Ottawa, ON – November 28, 2024 The Government of Ontario has announced the continuation of its support for festivals and events through the Experience Ontario 2025 program. This multimillion-dollar initiative will provide funding for eligible in-person festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Festivals and events play a vital role in showcasing Ontario’s vibrant culture, attracting visitors, and driving economic growth in communities across the province. By creating memorable experiences, festival organizers help celebrate the diverse identities that make Ontario a unique place to live, work, and play. This year, applicants will benefit from a streamlined process through a new online application portal in Transfer Payment Ontario, designed to enhance the user experience and simplify submissions. The application period is now open – applications will be accepted until December 19, 2024, at 4 p.m. (EST). Note: Experience Ontario is a highly competitive program. Applications will be measured against program criteria and there is no guarantee of funding. » Experience Ontario 2025 information and program guidelines
Upcoming Industry Call – Don’t Miss Out!
We are pleased to connect our members to an exclusive
with
, Regional Development Advisor at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
⏰
Louis will present the specifics of the 2025 program and answer your questions to help you prepare strong applications.
Program Objectives
The
program supports in-person festivals or events in Ontario that will:
Encourage Travel and Celebration: Offer programming that inspires people to travel, attend events in person, and celebrate Ontario.
Boost Tourism and Visitor Spending: Draw tourists and increase spending through innovative programming developed in collaboration with businesses and community partners.
Create Job Opportunities: Provide employment opportunities for Ontarians in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors.
Enhance Ontario’s Profile: Promote Ontario through various media channels.
Funding Priorities
The maximum funding for
is based on a
determined by the organization's previous year’s actual festival or event cash expenses:
Tier 1 - Signature
Eligibility: Festivals/events with total cash expenses of $1 million or more.
Funding: Up to 50% of eligible cash expenses, capped at $125,000.
Tier 2 - Emerging
Eligibility: Festivals/events with total cash expenses between $250,000 and $999,999.
Funding: Up to 50% of eligible cash expenses, capped at $55,000.
Tier 3 - Community
Eligibility: Festivals/events with total cash expenses under $250,000.
Funding: Up to 50% of eligible cash expenses, capped at $20,000.
Information about how to apply is available at
and in the
are available to assist with questions about the application process.
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