Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
The Province of British Columbia and Creative BC announced the allocation of $3.8 million from the BC Music Fund with the opening of three new funding programs today.
Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, and Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC, and industry representatives, made the announcement at 604 Records. Songs were performed by Frazey Ford, one of British Columbia’s celebrated songwriters.
A total of $2.5 million has been dedicated to support the Live Music program. B.C.-based festivals, venues, live music presenters and event producers can apply for funding aimed at increasing the number of live music performances within the province. Funding will support business development activities that directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of live music events, such as infrastructure improvements, new marketing initiatives and strategy development. The deadline for the first program intake is Feb. 1, 2017, with a second intake in June 2017.
(flickr.com) Finally, $300,000 will be allocated toward research program funding and will support projects that increase knowledge and inform the growth, evolution and innovation of British Columbia’s diverse and distinct music sector. This includes data collection on economic impact, development of new products, researching export opportunities to new markets, consumer behaviour research, feasibility studies for new initiatives within the music industry and other research.
Eligible applicants for the Industry Initiatives and the Research programs include industry associations and business collaborations. Applications for these two programs will be accepted on a rolling intake until funds have been allocated.
From January through March 2017, the BC Music Fund will launch additional programs to support B.C.’s diverse music industry. The fund will support seven programs, including Sound Recording, Live Music, Industry Initiatives, Research, Careers of B.C. Artists, Music Company Development, and Innovation.
The BC Music Fund is hosting a series of public regional-outreach meetings to share information about new programs and build relationships with music industry partners throughout British Columbia. Meetings will be held in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince George, Smithers, Nelson and Merritt in January and February 2017.
(flickr.com) Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –
“British Columbia’s music sector has seen immense growth and success, thanks to the contributions of our many talented artists. The funding announced today from the BC Music Fund will serve to further support artists and live music-related businesses, including festivals, venues and event producers, ensuring a strong sector for years to come.”
Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC –
“Creative BC’s priority is to support and grow B.C.’s creative economy. As live music is core to growing the music sector, it’s essential that we invest in it. Parallel to this, our Research and Industry Initiatives programs will support innovation and collaboration so B.C. artists are supported to meet the competitive challenges and opportunities in our global, digital reality.”
Sue Judge, artistic director of Coldsnap, The Prince George Winter Music Festival –
“Music is truly a universal language and a tremendously important form of communication between living beings. Live music events, regardless of size, give us all a voice from both sides of the stage and have a significant cultural and economic impact on B.C. communities. The BC Music Fund is a great opportunity to assist the creation and sustainability of music and musicians and foster the avenues of presentation across our beautiful province.”
Alvaro Prol, co-founder, Blueprint Entertainment –
“The Province’s investment into B.C. live music events, festivals and local creatives will increase music tourism and have a very positive economic and cultural impact for communities across B.C. Support for our local music industry will connect artists with audiences and allow emerging B.C. talent to begin their careers and grow to be international touring acts.”
Frazey Ford, songwriter and musician –
“Art is the expression of our collective soul. It's the expression of our humanity. There is so much talent in this province, so many incredible artists creating, writing and performing. The resources of the BC Music Fund will be a powerful force in further developing and supporting this talent.”
Quick Facts:
- B.C. has the third-largest concentration of independent labels, sound recording studios and other music businesses in Canada.
- B.C.’s music industry includes more than 80 independent record labels, 123 sound recording studios and hundreds of music publishers, managers, talent agencies, marketing and other businesses that support the development and delivery of music.
- There are more than 6,400 artists in B.C. These include 600 conductors, composers or arrangers and 5,825 musicians or singers.
- B.C.’s music industry contributed over $400 million in revenue to the provincial economy.
- The industry generates revenue from multiple streams that include record-label production and sound recording ($52.7 million), live music performances ($87.8 million), music publishing ($13.7 million) and artist income ($255 million).
To apply for funding from the BC Music Fund, please visit: www.bcmusicfund.com
For information on BC Music Fund Regional Information sessions: http://ow.ly/jYtX307ad6u
To find out more about Creative BC, please visit: www.creativebc.com
To find out more about Music BC, please visit: www.musicbc.org
Twitter: #BCMusicFund / @BCMusicFund / @CreativeBCs / @MusicBC / @BCGovNews
Facebook: /creativebcs
Instagram: @creativebcs
