Music Company

• Grant amounts range from $2,000 to $60,000, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
• The program supports projects running from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
• Public funding from all sources must not exceed 75% of the total project budget.
• There is no public funding cap for applications from companies owned by Indigenous Peoples.
• Applicants will receive a 75% advance upon signing the funding agreement, with the remaining 25% released after the final report is completed, contingent on eligible final expenditures.

• The applicant must be a B.C.-based corporation, registered business, or sole proprietorship with a valid GST number, filing B.C. tax returns.
• Canadian companies with operations in B.C. that file B.C. tax returns are eligible.
• B.C. or Canadian not-for-profit organizations with headquarters in B.C. can apply.
• Applicants must have primary business activities in the music industry, such as record labels, music publishers, artist managers, booking agencies, recording studios, etc.
• Companies from related sectors proposing a multimedia, cross-sector, or technology project impacting B.C.'s music industry are eligible.
• Start-ups and new companies must register their business upon successfully receiving a grant.
• Non-music companies may apply for music-related projects benefiting B.C.'s music industry, requiring letters of support from the music industry.
• Applicants from systemically excluded groups (Indigenous Peoples, Black, People of Colour, Disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+) are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must not primarily exist to benefit one artist or client or to present live music.
• Previous recipients must have submitted all final reports for past funding by the application deadline and be in good standing with Creative BC.

Who is eligible?

• Record labels.
• Music publishers.
• Artist managers.
• Booking agencies.
• Recording studios.
• Companies proposing multimedia, cross-sector, or technology projects with direct implications for B.C.'s music industry.

Who is not eligible

• Companies that primarily exist to benefit one artist or client. Artists are not eligible for this program and should apply for funding through the Career Development program.
• Companies that primarily exist to present live music, which should apply for funding through the Live Music program.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for new or expanded company staff positions, including paid internships and apprenticeships, with a plan for how the positions will be sustained after the grant.
• Training, courses, and consultants to grow knowledge, build processes, and develop skills for employees in a specific area.
• Training, planning, and policy development related to communicable disease plans, emergency preparedness, risk assessment, respectful workplace, accessibility, equity and inclusion.
• Marketing and advertising campaigns.
• Green initiatives such as eco-friendly power sources, energy-efficient renovations and products, reduction of physical waste or emissions, and other expenses related to creating a more sustainable business.
• Equipment purchases and upgrades for software, hardware, gear, technology, accessibility.
• Construction, building materials, and any other costs related to renovations or infrastructure improvements.
• GST for applicants who do not have GST accounts.
• Existing resources directly related to the project to support a portion of the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Province of British Columbia, Canada
• Regions within British Columbia including Cariboo, Kootenay, Nechako, North Coast, Northeast, Thompson/Okanagan, and Vancouver Island and Coast (excluding the Capital Regional District/City of Victoria)

• Idea, Strategy & Approach
• Company Capacity
• Economic Impact
• Investment in B.C. Talent
• Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Innovation

• The final payment for funding is contingent upon the completion and approval of the final report by the recipient.
• Creative BC may conduct adjustments in the selection process to ensure diverse representation across different regions and applicant types within the B.C. music industry.
• The program emphasizes priorities like justice, equity, decolonization, diversity, and inclusion in its project evaluation and delivery.
• Creative BC encourages all applicants to adopt environmentally sustainable practices within their project plans.
• Creative BC expects all associated with the Music Company program to adhere to a respectful workplace culture, as per the Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct.
• Creative BC offers grant coaching and info sessions to help support applicants in preparing their applications.