Music Industry Initiatives

Who can apply

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants can apply as an individual, collective, company, or organization, and must be:

1. Active in the music industry in B.C.; and
2. Headquartered in Canada, or located in and eligible to work in Canada.

Other eligibility information:

1. New Companies: This program will fund start-ups that are newly registered companies, in

addition to existing companies.

1. Collectives: Projects can be run by an informal group of people. In this case, one individual

needs to be the lead on the project and take legal responsibility for the funds. This person will sign the funding agreement and receive payments.

1. Collaborations: Business collaborations are welcome in this program. A primary applicant is

required to take on legal responsibility for the project and manage all payments. The application should specify the partners or collaborators involved and their respective roles, with letters of support provided by each partner.

Industry-led projects: This program supports projects and collaborations led by the music industry.

Research companies, consultants, or academic institutions are eligible to apply, but must demonstrate significant involvement from industry partnerships in delivering the project, and support from music industry stakeholders for the project.

Creative BC encourages applications from systemically excluded groups, including Indigenous Peoples (First Nations [Status/Non-Status], Métis, and Inuit), Black, People of Colour, People living with one or more Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, non-binary and gender diverse people, and other groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.

For previous recipients:

1. Final reports: If an applicant has previously received funding from this program, all prior Music

Industry Initiatives final reports must be submitted prior to submitting a new full application, except for research projects. Applicants with open research projects supported by this program can hold up to two projects at the same time.

1. Good standing: The principals, directors, officers, shareholders and owners of all applicant

companies must be in good standing with Creative BC, which means the applicant is not in default with respect to prior grants, and there are no outstanding amounts owed.

Project Eligibility

This program supports initiatives and events that build the capacity of B.C.’s music industry by developing knowledge, skills, processes, resources, opportunities, and abilities to meet existing needs.

Priority will be given to new or expanding initiatives, and to projects that serve a clear need or gap.

Projects must demonstrate a broad benefit to B.C.’s music industry, or to an aspect of B.C.’s music industry, and cannot predominantly benefit one artist, company, organization, or their clients. Projects must demonstrate how benefit is shared across the music industry, including the applicant’s peers and competitors, if applicable.

Examples of eligible activities include:

1. Industry conferences, panels, workshops, and events with industry development activities.
2. Opportunities for training, mentorship, professional development, and fostering new talent.
3. Community infrastructure, services, or digital platforms that provide broad industry benefit.
4. Projects that increase the capacity of systemically excluded groups in B.C.’s music industry.
5. Resources, policies or manuals to share best practices in the areas of business, harm

reduction, sustainability, equity, etc.

1. Collaborative business initiatives or showcases.
2. Research projects that develop knowledge to benefit those working in music.