Ontario OMIF Live Music 2026–27: Up to C$125,000 for Local Festival and Concert Promoters
A provincial music-industry grant for concerts and festivals
The Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF) Live Music stream is open for the 2026–27 funding round. Administered by Ontario Creates, it supports businesses and organizations that produce or present concerts, concert series and eligible music festivals in Ontario featuring Canadian artists. The stated goals include building audiences, raising artists' performance revenue and developing employment for live-event producers, promoters, venues and technical workers.
Unlike a direct scholarship to a singer or instrumentalist, the applicant here is an eligible company or live-music presenter. A musician looking for a grant solely to make a recording or buy personal equipment should not assume this programme is the right one. It is directed towards the economics and professional delivery of actual live events.
How much may be requested: a maximum of 50% of costs
Ontario Creates offers direct grants covering up to half of eligible project expenses, subject to a further ceiling of 40% of the applicant company's average total revenue over two years. The absolute cap is C$125,000, and the minimum amount that may be requested is C$10,000. Applicants need to bring an appropriate matching financial contribution rather than plan to finance every expense through this public grant.
These are programme ceilings, not a promise that each successful promoter will receive C$125,000. A clear itemised budget should distinguish proposed music programming, revenues, expenses, other income and the OMIF share. Promoters must show measurable effects on Ontario's live-music audiences, artists and business activity, not merely an intention to stage entertainment.
Eligibility and the key company-revenue threshold
The public guidelines state that domestic promoters and presenters, including eligible festivals, generally need company revenues over C$125,000 and under C$1 million to use this stream. Companies above C$1 million may be eligible under certain conditions if they do not meet the eligibility requirements of the separate Experience Ontario programme. Smaller companies in the C$25,000–C$125,000 revenue band are advised to examine the separate OMIF Music Futures stream.
Ontario Creates also cautions that businesses eligible for both programmes generally cannot receive OMIF and Experience Ontario funding for the same event and activity period. Complete definitions, proof of corporate status, eligible sources of revenue and limits on reimbursable costs are found in the downloadable stream guidelines. Applicants should not use this brief summary alone to decide eligibility.
October 22 deadline, with activities beginning in December
The Live Music intake closes Thursday 22 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The funded activity window is 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027. Spending before approval can be at the applicant's own risk, and the funding agreement and proof of insurance must be resolved before the province releases support under the applicable terms.
The organizer recommends that first-time applicants contact the Ontario Music Office in advance to discuss eligibility. Because the closing date is only days away, businesses should start the online form and prepare revenue figures, budgets and support materials immediately rather than treat the deadline as a general expression-of-interest date.
Application portal and evidence that makes a credible project
Applicants must submit through Ontario Creates' online application portal, following the current Live Music Guidelines linked from the official stream page. A strong application should identify the artist and audience opportunity, specify where Canadian music will be presented and describe the commercial strategy, including ticketing or other revenue, artist remuneration and measurable market outcomes.
The Ontario Music Office can be contacted at omo@ontariocreates.ca for questions about the programme, while technical questions about the application portal go to applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca. The government indicates insurance requirements for successful awardees, including commercial general liability cover; interested companies should verify all costs and obligations directly in the current guidelines before committing to a schedule.
Source: Ontario Creates, Ontario Music Investment Fund – Live Music 2026–27, official programme page accessed 18 October 2026. Full eligibility and expense rules are set out in the current Live Music Guidelines and online application portal.