Career Development

Who is eligible?

The Career Development program is open to emerging and established artists residing in British Columbia. These artists must have demonstrable experience in recording and/or performing, earning income from their music activities, and promoting their work. Also eligible are music companies such as record labels, provided they are legal entities in B.C. Artists representing systemically excluded groups, such as Indigenous Peoples, Black, People of Colour, People with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, are encouraged to apply. Artists applying can do so as individuals or through a music company.

Who is not eligible

• Recording studios or record producers.
• Production companies or video production companies.
• Managers of artists or music businesses.

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. 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.
• Self-payment for work completed in-house, up to $1,500 for emerging artists and up to $3,000 for established artists. This may include self-recording, graphic design, ad campaigns, administration, and other work related to the project.
• Gear purchases, software, or other equipment necessary to complete the project, up to 10% of the maximum grant in their artist category.

Eligible geographic areas

• Artists must have resided in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada.
• Underrepresented regions within B.C., including Cariboo, Kootenay, Nechako, North Coast, Northeast, Thompson/Okanagan, and Vancouver Island and Coast (excluding the Capital Regional District / City of Victoria).

• The Career Development program closes its application intake on September 11, 2024, and results are announced on December 18, 2024.
• Info sessions are available, and participation in these is encouraged for applicants seeking guidance on the application process.
• One-hour grant coaching sessions are provided at no cost during intake periods for new and previously unsuccessful applicants who are part of systemically excluded communities.
• Grant coaching is specifically available for emerging and established artists from groups such as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse communities.
• The program emphasizes the support of systemically excluded groups and requires a minimum of 50% of project expenses to be B.C.-based.
• The program provides support to artists and companies who are committed to maintaining justice, equity, decolonization, diversity, and inclusion.
• Applicants are encouraged to use environmentally sustainable practices, and resources for sustainable production are available through Creative BC’s Reel Green initiative.
• Creative BC is committed to a respectful workplace environment and expects compliance with its Code of Conduct, which prohibits harassment, discrimination, and violence.
• Public funding can cover up to 100% of eligible budgets for Indigenous artists.
• Successful applicants will receive 75% of their fund upon signing the funding agreement, with the remaining balance provided on the submission of a final report.