FACTOR Launches Festival Support Program to Strengthen Canadian Music Festivals

New funding opportunity aims to support Canadian-owned festivals presenting Canadian artists across the country

FACTOR has launched the 2026–2027 Festival Support component as part of its Collective Initiatives Program, introducing a new funding opportunity designed to help Canadian-owned live music companies continue presenting and growing music festivals featuring Canadian artists.

The program is intended to address the increasing financial pressures facing festival organizers while supporting audience development and strengthening Canada’s live music ecosystem. Through the initiative, eligible festivals can receive funding covering up to 50% of total eligible project costs.

The Festival Support component is open to Canadian-owned festivals taking place between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Eligible festivals must feature lineups made up of at least 51% Canadian artists and occur within Canada.

Funding can be applied toward a range of festival-related expenses, including:

• Canadian artist fees

• Artist travel and accommodations

• Facility rentals

• Staging, sound and lighting

• Advertising and promotional campaigns

• Staff costs and event production expenses

The program places added emphasis on festivals that support emerging Canadian artists, Indigenous artists and artists from equity-deserving communities, including women, racialized persons, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and persons with disabilities.

Eligible applicants must be Canadian-owned incorporated companies or not-for-profit organizations with demonstrated operational experience and financial history. Festivals must also meet eligibility requirements related to size and scope, including maximum revenue and attendance thresholds.

Applicants are required to submit a detailed proposal outlining festival programming, participating artists, marketing plans, projected audience impact and full project budgets, including disclosure of any additional public funding applications.

The application deadline for the Festival Support component is June 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Funding for the initiative is provided through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Music Fund and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.

Complete guidelines and application details are available through FACTOR at this link: https://www.factor.ca/programs/community/collective-initiatives/

Cover photo for this article from FACTOR Canada