Toronto’s film, music, and creative technology (video games, immersive, XR, esports) industries contribute greatly to Toronto’s economy and help reinforce the city’s status as a creative leader on a global scale. To support growth in these creative industries, the City of Toronto offers grants and sponsorships that make pathways to employment more accessible, expand business opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and showcase Toronto’s industries to engage residents, visitors and the world.
The following funding is focused on supporting music initiatives that align with the Toronto Music Strategy and/or the Action Plan for Toronto’s Culture. Applications are considered for cross-sectoral projects with relevance to other sectors (e.g., film, digital technology, gaming, etc.) alongside music. Apply to the most relevant stream for your initiative. Ensure the language in the application highlights how the project applies across sectors.
| Contact the relevant industry sector office for questions or concerns regarding timelines. | |
| Eligible Project Start Dates | Deadline to Apply |
|---|---|
| April 1 to December 31 | February 1 |
| July 1 to December 31 | May 1 |
| October 1 to December 31 | August 1 |
| January 1 to June 30 (of the following year) | November 15 |
After submitting an application, you may be asked by staff for additional information. Staff may also suggest that you re-submit application for a later intake period for consideration.
Grants are small with most music funding issued for less than $5,000. For sector development grants, higher amounts may be considered if the initiative is ongoing or has a significant impact on the sector. If your project or event is larger in scope and requires more significant funding, please contact the Music Office at music@toronto.ca to discuss the project and possible support from these or other funds.
For creative and artistic works, find other music-related grants.
If your organization is producing an event that advances sector development for Toronto’s creative industries, the City of Toronto may be able to support through sponsorship.
Events must prioritize supporting the growth of creative industries as a primary goal and must serve companies or individuals based in Toronto.
Through this stream, events that focus the following will be prioritized:
Organizations must:
Projects focused on an individual artist’s career or on a single organization’s business expenses are not eligible. For example:
Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.
Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.
Suggested metrics:
Submit an application online below. Applications are considered several times throughout the year. All applications must be submitted through the online portal.
Depending on application volume and project timelines, complete applications may be deferred to a subsequent intake for consideration.
After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.
Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:
The City receives logo presence at all sponsored events and other recognition as appropriate.
Sector Development Grants support projects, services or initiatives that build capacity and create opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, their businesses and the sector as a whole.
These grants also support initiatives that showcase Toronto’s creative industries, accelerating routes to commercialization and financial sustainability.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Organizations must:
Projects focused on an individual artist’s career or on a single organization’s business expenses are not eligible. For example:
Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.
Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.
Suggested metrics:
Submit an application online below. Applications are considered several times throughout the year. All applications must be submitted through the online portal.
Depending on application volume and project timelines, complete applications may be deferred to a subsequent intake for consideration.
After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.
Apply for Sector Development Grant
Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:
Skills Development Grants support initiatives that build practical skills in trades, crafts or technical skills for which there are existing labour gaps.
Initiatives must support employment readiness for individuals, matching skills to high-demand roles in creative sectors. These grants often, but not exclusively, support the work of not-for-profit community groups led by and/or serving historically underrepresented groups and the programs they offer to build bridges to employment in creative industries.
Training offered may include segments related to professional/life skills. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Organizations must:
Projects focused on an individual artist’s career or on a single organization’s business expenses are not eligible. For example:
Be prepared to describe in detail how the outcome/impact of your initiative will be measured and the metrics you intend to provide to the City if funded.
Accountability criteria will be included in the funding agreement for each successful grant applicant. The metrics must be tracked throughout the initiative and reported at its conclusion to receive the final grant payment.
Suggested metrics:
Submit an application online below. Applications are considered several times throughout the year. All applications must be submitted through the online portal.
Depending on application volume and project timelines, complete applications may be deferred to a subsequent intake for consideration.
Only one application per program or event will be considered for each calendar year.
After your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the related sector office if clarification or additional information is desired. Decisions will generally be communicated within four weeks and decisions are final.
Apply for Skills Development Grant
Priority is given to organizations that can demonstrate the following criteria:
All initiatives or events receiving either a grant or sponsorship must comply with the City’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies.