Ontario Investing in Music Industry During COVID-19
Funding will support recovery and sustainability for the province’s music industry
March 12, 2021
The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million through the Unison Benevolent Fund's COVID-19 Relief Program and the Canadian Live Music Association. This funding will help ensure Ontario's music industry is strong, vibrant and remains a source of pride for the province.
Details were provided today by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
"Ontario's music industry provides thousands of jobs for musicians, stage and touring technicians, venue staff, agents and many others working behind the scenes," said Minister MacLeod. "That's why it's important to support individual musicians and local communities, so they can continue to meet their financial obligations, obtain and create sustainable opportunities, and plan for their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."
Unison Benevolent Fund will receive a one-time grant of up to $2 million to immediately support individual musicians and industry workers, many of whom have lost their sources of income during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unison Benevolent Fund's COVID-19 Relief Program provides direct emergency financial assistance to members of the industry to cover necessary costs so they can continue to enrich our communities through music.
The Canadian Live Music Association will receive a one-time grant of up to $500,000 to support local communities that wish to develop and implement music city strategies in a post-COVID-19 economy. A music city is a community of any size with a vibrant music economy, where municipal governments, music stakeholders and community members work together to help artists and music businesses reach their full potential. This co-operation offers a range of benefits, including economic growth, job creation, tax revenue and cultural development.
"Ontario's music industry provides thousands of jobs for musicians, stage and touring technicians, venue staff, agents and many others working behind the scenes," said Minister MacLeod. "That's why it's important to support individual musicians and local communities, so they can continue to meet their financial obligations, obtain and create sustainable opportunities, and plan for their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."
Unison Benevolent Fund will receive a one-time grant of up to $2 million to immediately support individual musicians and industry workers, many of whom have lost their sources of income during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unison Benevolent Fund's COVID-19 Relief Program provides direct emergency financial assistance to members of the industry to cover necessary costs so they can continue to enrich our communities through music.
The Canadian Live Music Association will receive a one-time grant of up to $500,000 to support local communities that wish to develop and implement music city strategies in a post-COVID-19 economy. A music city is a community of any size with a vibrant music economy, where municipal governments, music stakeholders and community members work together to help artists and music businesses reach their full potential. This co-operation offers a range of benefits, including economic growth, job creation, tax revenue and cultural development.
Quick Facts
- In May 2020, the government invested $7 million to support Ontario’s music sector through the Ontario Music Investment Fund.
- From April to June 2020, the Minister’s COVID-19 Music Advisory Council provided valuable information and innovative approaches to help Ontario’s music sector emerge and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Resources:
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
- Find out more about the Unison Benevolent Fund.
- Read more about the Canadian Live Music Association.