian artists and emerging talent.
