Music Organizations Operating
no fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Music Organizations Operating program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, opera companies, orchestras, choral organizations and other music-mandated producers and presenters in Ontario.
Comments on Funding:
Applicants will receive grant notification letters which include the recommended grant amount.
March 6 (all organizations, except festivals) and October 16 (festivals only), 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
1. Ontario-based, not-for-profit corporations, or national not-for-profit corporations with a head office in Ontario
2. Organizations that have:
a. at least $75,000 in total revenue for the last fiscal year, and in projected revenue for the current and requested years (for applicants not currently receiving funding from this program), with the following exception:
i. opera companies must have at least $100,000 in total revenue for the last fiscal year, and in projected revenues for the current and requested years
ii. orchestras must have at least $200,000 in total revenues for the last fiscal year, and in projected revenue for the current and requested years
b. at least two years of sustained, regular, ongoing programming, as of the application date. If your organization does not meet this requirement, consider applying for project funding
c. a range of revenue sources
d. an active board of directors/governing body
3. Music organizations that:
a. actively support Canadian music by hiring professional Ontarian and Canadian performers, and by performing the music of professional Canadian composers/songwriters (unless restricted by mandate: for example, Baroque orchestra)
b. produce and/or present curated music programming that reflects a defined artistic mandate
4. Orchestras must:
a. be professional, semi-professional or a nationally designated orchestral training organization
b. have completed at least two full seasons by the application date, with a minimum of two self-presented concerts with a different repertoire in each season
c. provide evidence of professional artistic leadership (conductors, core players, etc.) in the case of semi-professional orchestras
5. Choral organizations must:
a. provide evidence of professional artistic leadership (conductors, rehearsal pianists section leads, etc.) in the case of choral organizations that include some amateur singers
6. Opera companies must:
a. have production of professional opera as the core mandate
b. produce a minimum of two operas per season in the case of companies that produce standard repertoire
c. undertake workshops each season of operas being developed for future productions in the case companies dedicated to the development and production of new work
7. Music festivals that have core programming that occurs within a concentrated time period
Application Steps:
Applicants must complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this approximately two months before the deadline.
Before applying, applicants must: 1. read the Guide to OAC Operating Programs;
2. read the Guide to OAC Assessment;
3. contact the program officer to discuss eligibility (new applicants only);
4. create or update their profile in Nova;
5. register for an account with CADAC (new applicants only).
Participation in this program is by invitation only. Potential new applicants must contact the program officer at least one month before the deadline to be considered for an invitation.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit completed application, which includes:
1. their answers to the application questions
2. financial and statistical information submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC)
3. financial statements for your organization’s last completed year, uploaded to CADAC
4. artistic examples: audio or video examples.
5. support documents: including organizational structure information, ticket information, brochures.
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice