AMPLIFY BC: DEMO RECORDING AND BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS PROGRAMS
Two grant programs are now open for intake via Creative BC!
The Demo Recording program provides grants of up to $2,000 to create demo recordings and engage in mentorship with local music producers, while the Business Foundations program covers grants up to $10,000 for music businesses to build networks, develop capacity and strengthen their infrastructure.
Visit the Creative BC website to learn more about each of the programs.
2025 intake deadlines for FACTOR’s Artist programs – Artist Development, Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP, Juried Sound Recording: Album, and Artist Entrepreneur have been announced!
Additional deadlines for their Promoter Program, Collective Initiatives, and Sponsorship have also been announced.
FACTOR reminds all applicants to update their profiles by February 28th, 2025 in advance of the annual ratings review.
Visit the link below for application windows, and for more details on which program may be a fit for your projects.
Music BC is excited to be a partner this year on Music PEI’s Canadian Song Conference, taking place May 28-30th, 2025!
Music PEI established the Canadian Song Conference (CSC) in 2015 and has been tremendously successful in bringing music industry professionals from across Canada, the US, UK and Australia to PEI to participate. The CSC includes workshops and panels designed to assist artists in developing multiple revenue streams and explores the art and commerce of songs and songwriting.
All Applicants:
Must be a current Music Industry Association (MIA) member from a participating MIA.
Must have released music on a streaming platform.
Must not have participated in the Songwriter Sessions in the previous year (2024).
Must be available in-person from May 26th – 30th, 2025 (Recording takes place May 26-27th)
Application Deadline: February 20th, 2025
We would like to thank Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia for making helping to make this opportunity possible.
WOMEN IN THE STUDIO NATIONAL ACCELERATOR 2025 Music Publishers Canada (MPC) is now accepting applications for our 2025 Women in the Studio National Accelerator. The program will focus on topics including technical and songwriting skills, branding and financial literacy and will offer opportunities for creative collaborations. Application Deadline: February 21st, 2025 LEARN MORE
WIMC PANEL: CHARGING WHAT YOU DESERVE Hosted by The Thoughtful Co, this workshop equips entrepreneurs (that’s you too, artists!) with the tools they need to make effective rate-setting decisions that maximize profitability. Discover alternative payment methods and gain the confidence to articulate your unique selling points. We’ll also touch on how to negotiate compensation if you’re employed or applying for new positions. Panel Date: February 22nd, 2025, 1-3 PM RSVP
APPLY TO PERFORM AT KHATSAHLNO Khatsahlano musical artist & band submissions are now open! The Khatsahlano Street Party is the largest free music & arts festival in Vancouver, and they want you to perform on one of their 7 Stages on July 5th, 2025. The festival is also currently accepting applications for volunteers, vendors, and more. Application Deadline: February 28th, 2025 LEARN MORE
APPLY TO SHOWCASE AT DO IT FOR THE CULTURE 2025 Do It For The Culture is a premier music conference and festival held in Kelowna, BC, dedicated to amplifying underrepresented artists, particularly in Hip-Hop, R&B, and Afrobeats. Founded by 100 Collective Records, the event provides a platform for BIPOC musicians to showcase their talent, connect with industry professionals, and access career-building resources. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 LEARN MORE
INDUSTRY NEWS
Looking Forward: Canadian Music Industry Leaders on the Issues That will Define 2025 From challenges related to generative AI to debates over arts funding and regulation amidst uncertainty in the federal government, the Canadian music industry has a busy agenda for this year. – READ MORE
Live music in Canada is a more than $10B industry, new study finds According to the CLMA report’s economic impact assessment, in 2023 the live music sector contributed $10.92 billion to Canada’s GDP as well as $3.73 billion in tax dollars. It also created more than 101,640 jobs across the country, contributing $5.84 billion in labour income. – READ MORE
Indie Artists Made $3.41 Per 1,000 Streams in 2024, Report Finds The study found that independent artists and others who own the rights to their master recordings made $3.41 per 1,000 streams globally in 2024, which is down from the 2021 global payout rate of $4.04. – READ MORE
So Sus Talks Transitioning Genders, Inclusivity And Immigration Bureaucracy “I think the biggest thing is this simple idea that we’re all human,” So Sus says. “We’re all here, and we need to be kind to each other, love each other [and] be accepting of each other [for] the different journeys we all have in life.” – READ MORE
Vancouver musicians keeping a close eye on the U.S. following higher visa fees, tariff threats On April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under President Joe Biden introduced its first major fee increases since 2016 for non-immigrant category work visas. – READ MORE
Canadian Musicians Made a Major Impact at the 2025 Grammys Canadians loomed large at the event — even some who weren’t actually there in person — heading into it with many nominations for songwriting and producing. – READ MORE
LATEST BC RELEASES
SIESKI
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “COFFEE”
BRODY LAY
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “DON’T COME AROUND ME”
HONEYBEAR, THE BAND
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “IF YOU WERE MINE”
BAWAH
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “MAUVEY TO A BAWAH (YOU DON’T KNOW ME)”
IZAIYA
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “REAL LOVE”
MARIE DRESSELHUIS
RELEASES NEW SINGLE “THE AFTERMATH”
SOCAN:Travel Assistance, Professional Development Assistance
Canada Council:Travel, Residencies, Professional Development for Artists, Research and Creation, Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.
