Application Deadline: April 7, 2025
For questions about this program, contact Christy DiFelice, Program Manager, Music
What does this program support?
Toronto Arts Council’s Community Music Making program recognizes the role that non-professional music organizations play in creating a dynamic and culturally engaged City. This program provides funding to support the Toronto-based annual programming of non-profit community choirs, opera, orchestras, and ensembles that are committed to building community through music making processes such as creation, workshops, concert production, and other related activities. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council.
The Music Program seeks to support a diverse range of musical forms with a high priority given to applicants that demonstrate a commitment to the performance of works by Canadian composers. First time applicants must speak to the Program Manager prior to submitting an application: applications are accepted by invitation.
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply to the Community Music Making program, an organization must:
- be non-profit;
- be governed by a Board of Directors or other body responsible for the organization;
- be located in the City of Toronto and have a significant portion of its activities occurring within the City;
- have an annual operating budget of less than $150,000;
- conduct music activities on an annual, ongoing basis either throughout the year or on a seasonal basis;
- have previously received a minimum three project grants through TAC’s music program;
- produce a minimum of two self-presented concerts with different repertoire in each season (self-presented means that the organization takes responsibility for planning, production and ticket selling);
- pay artist fees to professional1 artistic leadership;
- submit verification of financial results of the last completed fiscal year:
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for requests of $30,000 or less, if annual operating revenues are $100,000 or more, a review engagement is required, (or, if available, audited financial statements);
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for requests of $30,000 or less, if annual operating revenues are under $100,000, unaudited financial statements that include a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenses is required, (or, if available, audited financial statements or a review engagement);
- actively engage community members, and contribute to building community through music making processes beyond concert presentation (e.g., rehearsals, workshops, masterclasses, retreats, etc).
The following are not eligible to apply to this program:
- Professional Organizations that receive funding through any TAC discipline program;
- Community music organizations with budgets greater than $150,000;
- Community music schools, presenters/producers and/or festivals.
Organizations may receive only one grant per calendar year through the Music program and may not apply to other TAC discipline programs. However, TAC offers other types of granting opportunities through its Strategic Initiatives envelope, and organizations receiving funding through the Community Music Making program may be eligible to apply to one of these programs. Please consult TAC’s website for other granting opportunities. Applicants to the Community Music Making program may receive a maximum of one additional grant per calendar year and must submit a final report on that project before applying to another program in the Strategic Initiatives envelope.
How do I apply?
First time applicants must speak to the Program Manager prior to submitting an application: applications are accepted by invitation.
Applicants are required to register at TAC Grants Online (https://tac.smartsimple.ca) and submit the Community Music Making application and all required support material using this online grants management system.
Applications must be submitted on TAC Grants Online no later than 11:59 pm on the deadline day. 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
[1] 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.
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