New Music Program: Project Funding
Deadline
15 March
Program Description
This Canada Council for the Arts program provides financial assistance to professional Canadian ensembles, performing groups, soloists, producers, presenters and non-profit organizations devoted to the development and presentation of new music. The music must be presented in public venues and before a live audience.
Eligible forms of new music are not defined by specific aesthetic categories, but all applicants should be aware that the nature of the program is to support groundbreaking musical creation in a diversity of innovative approaches, as well as risk-taking in the overall development of the art form.
Some of the common forms of new music include (but are not limited to) the following:
- contemporary classical
- musique actuelle
- free improvisation
- electroacoustic / acousmatic
- audio art / sound art
- sound installation
- turntable art
This program offers assistance through four components assessed jointly:
- Standard Project Grants
- Special Project Grants
- Solo Project Grants
- Music in Alternative Spaces Grants
The New Music Program: Project Funding contributes to specific costs related to particular programs, events or special initiatives proposed by applicants. A project is defined as a specific and concentrated event or activity - taking place in a short, limited period - with a clearly delineated budget.
Seasons of activities or concert seasons are not eligible for support through this program.

Eligibility
Professional Canadian ensembles, performing groups, collectives, soloists, producers, curators, presenters and non-profit organizations devoted to the development of new music and its presentation are eligible to apply for support. The music must be presented before live audiences in public venues, and all events supported through this program must be ticketed.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Groups may not apply to both the Concert Production and Rehearsal Program and the New Music Program.
This Canada Council for the Arts program is accessible to Aboriginal artists or arts organizations and artists or arts organizations from diverse cultural and regional communities of Canada.
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects include:
- self-produced events in the applicant's city or town of residence. Self-produced means that the applicant truly acts as the programmer of the event and is mainly responsible for the operational framework of the presentation (co-productions are eligible if they meet this specific definition)
- or ensembles or performing groups, rehearsals in preparation for a particular event, as well as rehearsals to incorporate new works into their repertoire
Applicants must also refer to the specific component guidelines for additional eligibility information.
Grant Amount
Project funding is available annually, and each request is subject to peer committee assessment. It is not guaranteed, ongoing yearly support.
There are limited funds available for this program, and each component offers a maximum of $20,000.
Grants from this program may cover specific artistic, production and promotional costs. They may not be used to support the applicant’s organizational structure or overall activities.
Retroactive funding is not available.

Application Form
New Music Program: Project Funding (pdf format)
This form can only be printed and cannot be filled out on-line.

Further Information
Aimé Dontigny
Music Section
Canada Council for the Arts
350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa ON K1P 5V8
Telephone: 1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or (613) 566-4414, ext. 5111
TTY : 1-866-585-5559
January 2010