The Ontario Music Fund was officially launched today, which will help support create jobs in Ontario’s music industry, and position the province as a leading destination to record and perform. The announcement was made by the Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, at Revolution Recordings studio in Toronto. 

As per the release, the new fund will support Ontario-based music companies and music production and distribution through four streams: 

• Music Company Development – Helps Ontario-based music companies increase recording, production and marketing, which boosts sales of music and supports job creation.
• Music Industry Development – Provides support for initiatives such as digital innovation, music training and new approaches to increase home-grown music exports.
• Music Futures– Helps leverage Ontario’s diverse and emerging music industry by supporting small music companies and artist entrepreneurs, for example those who create music and also handle the business and promotion of their music.
• Live Music– Helps increase the number of live music events in the province and generates more opportunities for new and emerging local artists — boosting tourism and growing local economies.

“Our government is proud to partner with our music industry through the new Ontario Music Fund that will capitalize on our infrastructure, critical mass and competitive edge to drive economic growth and jobs,” said Minister Chan. “Home to the largest and most diverse music industry in the nation, we are committed to amplifying our success on the world stage and place Ontario on the map as a cultural and creative capital.”

“Music is a superpower that’s primed and ready to perform for Ontario. It’s a smart investment given the globally competitive advantage we have in the recorded and live music sectors,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “Research has shown that targeted support for music will pay off with enormous dividends including job growth, increased investment, tourism and the transformation of Ontario into one of the recording capitals of the world. As we in the music community like to say, music can help.”

Applications for the Ontario Music Fund are open now, and can be made through the OMDC Online Application Portal at https://apply.omdc.on.ca/. Applications may be submitted on an ongoing basis until January 31, 2014.

At today’s event, Kim Cooke, owner of Revolution Recordings, introduced Minister Chan, saying it’s “important to acknowledge Minister Chan and his staff. In tough times, with a major workload and competing demands, he has fought hard for the cultural sector and embraced the Ontario Music Fund file with vigour.” 

“Ontario has proven itself as a powerhouse competitor with other jurisdictions across a wide range of creative industries. The Ontario Music Fund will help us to build an even stronger music industry in the province and to ensure that our music continues to reach global audiences,” said Kevin Shea, Chair, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC).

Artists Kardinal Offishall and Ladies of the Canyon were on hand for today’s announcement, as well as a wide range of industry stakeholders, including representatives from Music Canada, the Canadian Independent Music Association, The JUNO Awards, Polaris Music Prize, Music Managers Forum, and all of Canada’s major record labels.