Music Projects

Application deadlines: March 4 and August 1, 2024

For questions about this program, contact Christy DiFelice, Program Manager, Music


What does this program support?

The Music Projects program provides funding to professional, non-profit music organizations and collectives to pursue one-time or time-limited music projects involving production, presentation, dissemination and/or other activities that contribute to the development of music in Toronto. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council. The Music Program is strongly committed to the development and performance of works by Canadian artists.

The maximum grant available in this program is $15,000. The TAC Music Projects program will fund up to 50% of the project budget. Applicants may receive less than the full amount requested. The budget must indicate a range of revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services. Expenses can include: artist fees, production and technical fees, marketing and outreach costs, administrative costs, childcare costs, etc. This program requires the payment of artist fees at or above industry standards.

Due to potential public health restrictions, social distancing rules and venue closures, works taking place on digital platforms are eligible.

TAC Accessibility Grant

Projects involving Deaf artists and artists with disabilities may apply for an additional TAC grant by completing the Accessibility Expenses section of the application and including the requisite information in their budget. A TAC Accessibility grant will provide up to a maximum of $5,000 towards accessibility costs for artists incurred during the project. Accessibility costs include but are not limited to: ASL interpretation, audio description, closed captioning, communications assistants, attendant care (including helpers for Elders), support workers and equipment rentals or other supports required to meet artists’ accessibility needs).

When can the project happen?

  • Applications submitted to the February deadline should be for projects taking place after June 1 and applications submitted to the August deadline should be for projects taking place after November 1.
  • If you wish to apply to an earlier deadline, in order to give you extra planning time for your project, please note that all projects must be completed within two years of the date on the Notification Letter.
  • TAC does not fund retroactively. Projects that have commenced prior to the assessment will not be considered.

Who can apply?

If you are a first-time applicant or have questions related to your project’s eligibility, please contact the Music Program Manager.

  • Applicants must be incorporated non-profit organizations or unincorporated collectives operating on a not-for-profit basis.
  • A collective is defined as two or more artists, curators or programmers working together under a group name, either on a single project or on an ongoing basis.
  • For collectives of two artists, both must be City of Toronto residents. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must be City of Toronto residents
  • Organizations and collectives must be located in the City of Toronto. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet this requirement. Organizations with a regional Toronto office must have operated in the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the deadline.
  • The activity for which the funding is requested must occur within the City of Toronto.
  • Artists must be professional. A professional artist is someone who has developed their skills through training and/or practice; is recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic tradition; actively practices their art; seeks payment for their work; and has a history of public presentation.
  • Community Music-based organizations/collectives must be led by professional artistic leadership.
  • TAC recognizes that due to systemic barriers within the broader arts community (e.g. limited mainstream presentation opportunities for artists from equity-seeking communities) that some flexibility may be required in interpreting eligibility criteria to take into account equivalent professional experience and contexts. Potential applicants from equity-seeking communities are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with the Program Manager in advance of submitting an application.
  • Applicants may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Music program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs. Grant recipients must submit a final report on their previous Music project before submitting a new application to the program. However, TAC offers other types of granting opportunities through its Strategic Initiatives and you may be eligible to apply to one of these programs. Please consult TAC’s website for other granting opportunities. 

This program does not fund:

  • Projects that have been started or completed prior to the announcement of results. Toronto Arts Council does not fund retroactively
  • Organizations/collectives that receive Toronto Arts Council operating support
  • Ongoing operating costs, such as permanent staff salaries and general administration of an organization. This program is not intended to support an organization or collective’s ongoing activities. For information about Annual Operating funding, please contact TAC’s Music Program Manager
  • Educational and religious institutions, unless there is a clear demarcation at both the program and budget level between their regular activities and their arts activities
  • Schools that are part of Ontario’s public or private education system
  • Costs related to equipment purchase, capital projects (such as building purchase or renovation), fundraising activities, deficit reduction, publishing and archiving projects, awards and award ceremonies, projects conceived for the creation of a film or for competitive purposes, art therapy
  • Individuals; the creation, composition or recording of individual music works
  • Activities taking place outside of the City of Toronto (such as touring, travel, accommodations)
  • Music Videos and projects conceived for the creation of a film or digital works led by media artists
  • Professional Development and/education

How Do I Apply?

Applicants register and submit the application on TAC Grants Online (https://tac.smartsimple.ca). Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on the deadline dates. TAC does not accept applications by any other means of delivery. You will receive a confirmation email when your application is submitted. Check your spam/junk mail folder if it doesn’t arrive in your in-box.

Please download the full Program Guidelines for complete program details and application specifics. ​

Application Accessibility Support for Deaf Persons or Persons with Disabilities

Applicants who are Deaf or have a disability and need support to complete their grant applications can apply for funds to cover the costs of assistance from Application Support Service Providers. Up to $500 is available per eligible applicant in each calendar year. Please contact your Grant Program Manager at least
six weeks before the grant program deadline to determine eligibility, request application support funding, and to review the process for payment to be made to your Service Provider. Requests for application support require approval from the Grant Program Manager.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Christy DiFelice (she/her), Program Manager, Music:
christy[at]torontoartscouncil[dot]org, 416-392-6802 extension 202


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