OMIF — Live Music

For Ontario-based promoters, presenters, and festival organizers, producing high-quality live music events often comes down to having the upfront capital to book talent, secure venues, and deliver memorable audience experiences. The OMIF – Live Music stream is designed to ease that pressure by helping businesses and organizations bring more Canadian artists to stages across the province. Delivered by Ontario Creates on behalf of the Government of Ontario, this funding supports concerts, festivals, and concert series that strengthen Ontario’s live music ecosystem.

This program focuses on increasing both the number and calibre of live music experiences available to residents and visitors, while also creating meaningful performance and income opportunities for Canadian artists. Funding support can reach up to around $120,000 and is provided as a non-repayable grant that offsets a portion of eligible project costs. These can include artist fees, venue and site rentals, production and technical expenses, marketing and promotion, and even live-streaming or multimedia stage elements. Applicants are generally expected to contribute matching funds and demonstrate clear outcomes tied to audience growth, job creation, or economic impact.

The OMIF – Live Music stream is typically offered through scheduled intakes and is best suited to established small and medium-sized music businesses operating in Ontario. For promoters and presenters planning their next season or festival, learning more about how this funding works could be a key step toward scaling your live events with confidence.