The Career Development program supports the economic growth and career development of emerging and established B.C. artists in the areas of sound recording, marketing, and music videos.
Program Closed
This program is now closed. The deadline for applications was September 11, 2024.
Results will be available to all applicants in December 2024. Contact staff with any questions.
Applications for emerging and established B.C. artists are evaluated by Creative BC staff and a panel of industry professionals, representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions, and demographics.
Applications are scored according to the priorities of the program, the economic impact of the project, and the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the project.
Would you like to connect with Creative BC staff, ask questions, and learn more about this program?
Sign up for an info session below:
- Friday, August 9, 2024, 11 am – 12 pm; online
- Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 12 pm – 1 pm; online
- Monday, August 19, 2024, 3 pm – 4 pm; online
- Thursday, August 29, 2024, 6:30 pm – 8 pm; in-person
- Thursday, September 5, 2024, 10:30 am – 11:30 am; online
- Monday, September 9, 2024, 4 pm – 5 pm; online
All info sessions will be conducted in English, and in Pacific Time. Info sessions are always offered at no cost.
Grant coaching is now available for 2024/25 Career Development applicants.
One-hour grant coaching sessions is now available for new and previously unsuccessful applicants from systemically excluded and regions of B.C. Grant coaches can provide input on your applications for the Career Development program.
This includes artists from the following groups:
- Indigenous peoples
- The Black community
- People of Colour
- Deaf and Disability community, and those who live with chronic illness or are neurodiverse
- 2SLGBTQIA+, and gender diverse
This also includes artists from underrepresented regions of B.C.
- Cariboo
- Kootenay
- Nechako
- North Coast
- Northeast
- Thompson / Okanagan
- Vancouver Island and Coast (excluding the Capital Regional District / City of Victoria)
Meet the 2024/25 Career Development grant coaches:
Edzi’u is an Indigiqueer Tahltan and inland Tlingit performance and sound artist, musician, songwriter, composer; currently based out of x?m??kw?y??m, Sk?wx?wu?7mesh and S?l?i?lw?ta? territories. They received a degree in Music Composition at Vancouver Community College in 2019, with a minor in classical voice. Edzi’u creates electronic soundscapes with audio clips of the voice and software instruments. In their work, Edzi’u expands textures and disregards form while drawing on classical songwriting elements. Edzi’u has composed for short films, dance, podcasts and other artists. They are an award nominated musician, and have two alt-electro pop sound art albums called Kime Ani and Potlatch in the Box, with sound installations that have been shown in Vancouver, Toronto, and Scotland. Edzi’u’s new electro pop EP Tunnel Vision released August 2024. Her new record is full of thick synths, drums dripping with reverb and a mix of a modern take on 80’s and 90’s sounds that blends the nostalgic essence of Stevie Nicks, the raw emotional depth of Sharon Van Etten, and the atmospheric electronic textures of DRAMA.
Languages: English
Programs supported: Career Development
Book a grant coaching session with Edzi’u.
Ginalina is a singer-songwriter, cultural connector, and community builder who creates a spectrum of folk, family, and fusion music. Most recently, her collection of West Coast meets Far East songs received a Juno nomination, a Western Canadian Music Award nomination, and a Canadian Folk Music Award. Her experiences in the industry include researching, recording, producing, marketing, booking, touring, administration, and self-management. She is an independent grant consultant for not-for-profit organizations and has written and reviewed successful grant applications for Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, BC Arts Council, SOCAN Foundation, Music BC, Creative BC, ArtStarts BC, and Radiostarmaker Foundation. This is her fifth year offering coaching, tips, and practical tools for emerging artists through the Creative BC Career Development Program.
Languages: English, French, Mandarin, English as a Second Language
Programs supported: Career Development
Book a grant coaching session with Ginalina.
Hussein ‘DJ A-SLAM’ Alidina is a JUNO-nominated DJ, artist and producer based in Vancouver and Surrey. His music centers around Hip-Hop and R&B, but also includes Top 40, EDM, and South Asian Influences. His Juno nomination was for Best Indigenous Album on a project he co-produced for Sto:lo Nation R&B singer, Inez, called Sing Soul Girl, which also won several Western Canadian Music Awards.
The song A-SLAM produced for Vancouver-based pop artist Elise Estrada was supported by Creative BC, charted in the top 50 on Adult Contemporary Radio, and was featured on Stingray HitList, alongside Calvin Harris and DJ Khaled.
Programs supported: Career Development
Book a grant coaching session with Hussein.
Mizzy Mejia is a seasoned professional in the music industry, making waves as an Artist Manager, Booking Agent, and Production Manager at Land Back Records. He also holds over two decades of experience on the business side of the music industry. As a former touring artist, he brings a unique perspective to both his role at Land Back, and his work as a grant coach, understanding the challenges and nuances faced by musicians firsthand.
Beyond his involvement with Land Back Records, Mizzy also shines as a Production Manager with Timbre Concerts, where his expertise in event planning and management serves artists and audiences in equal measure. With a passion for nurturing talent and a keen eye for emerging trends, Mizzy remains a driving force in shaping the careers of artists, and the future of the music industry.
Programs supported: Career Development, Live Music, Music Company, Music Industry Initiatives
Book a grant coaching session with Mizzy.
Nancy Lee, aka Which Nancy, is a music curator, media artist, event organizer, artistic mentor, and music video director based in Vancouver. Nancy is a co-founder of electronic music and art collective Chapel Sound and CURRENT, an intersectional and multidisciplinary initiative featuring artistic and educational programming for women, nonbinary artists and artists of colour. They work with artists and organizers in DIY and underground spaces, and genres encompassing rap, RnB, club, experimental electronic, ambient, bass, house and techno.
Over the past few years, Nancy has received grants from Creative BC, the City of Vancouver, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the BC Arts Council. They are keen to offer support for emerging artists, BIPOC and queer artists, artists from immigrant families, and artists whose first languages are not English. Nancy is also a JUMPSTART consultant with Music BC, and offers grant coaching support all year round.
Photo by May Troung.
Additional languages: Mandarin, and limited Cantonese
Programs supported: Career Development, Live Music, Music Company, Music Industry Initiatives
Book a grant coaching session with Nancy.
Sage McBride lives in Fernie, BC, where she is a member and managing partner in the alternative folk rock band Shred Kelly. She is a grant writer through her company Saem House Creative, and has experience writing successful grant applications for Amplify BC, FACTOR, Music BC, and Radio Starmaker.
Sage also works as a booking agency assistant at Midnight Agency. She is passionate about collaboration, and excited to be a grant coach for the Kootenay Region.
Programs supported: Career Development, Live Music, Music Company
Book a grant coaching session with Sage.
Teon Gibbs is an artist, label owner and is the founder of one of Canada’s fastest growing music conferences, “Do It For The Culture”. Teon demonstrates innovation and tenacity, all the while trying to push the needle of culture and art.
Programs supported: Career Development
Book a grant coaching session with Teon.
Lorna Ledoux is a music manager for Joey Stylez and Stre$$ed Street artists as well as Ble$$ed Street Studios. She is a Métis woman, currently residing at Haida Gwaii, BC. She was born and raised in northeastern AB and northwestern Saskatchewan. She moved to Saskatoon where she completed Indigenous Studies and Law at the University of Saskatchewan. After a whirlwind career in management and elected leadership for Indigenous governments, Lorna put her energy, creativity, professional/life experience and education to work in the music industry, handling the day to day management for Joey and the companies she is responsible to.?
Programs supported:? Career Development, Music Company
Learn more about past Career Development recipients:
- Browse the list of 2021/22 Career Development recipients
- Browse the list of 2022/23 Career Development recipients
- Browse the list of 2023/24 Career Development recipients
- Read creative profiles on past Career Development recipients
Additional funding resources and opportunities:
- Grant Resources for B.C.-Based Artists *last updated July 31, 2024.
Searchable industry resources – vendors, grant writers, collaborators, and creative partners that can suppport your proposed project – all hosted on Creative BC’s Knowledge Hub:
Free, on-demand mentorship and support with representation, promotion, marketing, grants, production, and other elements of a successful music career, offered by industry professionals.
- JUMPSTART Foundations (offered by Music BC)
Please contact Creative BC staff with any questions about these resources.
If you have questions, or need assistance, please contact:
Joseph Bardsley | Analyst, Music Programs
Phone: 236-455-6232
Email: jbardsley@creativebc.com
Guidelines
Application Materials
Career Development Project Plan Template 2024/25
Prepare your responses to each question in this Word document, and attach it to your application form.
Resources
Career Development Tip Sheet + FAQ 2024/25
Check out some of the most frequently-asked questions about this program as you plan your application.
Career Development Scoring Sheet 2024/25
Review the Career Development scoring criteria here.
Career Development Info Session Slides 2024/25
Review the Career Development info session side deck here.
Career Development Sample Application Form 2024/25
Use this MS Word version of the application form to draft your responses, and share them with your project team.
Final Report Information for Recipients
The deadline for 2023/24 Career Development final reports is December 1, 2024.
Contact staff with any project changes prior to submitting your final report.
Career Development Guidelines 2023/24
Career Development Final Report (online form)
Career Development Cost Report (Excel download)
Logo Use Approval Form (online form)