Music Venues, Festivals, Businesses, and Artists Receive $3.4M from Creative BC via Four Amplify BC Programs

Vancouver, BC (April 12, 2023) – Today, Creative BC proudly announces 223 provincial grants through four Amplify BC programs totalling $3.4M distributed to recipients across B.C.’s music industry. The four programs by which recipients received funding are part of the Province’s $22.5M three-year commitment to Amplify BC, now completing its second year of delivery through Creative BC. These provincial funds are part of B.C.’s $10 Billion COVID-19 response and focus on protecting the music industry’s infrastructure and assisting the survival of festivals, venues, live music presenters, and music companies in B.C.  

The Career Development program supported 98 emerging and established artists in BC with $1,173,145 to record songs, film music videos, and market their music and intellectual property.  

The Record in BC program encouraged out-of-province and international talent to return to B.C. This program invested $327,112 into 17 projects to grow essential business relationships and ties for B.C. producers and recording engineers to foreign companies and artists, including from Australia, Denmark, Mexico, and the USA.  

The Live Music program received 300 applications and supported 87 recipients with $1,450,000 in this round of investment, reflecting a 29% success rate and a 40% increase in applications over previous years. High program demand reflects ongoing and acute post-pandemic impacts on this segment of the music industry, which continues to strive, sustain, and adapt to continued pressures. These include significant increases to insurance costs and inflation pressures, rising talent fees and production costs, a lack of production supply and experienced workforce, low engagement due to hesitant audiences and frugal sponsors, as well as cancellations due to COVID-19.     

The Music Industry Initiatives program supported 21 projects with $450,915 that will help develop the ecosystem and the people working within the music industry, including through training and professional projects, showcasing and export projects, the creation of online platforms, and industry research.   

View a list of the recipients by program online here. 

Live Music and Career Development programs adjudication was performed by Creative BC together with panels of industry professionals representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions and demographics. Record in BC and Music Industry Initiatives accepted applications on a rolling basis and were adjudicated by Creative BC staff. 

To learn more about these programs, visit: Amplify BC: www.creativebc.com/programs/amplify-bc
StrongerBC: www.strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/ 

Quotes:
Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Congratulations to the recipients! People in the music industry were deeply impacted by the pandemic, and they need support to recover. We are pleased to support B.C.’s businesses and artists so they can continue to create the content we love, and perform and entertain in our communities and beyond”. 

Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film
“Music is an amazing form of creative and cultural expression. The music industry provides careers for artists and professionals in recording, live performance, composition, videography and so much more. I can’t wait to see what these recipients are able to produce and achieve with these important Amplify BC grants.”  

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“It’s crucial that we continue to deliver post-pandemic support for artists, music companies, and live music presenters–B.C.’s music industry is still in survival mode and trying to adapt,” said Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC. “This is not only about economic recovery for businesses, but it’s about ensuring our province’s rich music culture is sustained and returns for people and communities across B.C. to enjoy.”

Nicky MacKenzie, Victoria, B.C., Career Development Grant Recipient
“By helping me with funding to support recording, promo materials and marketing, Creative BC has helped me to build the foundation of success in my career. I’ve been able to pursue creative opportunities that I never would have been able to afford on my own. I am extremely excited to be planning the release of my upcoming EP, which wouldn’t have been possible without funding. Creative BC, thank you for helping artists to achieve their dreams!” 

Brian Kirschner, The Lido, Fort St. John, B.C., Live Music Grant Recipient
“The LIDO is both excited and thankful to be one of the recipients of Creative BC’s Live Music program. Receiving this funding will enable The LIDO to revive “Strawberry Jam”, a music series that was created many years ago that showcased local artists, to develop and grow the professional music scene as well as people’s passion for live music in the North Peace Region. The funds will also allow The LIDO to upgrade some of our older equipment to provide a higher quality experience for artists and customers, while eliminating the need for additional rental costs.” 

Teon Gibbs, 100 Collective, Kelowna, B.C., Music Industry Initiatives Grant Recipient
“Culture Con is an initiative we’re really passionate about. We brought artists together from across the province to Kelowna to provide them with the opportunity to network and meet industry professionals that can help shape the future of their careers. None of this would have been possible without the support of Creative BC and the Province. We can’t wait to see how much more Culture Con can grow!” 

Media Contact:
Lisa Escudero
Creative BC
media@creativebc.com
604-730-2235 

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent society created and supported by the Province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include: administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental, and creative potential both at home and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com