Back
Deadline: June 11, 2026
Program Summary:
Program Intent:
The intent of the Collective Initiatives program is to support projects which align with FACTOR’s mandate to “help Canadian artist entrepreneurs, artists represented by Canadian-owned and -controlled companies or industry professionals working within the Canadian-owned and -controlled sector to gain a greater profile, increase artist/business skills, and build export readiness and competitiveness.”
Program Overview:
The program includes four components, each encompassing a range of eligible projects and activities. Activities Include Conferences, workshops, national award shows, festivals, music showcases, export missions, initiatives to improve the visibility and accessibility of Canadian Music on markets and digital platforms, skills development sessions and industry research. Every event or initiative funded under this program must be collective in nature, meaning that it is intended to benefit multiple artists or music entrepreneurs. Projects cannot predominantly benefit any one artist, company, or enterprise. Applications for events or projects will be considered for funding provided they help Canadian and/or Indigenous artist-entrepreneurs, artists represented by Canadian-owned and -controlled firms or industry professionals in the Canadian-owned and -controlled sector.
- Industry Events
- Showcase Production for Export-Ready Artists
- Showcase Production for Artists from Official Language Minority Communities
- Festival Support
Successful projects create new market development results for participating Canadian artists and music entrepreneurs. Expected results might include the following:
- The creation of opportunities to access new markets or further expand into existing ones;
- The increased awareness of participant artists and companies by consumers and industry personnel;
- Increased revenue potential for participants;
- Opportunities for artists to build their support teams and business networks; and
- Events and initiatives that provide Canadian artists and music entrepreneurs with the business skills, know-how and tools to succeed in a global and digital environment.
Component Intent:
The Festival Support component is aimed at supporting Canadian-owned live music companies presenting festivals featuring Canadian artists. This program and its investments will allow these companies to take on the additional risk of presenting festivals across Canada and promoting them effectively to help build audiences for Canadian artists.
In keeping with the objective of fostering an environment where “a diversity of Canadian music artists connecting with audiences everywhere”, the Festival Support program will give added consideration to applications from Canadian music companies that present festivals that promote new Canadian artists, Indigenous artists, and Canadian artists from priority groups: 2SLGBTQIA+ community, women, racialized persons, and persons with a disability.
Priority will be given to festivals outside of Quebec given they will continue to have access to the Collective Initiative-OLMC component.
Eligible Activities:
- Festivals must occur within Canada. A music festival is defined as a community event that typically features a series of performances by multiple emerging and established artists that occur over a series of consecutive dates.
- Festivals whose line up has a minimum of 51% Canadian artists and/or groups.
- Festivals occurring from April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Grant Amount:
Funding under this component is 50% of the total eligible budget. The amount of funding provided shall be proportionate to the scope, reach, and impact of the project and is subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible Applicants:
Who Can Apply:
- Incorporated companies
- Not-for-profit associations
Applicants must be Canadian-owned and controlled. Not-for-profit associations must be governed by a majority Canadian Board of Directors, membership must be 50% Canadian or greater, and their principal business purpose is central to the career development of Canadian music artists.
Applicants must have a reviewed and approved profile including 2 years of financial statements.
Applicants must have a reviewed and approved profile with 3 years of financial statements, including the most recent fiscal year.
The event or project must have been operating for at least two years prior to the date of application; or, for new or first-time projects, the Applicant must show at least two years of significant and related experience necessary to undertake a project of that nature.