The B.C. government provided $50,000 to support the Capital Region Music Awards Society’s bid to bring BreakOut West, an annual musical showcase, to Victoria in 2015, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

Combining a music industry conference, a popular music festival and a prestigious awards show into a four-day event, BreakOut West helps western Canadian musicians showcase their work and build new business connections. Participants engage in a conference, network with music business contacts and demonstrate their talent at exciting performances. BreakOut West features a variety of music genres.

The Western Canadian Music Alliance (WCMA), representing Music BC, the Alberta Music Industry Association, SaskMusic, Manitoba Music, Music Yukon and Music NWT, presents BreakOut West annually. Cities from WCMA’s member jurisdictions bid to host the event. Calgary hosted BreakOut West in 2013. Winnipeg will be the host city for 2014.

The bid to bring the 13th annual BreakOut West to Victoria in 2015, organized by Capital Region Music Awards Society, has support from the City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District.

Hosting BreakOut West brings significant benefits. The host province provides between 40% and 50% of the participating musicians. The Capital Region Music Awards Society estimates up to 75 artists would perform at about 12 to 15 venues in the city. BreakOut West’s music industry conference would attract between 300 and 350 delegates to Victoria.

Quotes: 

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

“Congratulations to everyone at the Capital Region Music Awards Society for putting together a great bid to bring BreakOut West to Victoria in 2015.  Hosting BreakOut West will benefit British Columbia’s superbly talented musicians and music industry entrepreneurs. Best wishes for every success with the bid.”

Capital Region Music Awards Society president Kyara Kahakauwila -

“BreakOut West will have a positive impact on our regional economy and local artists in 2015. With the support of our provincial government, we look forward to working with community partners, Greater Victoria municipalities, local businesses and music industry leaders to help realize this opportunity for our region and province.”

Quick Facts:

• Artists born and/or based in British Columbia won several awards at BreakOut West 2013 in Calgary, including:
  • Rick Scott - Children`s Recording of the Year.
  • John Oliver - Classical Composition of the Year.
  • Kytami - Electronic Dance Recording of the Year.
  • Jill Barber - Francophone Recording of the Year.
  • Hannah Georgas - Pop Recording of the Year.
  • Madchild - Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year.
  • Dirty Radio - Urban Recording of the Year.
  • Alex Cuba - World Recording of the Year.
• The Western Canadian Music Alliance promotes independent labels, artists and managers from western Canada’s diverse music scene.
• This year the B.C. government is investing over $60 million in arts, cultural organizations and artists in communities throughout British Columbia.
• Arts and culture in British Columbia employs over 87,000 British Columbians, including almost 26,000 artists.

Learn More:

Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

Visit the Capital Region Music Awards Society at: http://www.capitalregionmusicawards.com/

Learn more about the Western Canadian Music Alliance at: www.breakoutwest.ca/

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462