Victoria – The Province of British Columbia and Creative BC announced the allocation of $4.41 million from the BC Music Fund.
Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, and Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, alongside Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC and industry representatives, made the announcement today at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, with an acoustic set performed by Jasper Sloan Yip, a B.C. musician who has received support from the BC Music Fund.
A total of $1.41 million has been allocated to Music BC to support the expansion of the association’s activities in the areas of export and professional development, touring and expanded showcase opportunities for B.C. artists. Music BC plays an integral role in delivering projects that develop B.C.’s music industry, and will be essential in connecting musicians with the BC Music Fund and its suite of programs.
Sound recording plays a vital role in the overall music ecosystem and today, Bond and Gill congratulated thirty-five successful applicants who received grants from the previously announced $500,000 Sound Recording Pilot Program.
Further to applicant and industry feedback, Creative BC has extended the Sound Recording Program providing an additional $3 million in funding. The expanded application criteria reflects increased access for unincorporated recording studios and artists. The announcement today brings the total investment in sound recording to $3.5 million.
Applications for the Sound Recording Program will be accepted by Creative BC as of today, and on a first come, first served basis until funds have been allocated. Successful recipients will receive grants to record at B.C.-based recording studios.
From December through March, the BC Music Fund will launch additional programs to support B.C.’s diverse music industry. The seven programs will be: sound recording, live music, industry initiatives, research, careers of B.C. artists, music company development, and innovation.
Additional information, including backgrounders, can be found online at: www.bcmusicfund.com
Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC –
“Creative BC has worked diligently for months with the BC Music Fund Advisory Committee and a wide variety of industry stakeholders to analyse where and how funding will be the most beneficial. Today marks the first of many grant rollouts, with more planned for December 2016 and early 2017.”
Bryan Adams, musician and BC Music Fund Advisory Council member –
“The BC Music Fund is focused on supporting B.C. artists and the industry that develops them right here in our province. The programs being created through the BC Music Fund and Creative BC will strengthen and give opportunities to everyone in B.C.’s music industry.”
Alex Grigg, executive director, Music BC –
“As the voice of British Columbia’s music industry, we continue to provide funding to support the growth and sustainability of the province’s music community – artists, music professionals, and other creators. This additional $1.41 million will allow us to provide greater support for our industry partners and expand our own network to reach more of the province’s artists and industry professionals. We applaud and thank the support from Creative BC and the Province for this opportunity and partnership.”
Jasper Sloan Yip, sound recording pilot program funding recipient –
“We are so grateful to be one of the first groups to receive support through the BC Music Fund. Local artists continue to seek out innovative ways to expand their community and have their music heard. This gives us more opportunity to develop quality music that we’re proud to share.”
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 over 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).
Learn More:
To apply for funding from the BC Music Fund, please visit: www.bcmusicfund.com
To find out more about Creative BC, please visit: www.creativebc.com
To find out more about Music BC, please visit: www.musicbc.org
For a full list of funding recipients, please click here: http://ow.ly/d6cS306GOl7
Twitter: #BCMusicFund / @BCMusicFund / @CreativeBCs / @MusicBC / @BCGovNews
Facebook: /creativebcs
Instagram: @creativebcs
