Are you a musician, composer, or audio artist living in Toronto with a passion for creating and recording original music? The Toronto Arts Council (TAC) Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant Program 2025 offers vital funding opportunities to help artists bring their musical visions to life. Whether you’re in the early stages of songwriting or looking to record a full-length album, this program provides financial support tailored to the needs of emerging and established artists across all musical genres.
Applications for the 2025 grant program close on September 2, 2025. This is your chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding to support your music creation or recording project.
What Is the Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant?
The Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant is designed to assist professional Toronto-based music artists in the creation, writing, and production of original music. The program supports new music projects in any genre, from classical and jazz to hip-hop, pop, world, and experimental sound.
While the program does not fund touring, travel, or professional development expenses, it does provide essential financial assistance for the creative and production stages of your music career.
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Three Grant Categories Available in 2025:
Depending on where you are in your project, you can apply under one of the following categories:
1. Creation Grant – Up to $5,000:
This grant is ideal for musicians who are in the writing or composition phase of a new project. It supports:
• Artist fees for yourself and collaborators to write and compose new music.• Preparation costs like copying and preparing sheet music or performance parts.
• Recording costs, but only if they are directly related to the creation process.
• This grant is best suited for artists focused on developing new material from scratch.
• It is not intended to fund full-scale recording, publishing, or distribution.
2. Recording Grant – Demo/EP – Up to $4,000:
This funding supports short-form audio recordings that may be used to showcase your work to:
• Record labels.• Music festivals.
• Presenters.
• Funders.
• Your audience through limited or online releases.
Eligible expenses include:
• Professional studio costs (cannot be your own home studio).• Mixing, editing, and mastering (by professionals other than yourself).
• Design, packaging, and manufacturing costs (up to 500 units).
• Website design and online media management (up to $500).
Important: You cannot pay yourself any fees under this grant. It also does not cover the writing or composition of new music.
3. Recording Grant – Full-Length Album – Up to $10,000:
Designed for artists ready to record a full-length album, this grant supports extensive production in professional studios. It’s ideal for artists seeking to launch a professionally produced album to a broader audience. Eligible costs include:
• Studio rental and professional production costs.
• Mixing, editing, and mastering.
• Guest musician and producer fees (not self-produced).
• Packaging, design, and manufacturing (up to 1,000 units).
• Online media and website costs (up to $1,000).
Note: A small portion of work may occur in a home-based studio, but these costs are not eligible under this category. Additionally, you may not pay yourself artist fees under this grant.
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What You Can’t Use the Grant For:
The following expenses are not eligible under any of the categories:
• Touring or travel costs.• Fees paid to yourself in Demo/EP or Full-Length Recording categories.
• Projects solely focused on manufacturing or web design.
• Work submitted as part of academic coursework (for students).
• Costs incurred in your own home studio (in most categories).
Who Can Apply?
To apply for any of these music grants, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or have an application pending for Permanent Resident status.• Be a current resident of Toronto, having lived in the city for at least one year before the application date.
• Be 18 years or older.
Be a professional artist, defined as someone who:
• Has developed their skills through training or practice.
• Is recognized by peers in their discipline.
• Seeks income from their work.
• Has a history of public presentation or distribution.
Additional Eligibility Guidelines:
• Undergraduate students are not eligible to apply.• Graduate students may apply, but not for work related to their degree.
• Artists must apply as individuals, though they can collaborate on projects.
• For collaborations, one artist must act as the principal applicant.
• T4A forms and grant payments will be issued only to the principal applicant.
Can a Band or Ensemble Apply?
While the program does not accept applications from groups, bands and ensembles may still apply through an individual member. It is recommended that the lead artist or primary composer submit the application on behalf of the group. If awarded, the grant will be issued to the individual applicant, and all tax documentation will be made in their name.
Tips for a Strong Application:
To increase your chances of being selected, consider the following:
• Describe your project goals and how the grant will help you achieve them.• Make sure it aligns with the eligible expenses for your chosen category.
• Include past work samples and explain your impact on the Toronto music scene.
• Late applications are not accepted, so submit on time.
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How to Apply for the TAC Music Grant Program 2025?
To apply for the Toronto Arts Council Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant 2025 step-by-step application process is:
• Create or log into your TAC Grants Online account.
• Select the relevant grant category: Creation, Demo/EP, or Full-Length Recording.
• Fill in your project proposal, detailing your artistic vision and timeline.
• Include your project budget (note: do not include self-payment in recording categories).
• Submit all required supporting materials, such as audio samples or links.
• Submit the application before the deadline that is September 2, 2025.
Conclusion:
The Toronto Arts Council Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant Program 2025 is an excellent opportunity for musicians in Toronto to receive critical funding for their creative projects. Whether you’re crafting new songs, producing a demo, or preparing for a major album release, TAC’s support can help take your music to the next level. With up to $10,000 in grant funding, professional musicians can invest in the tools, collaborators, and production quality needed to share their work with the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to apply your music deserves to be heard. So to apply and know more visit the Toronto Arts Council Music Creation & Audio Recording Grant Program 2025 official link here.