A first for the City: dedicated music funding aimed at boosting growth in the music sector, while reflecting Vancouver’s commitment to equity, diversity, and Reconciliation, and in alignment with the early findings of the Vancouver Music Strategy.
The City of Vancouver and Creative BC are proud to partner on three new music grant programs to support Indigenous and underrepresented artists and organizations within the City of Vancouver and the unceded traditional homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. These programs will be funded by the City’s $300,000 Vancouver Music Fund, approved by Council in January PDF file (119 KB), and administered by Creative BC. In addition to these programs, Creative BC will leverage their existing music support programs for overall investment in Vancouver artists, programs, and initiatives.
Eligibility
The City of Vancouver funding for the one-time Creative BC programs will support new and emerging artists and industry professionals who experience systemic barriers to funding. Eligible groups may include those who identify as: Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and other Indigenous peoples; people of colour; people who live with disabilities; minority language speakers, cultural communities, and refugees; and, Trans, gender diverse, Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people.
“Vancouver’s remarkable music scene contributes to the city’s vibrancy and livability, and plays an important role in the economy of Vancouver’s creative sector,” said Sandra Singh, General Manager of Arts, Culture and Community Services for the City of Vancouver and Chair of the Music Steering Committee.
Three grant streams
The City’s Vancouver Music Fund includes three grant streams in partnership with Creative BC:
- Demo Program: Supporting new and emerging artists from underrepresented groups to create demo recordings and engage in mentorship and skill development with a BC producer.
- Music Video Program: Supporting the creation of music videos for new and emerging artists from underrepresented groups to build audiences.
- Industry Catalyst Program: Supporting projects that develop Vancouver’s music ecosystem and build the capacity of underrepresented groups. Individuals and collectives can apply, in addition to companies and organizations.
Applications for these programs open June 13. Applicants may apply to Creative BC for a grant of up to 100% of budgeted eligible expenditures, removing the usual requirement for matching funding, a barrier for many underrepresented groups. The deadline for applications for all three programs is July 24, 2019.
Apply here!
