Musicaction — Artist career, skills and business development

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for this grant are Canadian music companies that are involved in activities directly related to artists or songwriters-composers in order to develop their careers. Applicants must meet certain conditions such as having completed at least one year of continuous activity as a Canadian music company, being incorporated or registered under Canadian provincial or federal laws, and having a head office and business office in Canada. Specific eligibility requirements also include financial criteria and contractual relationships with Canadian artists. Additionally, businesses with a focus on public policy priorities related to diversity and inclusion are also eligible, provided they meet certain criteria.

Who is not eligible

This grant is designed for companies involved in the music industry and has specific restrictions based on the company’s status and main activities. The limitations mainly ensure that the funding is aimed at developing the careers of artists and author-composers, aligning with the grant's objectives.

• Companies not operating within the music industry.
• Businesses not incorporated or registered under provincial or federal Canadian laws.
• Enterprises where artists are shareholders.
• Organizations involved in non-music related activities like merchandise sales or non-admissible capital expenditures.
• Entities that have not resolved their obligations with Canadian Heritage or other federal departments, including administrators FACTOR and Musicaction.
• Agencies focused on show sales (spectacle agencies) as their main activity.
• Businesses that are beneficiaries of the Global Funding Envelope Program.

Eligible expenses

This grant covers expenses directly related to developing the careers of artists and songwriters, entrepreneurial skills, and business development activities.

• Salaries and social charges directly related to the proposed projects.
• Professional fees for specific contracted services related to the projects.
• Non-recoverable advances such as bonuses or other forms of advances.
• Song plugging activities for eligible artists and songwriters.
• Promotional showcases and professional fairs.
• Workshops and training, including writing workshops or co-writing sessions.
• Rental of creative space and equipment.
• Demo production and pre-production costs for recordings or performances.
• Production of musical audiovisual content for the web other than music videos.
• Web and social media costs such as artist website design and updates.
• Promotional materials like posters.
• Media, advertising, and press relations costs.
• Printing of promotional recordings not intended for sale.
• Styling and press photos expenses.
• Translation costs for various materials including websites and promotions.
• Travel expenses including transport, accommodation, and meals.
• Various other expenses necessary for realizing the artists’ career development plans.
• Business and entrepreneurial skill development expenses, with limits on percentages of funding.
• Research and contract acquisition activities, including associated travel expenses.
• Market development activities, including associated travel expenses.
• Promotional tools for the business like brochures and business cards.
• Representation fees (capped at 5% of contribution).
• Event and professional meeting registration fees.
• Professional training fees like workshops and conferences.
• Administrative expenses up to 15% of the contribution including salaries, professional fees, and operational tools.
• Acquisition of data and asset management tools.
• Subcontractors related to eligible activities.
• Capital expenditures directly linked to career development, up to 10% of the contribution.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically designed for Canadian musical companies with particular emphasis on companies incorporated and controlled within Canada. Eligibility relies on the incorporation and operational bases being situated within Canada under Canadian law.

• Incorporation and control within any province or territory of Canada.
• Headquarters and business operations based in Canada.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The grant must be complementary to other aids provided by Musicaction Foundation programs and is not meant to replace expenses covered by those programs.
• The total government funding for the project, including from Musicaction, cannot exceed 100% of project costs.
• A revised budget is part of the funding contract, and any significant change requires pre-authorization by Musicaction.
• An initial payment of 90% is made upon contract signing, with the final payment after reviewing the final report.
• All marketing and promotional materials must distinctly feature the MUSICACTION logo and Canada wordmark.
• Beneficiaries must keep records and documents for five years for audit or evaluation purposes.
• Payment proof is required to be maintained for five years and includes checks, bank statements, and credit card statements.