Amplify BC delivers $210K in support to small music businesses in British Columbia

Vancouver, B.C. (September 3, 2024) – Today, Creative BC announces 21 Amplify BC grants through the Business Foundations program (the Program) totalling $209,572 distributed to support growing music and sound recording businesses in British Columbia owned by people from systemically excluded groups. 

The Business Foundations Program is new and intended to increase access to funding with a flexible and simplified application process, and no matching funding required. The program is a stepping stone for growing businesses to then access funding through the Live Music and Music Company programs.

The Program invests in growing businesses to expand and develop networks, capacity, and infrastructure. Grants up to $10,000 will support new or ongoing business operations, such as salaries and benefits, production costs, equipment purchases, content creation, marketing and advertising campaigns, training, policy development, business planning, and more. 

The Business Foundations program is part of the Province of British Columbia’s investment into B.C.’s music and sound recording industry fund via Amplify BC. These provincial funds are part of B.C.’s $42M historical investment which includes supporting the music industry’s infrastructure and assisting festivals, venues, live music presenters, and music companies in B.C. until 2027.

Applications were scored according to the priorities of the program, including business strategy and potential, company capacity and community impact by a panel of industry professionals representing the groups this program serves. The panel included music professionals from various industry backgrounds, regions and demographics. 

Acknowledging that there have been systemic barriers to access, and that supporting new and diverse talent is crucial to a vibrant and thriving music and sound recording industry, 100% the funding is distributed to companies majority owned by one or more of the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women, Non-binary, or people with disabilities. This program embodies Creative BC’s actions for equity and inclusion in program delivery. 

The following 21 companies have been awarded grants:  

1. 100 Collective, Vancouver, $10,000   
2. 8.O Entertainment Inc., Vancouver, $10,000 
3. Andrea Wong, Langley Township, $10,000 
4. Black Van Club, Coquitlam, $10,000   
5. Cat Hiltz, Chilliwack, $10,000   
6. Chapel Sound Art Foundation, Vancouver, $10,000   
7. Cree-Native Productions, Surrey, $10,000   
8. FiveGawd, Burnaby, $10,000   
9. FUSIONpresents, Coquitlam, $10,000   
10. Grace Chiang, Coquitlam, $10,000   
11. Intersection Media & Management, Kelowna, $10,000   
12. Local Losers Underground, Coldstream, $9,574   
13. MADE BY WE, Vancouver, $10,000   
14. Noise Machine, Powell River, $10,000   
15. Oodelally Recordings, West Kelowna, $10,000   
16. Palm Street Studios, Vancouver, $10,000   
17. Panthera Productions Ltd, Vancouver, $10,000   
18. Patrick Alexandre, Gray Creek, $9,998   
19. Ricecake Events, Vancouver, $10,000   
20. Rudegang Entertainment, Burnaby, $10,000   
21. Tala Music & Consulting, North Vancouver, $10,000   

View a list of the recipients by program online here.    

To learn more about the Business Foundations program, visit Creative BC’s website: www.creativebc.com/funding-programs/business-foundations    

Quotes: 
Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Many people living in British Columbia face barriers to building their company in the music industry due to systemic exclusion. This is why our government is committed to creating better access through targeted and responsive programs, that provide meaningful support to artists and business owners. These grants ensure equity, diversity and inclusion and ensure more businesses throughout B.C. thrive.” 

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“Creative BC proudly announces the support of these 21 B.C. businesses that will receive support through the Business Foundations program, a new addition to the Amplify BC portfolio. These grants will provide fundamental support to help them build their businesses, gain greater access to grant models in B.C., and add to the cultural fabric of our music and sound recording industry.” 

Noah MacLeod, Local Losers Underground, Program Recipient
“This grant allowed us to upgrade to a digital audio production system, substantially increasing our capacity and production quality. We are using this equipment to grow new partnerships in our community, take on larger projects, and vastly improve the production quality we provide for local artists and events in the Okanagan.” 

Media Contact:
Creative BC
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235 

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent non-profit 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

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