Closed
Record in BC
Last Update: March 4, 2026
British Columbia, Canada
Attracts artists to record in B.C. studios with local professionals
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Record in BC program provides a maximum funding amount of $30,000 to attract established out-of-province and international artists to record at B.C. studios, enhancing music tourism and creating jobs for local recording professionals. Eligible activities include sound recording projects with a B.C. producer or B.C. studio.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Selling in a new market
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- $ 30,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ community
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- National
- International
Activities funded
- Sound recording projects with a B.C. producer or B.C. studio for singles, EPs, and LPs of original music or interpretations of existing music.
- Engagement with a B.C. studio or producer, either in-person or remotely, by out-of-province or international artists.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be established out-of-province or international artists.
- Artists must live outside of B.C.; for bands, over 50% of the members must be non-B.C. residents.
- The applicant must demonstrate substantial earnings from music-related activities, ideally a minimum of $30,000 CAD per year.
- The artist must be supported by a team of industry professionals.
- Applicants must show a track record of media exposure and have a significant body of commercially released work.
- Applicants must have a history of touring nationally or internationally and a substantial audience.
- Applications must be submitted by a business entity, such as the artist’s music company or label, that is legally registered.
- The applicant company must have a business number and be a legal entity in the form of a sole proprietorship, registered partnership, incorporated company, or not-for-profit society.
- The company must have financial interest in the recording and a signed contract with the artist, if not artist-owned.
- The recording business involved must be a registered entity in British Columbia or Canada, located in British Columbia, with an established history of producing commercial releases.
- All applicants and associated parties must be in good standing with Creative BC.
- Recordings must be intended for commercial release.
Who is eligible?
- Record labels from outside of British Columbia, collaborating with B.C. producers or studios.
Who is not eligible
- Managers, studios, or production companies are not eligible to apply, although they may support the application process for the artist or the artist’s label as a grant writer.
- Recording businesses must be located in British Columbia to be eligible. Those outside B.C. are not eligible.
- Companies that do not have a business number or are not a legal entity (i.e., sole proprietorship, registered partnership, incorporated company, or not-for-profit society) cannot apply.
- Applicants lacking a financial interest in the recording as a rights holder or licensee are ineligible.
Eligible expenses
- Recording, mixing, and mastering activities with B.C. studios and producers, including studio rental, gear rentals, producer fees, music arrangement fees, or session players for hire.
- Accommodation and per diems for artists coming to B.C. to cover meals, with a maximum per diem of $80 per day per person and a maximum eligible B.C. accommodation rate of $400 per room per night.
- Flights, gas, taxis, or other travel costs while working on the recording in B.C.
- Album artwork if created in B.C.
- Short-term pre-production facility rental or rehearsal fees in B.C. for hired players.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia, Canada
Selection criteria
- Track Record of Artist.
- Economic Impact.
- Label and Team.
- Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- Budget.
How to apply
1
Application Preparation
- Prepare a detailed budget using the provided template on the Creative BC website.
- Obtain a letter of intent from the B.C. producer or B.C. studio involved in the project.
- Collect a Statement of Business Registration or Certificate of Incorporation.
2
Online Application Form
- Complete the online application form available at the Creative BC website.
- Ensure all required information and documents are ready for submission.
3
Supplementary Materials
- Provide a signed contract between the artist and the label, if applicable.
- Submit evidence of matching funds, such as private investment or other grants.
- Attach vendor quotes for major budget items.
- Include expressions of support that demonstrate the artist’s track record from external parties.
4
Submission of Application
- Submit the online application form and ensure all supplementary materials are included.
- Ensure each band member and B.C. producer or studio completes the Self-ID form sent via email.
5
Confirmation and Review
- Receive results of the application via email within a month after submission.
- Contact Creative BC staff prior to or after submitting if assistance is needed.
- Ensure all members complete the required forms to finalize the application process.
Additional information
- Applicants are encouraged to contact Creative BC staff for support if they have a disability or accessibility need, allowing an additional two weeks for application preparation.
- Applications will be discussed exclusively with the applicant and the contacts listed in the application form.
- Creative BC aims to fund a diverse range of recording studios and producers, allowing each eligible producer to be part of a maximum of three approved projects per fiscal year.
- Final reports, cost reports, and invoices with proof of payment must be submitted by December 1, 2025, to receive the remaining grant amount.
- The applicant must ensure B.C. studios meet the program's eligibility criteria as not all studios have been pre-assessed by Creative BC.
- Artists are prohibited from changing producers or studios after accepting the funding offer unless it is approved by Creative BC.
- Environmental sustainability is encouraged, including actions like booking non-stop flights and choosing airlines with carbon offset programs.
- The final report completion must include online submissions and placement of approved logos from Creative BC and the Province of BC.
- Commercial release of recordings may occur up to 12 months after the final report submission.
Contacts
gloes@creativebc.com
604-730-2253
