Creative BC announces $1.8M in 78 grants to support of live music initiatives and businesses  

Vancouver, B.C. (July 18, 2025) – Today, Creative BC announces 78 Amplify BC grants through the Live Music program (the Program), totalling $1.8M distributed to recipients across the province for live events and businesses. 

The Live Music program is a core program of the Province of British Columbia’s Amplify BC Fund, supporting the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of B.C.’s music industry. It offers grants of $2,000 to $50,000, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, through two streams: Presentation, which supports live music events, and Business Development, which invests in capacity-building initiatives for music companies and organizations.  

The Program strengthens B.C.’s live music industry by investing in business development and live performances that generate economic activity, create jobs, and expand opportunities for local presenters and artists. By supporting capacity-building and performance initiatives, the Program helps drive growth across the province’s music ecosystem while enhancing cultural experiences for audiences.  

It further supports music tourism and performance opportunities, and ensures that a broad range of presenters are included—particularly those from systemically excluded groups who have faced barriers to participation in funding programs and increasing investment in underrepresented and regional areas across the province. 

Eligible activities for the Presentation stream include funding for live music events such as music festivals, concert series, year-round programming, and one-off performances, while the Business Development stream drives business activities such as capital infrastructure improvements, job creation, audience development and market research, and more. 

The 2024/25 Live Music program is part of the Province of British Columbia’s $42M historical investment which includes supporting the music industry’s infrastructure and assisting the recovery and growth of B.C.’s music industry through 2027.   

• 63 recipients will be supported through the Presentation stream including 5X Festival, FVDED in the Park, Shambhala Music Festival, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.  

• 15 recipients will be supported through the Business Development stream, including Coastal Jazz & Blues Society, Pacific Opera Victoria, Timbre Concerts Ltd., and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society. 

See the full list on the Knowledge Hub. 

To learn more about the Live Music program, visit Creative BC’s website: https://www.creativebc.com/funding-programs/live-music 

Quotes: 

Honourable Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Live music isn’t just about great shows—it creates jobs, drives tourism, and makes B.C. an engaging place to live, work, and visit. From local gigs with emerging artists, to sold-out arena shows, B.C. musicians are significant cultural and economic contributors, and we’re proud to support live music across the province through Amplify BC. As we celebrate the 2025 Year of Music, we’re shining a global spotlight on the artists, venues, and communities that make B.C.’s music scene so vibrant.” 

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“The Amplify BC Live Music program plays a vital role in bringing live music to life across the province. We’re proud to support festivals that unite communities through unforgettable performances, showcasing homegrown talent alongside celebrated artists from around the world. These events are more than entertainment; they’re part of a creative and high-impact music and sound recording industry that contributes $431 million to B.C.’s total GDP.”

Nickolas Collinet, Public Disco, Program Recipient
“Creative BC’s support helps us transform everyday spaces into pop-up music venues, connecting people through shared experiences in public space. This investment expands access to local electronic music, supports performance opportunities for emerging artists, and draws audiences into neighbourhoods—generating both cultural and economic vibrancy where it’s most needed.” 

Mike Hann, Song and Surf Festival, Program Recipient
“Creative BC’s Live Music program has provided the foundation that small, independent festivals in British Columbia have needed to weather so many uncertain times in recent years. With this foundation, the live performance opportunities for up-and-coming artists have continued to exist, which has helped the live music sector thrive and keep fostering amazing regional talent. Thank you, Creative BC!”

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