The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) will look to build upon major momentum now that City Council has formally approved Ottawa’s first official Music Strategy. Wednesday morning’s unanimous vote will mean more funding for Ottawa’s music industry as well as deeper collaboration between the city and our local music scene. It’s a major step forward towards Ottawa becoming a renowned music city.

The three-year plan, available here, includes recommendations put forward such as increased funding for OMIC and the city hiring a dedicated music development officer. OMIC is also looking to kickstart a music fund to support local artists’ work as well as establishing music awards for artists in Ottawa and Gatineau. For the long term, the report’s authors present a vision for Ottawa to become a “key music hub respected the world-over” by 2030.

“All of us in the Ottawa music industry are excited about what the next few years will bring.”

In a statement, the report’s lead consultant Andrew Vincent said, “It has been really exciting to see this strategy take shape. Throughout the process, there has been an incredible spirit of collaboration across government, industry and community lines that, I believe, will continue to create amazing new opportunities for Ottawa’s growth as a music city.”

“All of us in the Ottawa music industry are excited about what the next few years will bring,” says Mark Monahan, President of OMIC and Executive Director of CityFolk and RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.

Visit ottawa.ca to read the full Ottawa Music Strategy report.