Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Canadian music grants and funding opportunities, a valuable resource for musicians, composers, and music-related organizations. In Canada, various grants and funding programs are available to support diverse aspects of the music industry, from creation to promotion.
“In the 2022-23 fiscal year, FACTOR offered $40,121,875 in funding to a total of 3,045 projects across all of our regular programs. Additionally, FACTOR offered $11,223,950 in Emergency Support Funds across 218 recipients.” –
FACTOR Annual Report
FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings)
FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) is a public/private partnership that supports the production of sound recordings by Canadian musicians and helps Canadian music companies make recordings available to a wider public.
They are dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. We administer funds from the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Music Fund, and from Canada’s private radio broadcasters. FACTOR has been managing federal funds since the inception of the Sound Recording Development Program in 1986 (now known as the Canada Music Fund).
Support is provided to Canadian recording artists, songwriters, artist managers, record labels, music publishers, distributors, and event producers through numerous programs. Whether an artist is looking to record a few tracks, a full length sound recording, market and promote an existing album, or showcase and tour at home or abroad, funding is available. FACTOR supports the infrastructure that must be in place in order for artists and music entrepreneurs to progress into the international arena.
FACTOR.ca | Twitter | Instagram
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts exists to encourage and support the arts as a significant contributor to quality of life in Alberta.
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is a public agency and a provincial corporation of the Government of Alberta with a mandate to support and contribute to the development of the arts in Alberta. We provide grant funding to artists and art organizations to encourage the growth and development of the arts sector. We also promote the arts, and manage an extensive provincial art collection featuring work from artists all over the province.
AFFTA.ab.ca | Twitter | Facebook
British Columbia Arts Council
The British Columbia Arts Council supports arts and cultural activity in communities across British Columbia. From professional dance companies, to art galleries, local museums and music festivals – the Council works to enrich the lives of British Columbians in virtually every community in the province. The Council supports a range of activities that includes funding for professional artists and arts organizations, community initiatives, training and scholarships.
Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council grants are organized into six programs:
- Explore and Create funds Canadian artists, artistic groups and organizations committed to the creation and dissemination of innovative, vibrant and diverse art.
- Engage and Sustain fosters a vibrant foundation for the arts in Canada by supporting arts organizations at the heart of Canada’s creative communities.
- Supporting Artistic Practice encourages a dynamic support system for the arts in Canada by funding Canadian arts professionals, groups, and arts organizations who champion the Canadian arts sector, boost the capacity for artists to realize work and advance the conditions of creation.
- Arts Across Canada fosters meaningful relationships and exchanges between artists and the Canadian public. Artists, arts professionals, groups and arts organizations can apply to present and share artistic work with diverse communities across the country, engage more deeply with the public and develop a stronger national profile.
- Arts Abroad celebrates the creativity, innovation and excellence of Canadian artists by helping to bring Canadian works to the world.
- The Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples program supports Indigenous individuals, groups, Indigenous-led arts organizations and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem.
Canada Music Fund (CMF)
The Canada Music Fund (CMF) ensures that a diversity of Canadian music artists connect with audiences everywhere. The CMF has two components: Individual Initiatives and Collective Initiatives. These components are delivered through the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) for the Anglophone market and the Fondation Musicaction (Musicaction) for the Francophone market.
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
The Ontario Arts Council was established in 1963 to foster the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians. 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.
ARTS.on.ca | Twitter | Facebook
Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates an agency of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries is the central catalyst for the province’s cultural media cluster including book publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, magazine publishing and music industries.
Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC)
The Ontario Media Development Corporation is the central catalyst for Ontario’s cultural media cluster. It promotes, enhances and leverages investment, jobs, and original content creation in the province’s print publishing, film and television, music and interactive digital media industries.
OMDC.on.ca | Twitter | Facebook
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Ontario Trillium Foundation grants help many types of organizations and communities deliver programs and services with direct community benefit for the people of Ontario.
Radio Starmaker Fund
The Radio Starmaker Fund was created in the fall of 2000 on the initiative of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and approved by the CRTC. It is a private fund which has as its stated purpose to “make a substantial and discernable difference to the careers of Canadian artists” by providing substantial incremental investment where the artist has established a proven track record and his or her label is making a Significant Investment in their future career.
RBC Emerging Artists
Since 2007, the RBC Emerging Artists has been supporting organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literature and film. Discover specially-curated opportunities and resources for artists and storytellers, designed to help you grow and thrive in your careers.
SOCAN Foundation Grants
SOCAN Foundation provides grants for Canadian music creators and publishers working to promote appreciation for Canadian music in today’s society. SOCAN Foundation grants support the spread of our music both within Canada and abroad, ensuring our voices are heard all over the world and in our own back yards.
Toronto Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council provides grants to outstanding artists and arts organizations that contribute to the cultural life of the city of Toronto.
