Amplify BC delivers $200K to support 100 new and emerging artists in British Columbia

Vancouver, B.C. (September 24, 2026) – Today, Creative BC announces 100 grants through the Demo Recording program (the Program), totalling $200,000 distributed to recipients across the province.

The Program supports new and emerging B.C. artists from systemically excluded groups with $2,000 grants to create demo recordings and access mentorship from local music producers, reducing barriers to music creation.

These grants will support artists with a mentorship to provide feedback, guidance, and other necessary opportunities for career growth, including assisting with budget development, networking, release strategies, and preparing music for release. Recipients will be able to use their grants to create demo recordings of original songs or compositions; and arrangements or interpretations of existing works.

The Program is designed to support artists and producers to gain opportunities in the music industry, engaging in skills development building professional capacity for new and emerging artists, investing in producers to mentor and develop new talent, and creating new business opportunities for producers and recording studios.

The 2026/27 Demo Recording program represents a collaborative investment in British Columbia’s music and sound recording industry through the Province of British Columbia’s Amplify BC Fund.

Applications were scored according to the priorities of the program, including artist development, producer support, mentorship potential, and creative merit. Creative BC together with panels of industry professionals representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions and demographics, selected the successful recipients of the Program.

The following artists have been selected for the 2026/27 Demo Recording program:

To learn more about the Demo Recording program, visit Creative BC’s website: www.creativebc.com/funding-programs/demo-recording 

Quotes:

Robert Wong, Vice President, Creative BC
“Congratulations to the 100 recipients of the Demo Recording program’s latest intake! Through funding and mentorship, the program gives emerging artists the tools, industry connections, and support they need to grow their careers. With 326 artists supported to date, this investment is helping foster new talent, strengthen B.C.’s music ecosystem, and shape the sound of our province for years to come.”

Alexis Kay, Producer, Program Recipient
“I’m excited to be working with Sheri Marie Ptolemy with the support of Creative BC. This grant has also given us the opportunity to bring in vocal producer Carol-Lynne Quinn, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with and learn from another woman in music. The experience and knowledge we gain from working with her will extend far beyond these two songs and help shape the music we create moving forward.”

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 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 organization 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 agency 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

Cover image: Sheri Marie Ptolemy (left, Recording Artist) and Alexis Kay (right, Producer), photo credit Brian Aikens.