Because of financial concerns, some musical projects never progress past the “light bulb” stage. So, unsurprisingly, one of the most common questions SOCAN members ask is, “How do I get funding?”

Although we can’t cover everything in one article, here are some representative samples of available grants at the international, national, provincial, and municipal levels.

The SOCAN Foundation – Travel Assistance Grant

Available to composers, songwriters, and music publishers in any genre, this grant offsets travel-related costs for activities that “build or define” your career domestically and internationally. Individual artists, charity or non-charity organizations, and music publishers who represent at least four SOCAN members are eligible for funding for, among other activities, performances, residencies, award presentations, and collaborations. Priority is given to artists who demonstrate that the travel in question is important to their career.

Register at the SOCAN Foundation’s online portal and fill out the application. Be sure to have a letter of confirmation or invitation to the event for which you’re requesting funding, and apply well in advance – it takes up to 10 weeks for results.

Successful applicants can receive one grant per calendar year. Maximum funding amounts are:
$400 (for travel from 201 to 1,000 kilometres);
$600 (1,001 to 2,000 km);
$800 (2,001-5,000 km); and
$1000 (5,000-plus km).

There are no specific current deadline dates, and applications are reviewed quarterly.

FACTOR – Artist Development Grant

Prior to applying, read all of the relevant guidelines to ensure that you’re eligible. Applicants need to be in good standing with FACTOR, and can receive this grant once per fiscal year, and twice in total.

Tips and Recommendations

  • Before you do anything, read everything available about the program, ensure that you’re eligible, and reach out to the organization personally.
  • Give yourself plenty of time, provide accurate information, and ensure that any partners you’ve brought on board are confirmed.
  • Adhere to every requirement religiously: If they want a description in five words, write it in five words. Competition is fierce, and trying to be the exception to any rule, or deviating from what’s required, can take you out of the running.
  • Finally, if at first you don’t succeed, try again. Even solid applications get turned down. If yours is, ask for feedback.

To be eligible you must qualify as a “General Artist,” “Artist 2,” or “Professional Songwriter.” “General” is a default rating for new artists – this is the category into which most applicants fall. “Artist 2” is determined by various criteria, including album sales and streaming numbers. A “Professional Songwriter” is defined as a member of a performing rights organization, like SOCAN, who primarily writes for other artists.

The grant subsidizes up to 75% (up to a $2,000 maximum) of eligible costs for one year of artist development, which includes, touring, recording/video production, marketing/promotion, and other activities.

First-time applicants must create an Artist and Applicant Profile on the FACTOR website before applying. A “General Artist” only needs to fill out the “Mandatory Information” portion of the “Additional Information” section. Previous applicants use their existing profiles, adding any updates necessary.

With the application, you’ll submit an “Assessment Track” (a recent, unreleased demo in .mp3 format, meeting FACTOR’s MAPL Can-Con requirements), lyrics (if applicable), a current bio, and an Artist Development Plan detailing how you plan to use the funding. Additional resources – photos, tour schedules, recommendations, press, etc. – are also welcome, and may bolster your application.

Current deadlines are before midnight, PST, on May 31, 2018; Sept. 27, 2018; and Jan. 31, 2019.

Canada Council for the Arts – Explore & Create: Concept to Realization

As the name implies, this program supports projects by artists, artistic groups, or arts organizations, from beginning to completion. It covers direct costs – including research, development, creation, production and presentation – for a single project (one annual payment) or composite (annual payments over 1-3 years). Composite grants are only available to applicants who’ve received two or more Canada Council grants in the past five years.

If you’re a new applicant, speak to a Canada Council Program Officer. Then register by creating an account and applicant profile at least 30 days before applying. If eligible, you’ll be notified via e-mail within 15 business days. Be ready to provide information about the project, who’s involved, timeline, promotion/execution details, and budget. Additionally, you’ll need to upload a sample of the work in progress, or previous work, and documents confirming any other partners involved, and what support they’re offering.

Total funding available is $100,000 annually (for single projects) or $300,000 annually (for composite projects). Higher amounts may be considered, but many annual payouts hover around $60,000. Applicants may apply twice a year for single grants, but those projects can’t overlap with others funded by the program.

Applications for single projects may be submitted at any time. The annual deadlines for composite projects are April 6 and Sept. 12.

Ontario Arts Council – Music Recording Projects

This grant offers funding for Ontario-based artists or organizations, and supports composers, songwriters, and beat producers recording in two categories: Demo/EP (25 minutes maximum) or full-length album. EPs/Albums must be intended for public release. Demos may or may not be. Before applying, you should be almost, or actually, ready to record.

Successful applicants must have a permanent physical address in Ontario, and may be professional musicians, composers or collectives/organizations. Funding maximums are $5,000 (for a demo/EP), or $12,000 (for an album), and cover anything recording-related, from studio expenses, to manufacturing, to promotion and marketing. See the OAC site for a complete list of eligible expenses.

Read the OAC’s Guides to Project Programs and Assessment, and contact their Program Officer or Administrator directly – e-mail prompts the swiftest response. Then create a profile on OAC’s online application system, Nova. Again, you’ll need to answer a series of questions, provide basic project information, documents confirming other participants (producer/key players, for example), a budget, résumé, bio, and audio or video samples (five minutes maximum).

The 2018 deadlines are 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time May 16 and Nov. 15. Applications are available starting two months before deadlines.

Toronto Arts Council – Music Creation and Audio Recording

To be eligible for this grant, you may be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident (or current applicant), or approved refugee claimant, but must be a practicing, professional music maker, currently (and for the past year) residing in Toronto, who has completed training, whether formal or informal.

The grant subsidizes writing/production of original material in any genre, and consists of three categories: Creation (maximum $5000), Recording – Demo/EP (maximum $4000), Recording – Full-Length (maximum $10,000). Categories vary in terms of eligible costs and activities. Updated guidelines will be available in June of 2018.

First-timers should contact the TAC’s Music Officer prior to applying, to ensure eligibility. Applications are submitted through TAC Grants Online, where you’ll register as an individual or organization.

The 2018 deadline is Sept. 17 at 11:59 p.m.