Music in Hamilton

• Hamilton Arts Council - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamilton Arts Council (HAC) presents the Hamilton Artist Relief Fund and Online Performance Series. The Hamilton Artist Relief Fund is focused on raising and distributing emergency relief funds for artists struggling during this difficult time and providing a curated online platform for local artists to present and perform to a virtual audience. 100% of the donations collected for the Relief Fund will be distributed directly to artists in need. 
  • Are you a practicing artist in need of support? Relief funding can be accessed through a simple application form. Please submit your CV and a declaration of artistic projects and earnings lost due to the pandemic. Relief fund amounts start at $100 to a maximum of $1,000 based on individual needs. Apply for relief.
• AFC is accepting applications from people in the entertainment industry to receive financial assistance. Learn more about the criteria and to apply.
• Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grants provides financial assistance for seriously ill entertainment technology professionals in the U.S. and Canada.
• Canadian Artist + Musician Relief Fund (CAMRF) program will see funds will go directly to the artists to counter any lost income incurred as a result of any cancelled jobs, gigs, and illnesses.
• Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund is for Canadian writers and visual artists facing lost income due to the pandemic. There is on-going submission deadline.
• CBC Creative Relief Fund to provide $2 million in development and production funding support to Canadian creators spanning over three different streams: innovation stream, playwright pilot stream, and short docs stream.
• CBC and Canada Council for the Arts Digital Originals is a new $1 million fund to help artists, groups and arts organizations pivot their work to online audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creators can apply for a maximum of $5000 in funding per project, a selection of which will be curated and digitally showcased by CBC/Radio-Canada.
• The Crew Nation Fund is here to help support live music crews who have been directly impacted as shows are put on pause due to COVID-19. Apply for financial assistance from the Crew Nation fund.
• The David Seguin Memorial Award - Promotes accessibility in the arts by providing support to artists with disabilities. The DSMA Special Initiative in Response to COVID-19 will use 2020’s award to provide immediate support to artists with disabilities through $100 micro-grants to artists with disabilities in order to help them cover basic living expenses, such as rent and groceries.
• Encore! A program launched by SOCAN that compensates music creators and publishers for their invaluable work and aims to pay musicians for live online concerts on Facebook and Instagram. In order to qualify for a payment, there are four key requirements artists must meet.
• Facebook Small Business Grants Program for businesses disrupted by the pandemic. The company is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to keep people employed, help with rent and operational costs, and connect with more customers.
• Glad Day Lit has supported 350 LGBTQ2S artists, performers, and tip-based workers and is planning to support 500.
• Members of the Canadian Federation of Musicians union can also apply for relief from the Petrillo Memorial Fund, which offers assistant to those unable to work due to physical or mental disability (which includes sickness from COVID 19).
• Ontario Creates has added additional deadline dates for their funding programs due to COVID – 19. Opportunities for funding is available in the following areas; Book Fund, (Export) Book Fund, Magazine Fund, IDMF – Global Market, Film Fund – Production and Export Fund (Film & Television). For more information contact Ontario Creates.
• Ontario Live presents: Music Together - Applicants can apply for $1,000 in emergency relief funding to play a livestream show to engage your fans and earn new ones.
• Ownr Grants by RBC Ventures is a newly-established $25,000 fund to help Canadian small business owners get started during these unprecedented times. Individual grants of up to $1,000 each will be awarded to existing businesses that serve or have pivoted to serve the needs of Canadians impacted by COVID-19, or to help new businesses get started.
• Unison COVID-19 Relief Program: The Unison Benevolent Fund and The Slaight Family Foundation have launched the Unison COVID19 Relief Program for those whose work in the Canadian music industry has been impacted and require assistance, please REGISTER for Unison’s services.  Funding will be allocated towards housing costs, medical expenses, and groceries for those in the music industry across Canada. For more information please contact the Unison office
  • Phone 1-855-986-4766, ext. 3
  • Email [email protected].
  • Woodcock Fund Grant is a grant provides emergency funds for writers’ mid-project.

• Ontario Arts Council: COVID-19 Updates 
• Canada Council for the Arts: Information for Canada Council for the Arts grant recipients and applicants whose funded projects are impacted by COVID-19.
• Ontario Trillium Foundation: An update on OTF customer service supports during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Ontario Creates: (supports musicians, film and writers) Updates on funding programs, tax credits, and other services available.
• The Writers' Union of Canada: Document your economic losses from the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Canadian Heritage Funding (CHF): Information about CHF funding status.

Public Health Organizations are the most trusted sources of information for COVID-19. Please follow their recommendations.

• City of Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS)
• Province of Ontario Ministry of Health
• Public Health Ontario
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization