Closed
Source verified July 31, 2026
Career Development
Music career support for B.C. artists
Latest source updateLast Update: July 31, 2026Latest change: Career Development is now open and shows the 2026/27 application window, refreshed application materials, new info sessions, and updated staff contact information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 31, 2026
Latest change: Career Development is now open and shows the 2026/27 application window, refreshed application materials, new info sessions, and updated staff contact information.
Career Development reopened with 2026/27 dates
Career Development now shows an open status with Applications Open on July 29, 2026 at 10:00 am PDT and a Deadline of September 9, 2026 at 4:00 pm PDT. The page also adds 2026/27 info sessions on Wednesday, August 19 from 2 PM to 3 PM PDT and Wednesday, September 2 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM PDT, plus updated registration links and slides. The application package was refreshed for 2026/27, including the Application Form, Project Plan, Scoring Sheet, Budget Template, Sample Application, Tip Sheet FAQ, and updated guidelines. The contact section now highlights Joseph Bardsley alongside Leslie Ken Chu, with updated email contact details shown on the page.
Funding available
$ 1,000 - $ 30,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Emerging and established B.C. artists pursuing active careers in music
See full eligibility
Overview
Career Development, part of Amplify BC, supports the economic growth and career development of emerging and established B.C. artists with funding up to $30,000. It supports sound recording, music video production, and marketing activities that strengthen music careers.
Find open grants for your business
Explore open funding programs that match your business and project.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop an online presence
- Access new markets
- Reach a new target audience
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Artists / creatives
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Sound recording projects for singles, EPs, or albums
- Music video production, including performance videos and promotional video content
- Marketing initiatives such as photography, websites, publicity, and social media promotion
Documents Needed
- Online application form
- Project Plan (.docx or .pdf) or a three-minute audio or video clip that addresses all Project Plan questions
- Budget (.xlsx)
- Completed Creative BC Self-Identification Form for each band member associated with an application
- Video treatment for traditional music videos; Business Statement of Registration, Certificate of Incorporation, or GST account if applying as a music company or for applicants applying as a business; signed contract between the company and artist if the applicant is not the artist
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Emerging and established B.C. artists pursuing active careers in music
- Musicians, composers, bands, and musical ensembles
- Music companies such as record labels may apply on behalf of artists on their roster
Who is not eligible
- Recording studios
- Record producers
- Production companies
- Video production companies
- Managers
Eligible expenses
- Expenses related to sound recording, marketing and video production, such as studio rentals, gear rentals, producer fees, video expenses, publicists, and marketing assets
- Catering or per diems for artists recording outside of their city or hometown requiring travel within B.C.; maximum per diem is $80 per day per person, and maximum eligible B.C. accommodation rate is $400 per room per night
- Flights, gas, or other costs for production teams to travel to B.C. to record or film
- Childcare expenses for studio days, video production days, or other activities directly related to the project; short term pre-production rehearsal studio or fees for hired players; grant writing fees for artists with self-declared disabilities or English language barriers, up to $300 for successful applications
- Artists may pay themselves up to $1,500 as emerging artists and up to $3,000 as established artists per application for work completed in-house; artists may claim gear purchases, software, or other equipment necessary to complete the project up to 10% of the maximum grant in their artist category; GST for applicants who do not have GST accounts
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Touring and/or other business travel costs, and any travel occurring outside of B.C.
- Fees associated with competition or contest entries, and the creation of merchandise intended for sale
- Commissions, composer fees, songwriting, or music creation occurring prior to recording
- Showcase fees, live performance, online streaming events, ongoing rehearsal space rentals, venue rentals, parties, receptions, or alcohol
- Music lessons or tuition fees, musical instruments, subscriptions, membership fees, or reoccurring expenses prior to this project; expenses paid in cash; grant writing fees; legal fees; in-kind revenues or expenses; work that has been paid up front but has not been completed by December 1, 2026; major expenses not included in the approved budget and incurred prior to Creative BC approval; and any work that contains elements of serious or gratuitous violence, sexual violence or exploitation, obscene, indecent or pornographic content within the meaning of the Criminal Code, or elements which are libelous or in any other way unlawful
Eligible geographic areas
- B.C.
Selection criteria
- Program priorities
- Economic impact of the project
- The applicant’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the project
How to apply
- Submit the online application on Creative BC’s website.
- After submission, each band member will receive an automated Self-ID form to complete.
- Applicants with a disability or accessibility need may contact Creative BC for 1:1 support in preparing an application.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications will be evaluated by Creative BC staff and a panel of industry professionals representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions, and demographics.
- Once applications are scored, Creative BC may make adjustments to fill gaps based on representation, region, and type of applicant, and may prioritize applicants who have yet to receive significant funding through its programs.
- The review period is approximately 12 weeks after the deadline, and all applicants will be notified by email.
- Feedback will be available by request.
- Recipients are required to complete a final report detailing the impact of the funding and provide invoices and proof of payment for all expenses by December 1, 2026; the recipient is responsible for issuing all payments related to the project and providing invoices with valid proof of payment which includes a bank statement, credit card statement, processed cheque, wire transfer, or e-transfer confirmation.
Additional information
- Creative BC encourages applications from systemically excluded groups, including Indigenous Peoples (First Nations [Status/Non-Status], Métis, and Inuit), Black, People of Colour, People living with one or more Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and other groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Career Development Program
What is the Career Development?
Career Development, part of Amplify BC, supports the economic growth and career development of emerging and established B.C. artists with funding up to $30,000. It supports sound recording, music video production, and marketing activities that strengthen music careers.
How much funding can be received?
Career Development Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $30,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Career Development program?
To be eligible for the Career Development program, you must:
B.C.-based emerging or established artists pursuing active careers in music
Artists must have resided in B.C. for at least 200 of the 365 days before the deadline
Artists must demonstrate music experience; individual applicants need a valid social insurance number, and music companies must have music as their primary business activity and provide a signed contract with the artist
What expenses are eligible under Career Development?
Sound recording projects for singles, EPs, or albums
Music video production, including performance videos and promotional video content
Marketing initiatives such as photography, websites, publicity, and social media promotion
Who can I contact for more information about the Career Development?
You can contact Creative BC by email at lchu@creativebc.com or by phone at 604-736-7997 ext. 321.
Where is the Career Development available?
The Career Development program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Career Development a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Career Development is a Grant and Funding