Ontario Creates is seeking applications from qualified industry professionals to be jurors for the Ontario Creates Ontario Music Investment Fund. The program is adjudicated by a combination of industry experts and Ontario Creates representatives. The ideal candidate will have senior industry knowledge and experience, with current activities unlikely to pose a conflict of interest with the role of juror.

The Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF) is an economic development investment fund designed to support Ontario-based music businesses and organizations in maximizing growth, increasing return on investment (ROI), and fostering a balanced, vibrant and diverse music ecosystem.

We are seeking jurors for the following Ontario Music Investment Fund programs:

Music Company Development: Supports established businesses (revenues over $125K) that take risks discovering and developing talent and bringing it to market through recording and production, marketing and promotion, publishing and business development activities.

Music Futures: Invests in high performing music companies with growth potential (revenues between $25K and $125K) to increase access, advance competitiveness, and accelerate success.

Live Music: Supports businesses and organizations (revenues over $125K) that produce or promote live music events in Ontario (featuring Canadian artists), with the goal of increasing the number and quality of live music experiences for residents in and visitors to Ontario.

Juror Responsibilities

• Extensive knowledge of the program and the Ontario music ecosystem
• Participate in a pre-jury briefing to discuss roles and responsibilities of the juror
• Enter into a juror agreement and a confidentiality agreement with the Ontario Creates
• Individually reading, reviewing, and adjudicating all eligible applications received for the program as provided by Ontario Creates
• Assess each application based on specific program criteria and assign a numerical score accordingly based on the forms provided by Ontario Creates
• Attend an in-person jury meeting (located at 175 Bloor Street East, South Tower Suite 501, Toronto, ON) with other jurors to jointly review the applications and determine final recommendations

TIME COMMITMENT

Music Company Development: Our next intake period is slated for April 2026. It is estimated that the review/assessment process will take approximately 60 hours between May and July 2026. Jurors will receive an honorarium following the conclusion of the review process.

Music Futures: Our next intake period is slated for April 2026. It is estimated that the review/assessment process will take approximately 40 hours between May and July 2026. Jurors will receive an honorarium following the conclusion of the review process.

Live Music: Our next intake period is slated for October 2026. It is estimated that the review/assessment process will take approximately 120 hours between November 2026 and January 2027. Jurors will receive an honorarium following the conclusion of the review process.

JUROR REQUIREMENTS

• Wide range of experience in a senior position(s) in the Canadian music industry
• Extensive understanding of and expertise in the music industry with knowledge of current trends/issues in relation to various musical genres and industry stakeholders
• Maintain in strict confidence your role as Juror until after the adjudication process is complete
• Maintain in strict confidence all confidential information and take reasonable precautions against accidental disclosure of same
• Not directly or indirectly use the confidential information for any purpose, except in the performance of your duties for Ontario Creates
• Indicate if you are associated in any way with any applicant company or principals of a company that is eligible to submit to the Ontario Music Investment Fund and, at the application review stage, declare any conflicts of interest that may arise

“Confidential information” means all information (whether oral, written, in computer readable format or otherwise), data and material acquired by the juror from Ontario Creates or in connection with the performance of their duties for Ontario Creates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The jury members will not have access to an applicant’s corporate financial statements
• Jury comments may be relayed to the applicant
• Evaluation forms and jury comments may be available through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
• Juror names may be released once all decisions have been made
• Please see the appendix below the application form for a link to information on the program and a list of project types that have received funding

Application Process

To submit an application, please complete the application form below. You will be asked to upload your resume.

Ontario Creates strives to compose juries that are diverse, inclusive and equitable as per the Government of Ontario’s definition of diversity, which states that the dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to: ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion (creed), sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.

Ontario Creates is grateful for your interest in participating in this important process. It is anticipated that a substantial number of industry experts will respond to the Call for Application. In light of this, only those invited to be a juror for the Ontario Music Investment Fund will be contacted. Ontario Creates maintains an active list of potential jurors.