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Grants, Subsidies and Contributions - Arts and Media
Table of Contents
Introduction
General Arts
Film and Television
Music
Publishing
Festivals
Next Steps
Introduction
If you are starting or running an arts or media business, this guide can help you learn about the federal and provincial government financing options available in Ontario.
An arts or media business can include any of the following fields:
- Illustration, painting and photography
- Radio and television production
- Online media production
- Dance
- Theatre and film
- Video games
For general financing options that are available to businesses in Ontario, you can use the Canada Business financing search, refer to our financing guides or contact us directly through the Business Info Line.
Search online:
Find Government Grants, Loans and Financing
Read Online:
Financing a Business Guide
Contact us through the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888
You can also contact your local municipal office for information on financing and support that may be available for your area. You can find the number for your municipality on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.
Read online:
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
General Arts
The following organizations provide support and financing to the arts industry in general.
Ontario Media Development Corporation
You may be eligible for funding, tax credits, and arts related resources if your business falls under one of the following categories: book publishing, magazine publishing, film and television, interactive digital media or music.
Contact the Ontario Media Development Corporation:
1-800-560-0695
Ontario Media Development Corporation
Canada Council for the Arts
If you are a professional artist, you may receive grants, endowments or prizes to help with various project costs, including production, travel and residency costs. Arts collectives and other Canadian arts organizations may also be eligible for grants from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Contact the Canada Council for the Arts:
1-800-263-5588
Canada Council for the Arts – Grant Programs
Ontario Arts Council
As an Ontario artist, you may be eligible for funding to cover your operating expenses. Arts groups may also be eligible for funding.
Contact the Ontario Arts Council:
1-800-387-0058
Ontario Arts Council
Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture
You may qualify for government funding and operating grants from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture if you run an arts or cultural group, or if you are a member of a creative industry. You can access a list of the available programs on the ministry’s website.
Contact the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture:
1-866-700-0040
Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture – Funding and Awards
Film and Television
The following financing programs and tax incentives apply to Canadian film and television businesses. The eligibility criteria vary for each program.
Telefilm Canada - Canada Feature Film Fund
If you produce Canadian feature films, funding may be available to help you cover your development, production and marketing costs. To be eligible, your company must be a Canadian-owned and controlled corporation with its head office based in Canada.
Contact Telefilm Canada:
1-800-463-4607
Canada Feature Film Fund
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
You may receive a tax credit to cover 16% of the salary and wages of Canadian permanent residents who worked on film or video production in Canada. Taxable Canadian corporations or foreign-owned corporations with a permanent base in Canada may be eligible for this tax credit.
Contact Canadian Heritage (Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office):
1-888-433-2200
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit
If your Canadian-controlled corporation is established in Ontario and files an Ontario corporate tax return, you could qualify for a tax credit based on labour expenses for your Ontario film and television production. The producer must also have been an Ontario resident, for tax purposes, for the two years prior to beginning production.
Contact the Ontario Media Development Corporation:
1-800-560-0695
Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit
Ontario Production Services Tax Credit
You may be entitled to a tax credit based on your film or video production costs. Your business must be an incorporated production company with a permanent business location in Ontario.
Contact the Ontario Media Development Corporation:
1-800-560-0695
Ontario Production Services Tax Credit
Music
The following financing programs and tax incentives apply to Canadian musicians, composers, managers and producers. The eligibility criteria vary for each program.
Canada Music Fund
You may qualify for funding to create and promote Canadian music in the international marketplace. The fund has five components, including the MUSICACTION and FACTOR programs mentioned below. Generally, funding is for Canadian organizations and artists.
Contact Canadian Heritage:
1-866-811-0055
Canada Music Fund
MUSICACTION
As a Canadian musician, music publisher or recording artist manager in the French-language music industry, you may be eligible for up to $50,000to produce, promote and develop your musical work.
Contact MUSICACTION:
1-800-861-5561
MUSICACTION (French only)
FACTOR
If you are a songwriter, composer, music publisher or recording artist manager in the English language recording industry, you may get up to $50,000 for business development, promotion and support. FACTOR funding is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and Canadian businesses.
Contact FACTOR:
1-877-696-2215
FACTOR
Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit
You could qualify for a 20% refundable tax credit for expenses related to the production of a sound recording or music video. You may be eligible if you operate a sound recording business that is incorporated and Canadian-controlled.
Contact the Ontario Media Development Corporation:
1-800-560-0695
Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit
Publishing
The following financing programs and tax incentives apply to Canadian publishers. The eligibility criteria vary for each program.
Canada Book Fund
Your Canadian-owned and controlled book publishing house could be eligible for funding to assist with the production, marketing and distribution of Canadian books. Support is also available for literary organizations and associations.
Contact Canadian Heritage:
1-866-811-0055
Canada Book Fund
Canada Periodical Fund
If you have a Canadian magazine or non-daily newspaper business, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help expand into new markets and promote Canadian periodicals.
The fund has three components: Aid to Publishers, Business Innovation, and Collective Initiatives. Your organization must be majority Canadian-owned and controlled. In some circumstances your business must be incorporated. Consult the application guides for more information on eligibility requirements.
Contact Canadian Heritage:
1-800-641-9221
Canada Periodical Fund
Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit
You may be entitled to a 30% refundable tax credit, to a maximum of $30,000 per literary work, if you publish or promote work by a Canadian author. Your organization must be a Canadian-controlled corporation that operates in Ontario and files an Ontario corporate tax return.
Contact the Ontario Media Development Corporation:
1-800-560-0695
Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit
Festivals
The following financing programs and tax incentives apply to Canadian arts festivals. The eligibility criteria vary for each program.
Festivals Performance Program / Skills and Screens Program
If your film festival has 100,000 attendees or more, you could be eligible for financial support to help with promotions, marketing strategies and professional development activities. Your organization must be a Canadian-owned and controlled company that operates in Canada.
Contact Telefilm Canada:
1-800-463-4607
Festivals Performance Program / Skills and Screens Program
Canada Arts Presentation Fund
You could be eligible for financial and administrative support to present an arts event or festival that promotes Canadian art. To qualify, your organization must be a Canadian, not-for-profit corporation.
Contact Canadian Heritage:
1-866-811-0055
Canada Arts Presentation Fund
You may also contact your local industry association or broadcaster to enquire about private funding possibilities.
Next Steps
For other information that relates to starting your business, you can read the following guides:
- Business Planning
- Market Research and Statistics
- Starting Your Business
- Grants and Financing
- Taxation Guide
- Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring
Additional resources that may be of interest to you include:
- Arts and Artists Guide
- How to Start an Artisan and Craft Business in Ontario
- Business Start-Up Guide
You can also find books, magazines and other relevant print material at business service organizations in your community. To locate a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) community partner, contact us through the Business Info Line at 1-888-745-8888.
Need more information?
Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you
Disclaimers
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.
Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.
