Canada Music Fund (CMF) modernization program
Montreal, QC, Canada
Canadian Music Fund supports career development for Canadian artists
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 23, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Musicaction
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Global Financing Envelope under the Canadian Music Fund provides financial assistance up to $600,000 per business to support commercially viable music businesses in developing the careers of Canadian artists. Eligible activities include the production and marketing of sound recordings, music tours and showcases, music publishing, artist management, and business development.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant supports various activities aimed at promoting the development of Canadian artists' careers by funding production, marketing, and management efforts. Eligible projects focus on ensuring diverse and dynamic artistic expressions across multiple platforms.
- Production, promotion, and marketing of Canadian sound recordings.
- Tour-related activities and musical showcases for Canadian artists.
- Publishing activities for Canadian musical works.
- Artist management activities aimed at career development.
- Business development initiatives to discover new artists and expand markets.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria that focus on the applicant company's structure, its previous experience, and its commitment to Canadian musical activities.
- The applicant must be a company incorporated under Canadian provincial or federal laws, owned and controlled by Canadians, with its head office and principal place of business in Canada.
- The company must be engaged in activities funded by the program, including the production and marketing of Canadian sound recordings, tours and showcases of Canadian artists, artist management, and the publishing of Canadian musical works.
- An investment of at least $200,000 in eligible activities in line with the company's investment history is required.
- The company must have completed a minimum of three years of continuous operations as a Canadian music business.
- Financial viability must be demonstrated, including a minimum gross income of $250,000 from music-related activities, excluding public funding sources, in the most recent financial statement.
- Eligible activities must have been carried out for at least two Canadian artists under contract, with at least one eligible sound recording released in the last two years, or, for music publishing, a minimum of 15 new eligible Canadian musical works must be supported.
- Applicant must have fulfilled its contractual obligations regarding copyright payments.
- The company must demonstrate financial need for planned investments in Canadian artist development, music promotion, and audience expansion, with restrictions on profit margin, income, and dividend payments as detailed in the program guidelines.
- The company must be in good standing with the Crown and third-party administrators like FACTOR and Musicaction.
- Legal deposit receipts from Library and Archives Canada for eligible Canadian sound recordings released during the fiscal year are required.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Canadian companies investing in the production and promotion of sound recordings, tours and musical showcases of Canadian artists, the publication of Canadian musical works, and the management of Canadian artists are eligible to apply. Eligible businesses include record labels, music publishing companies, and artist managers with the necessary skills to advise and actively promote their artists. Companies involved in live performance production activities may also be eligible if they are responsible for all aspects of their artists' live performance activities, provided the relationship with artists is contractually enshrined. Additionally, businesses must demonstrate a history of filing applications with Musicaction or plan eligible investments related to French-language projects for 2025-2026.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The grant has specific eligibility criteria focused on the Canadian music industry, but certain businesses or activities are indirectly mentioned as not qualifying based on their operation outside the program’s funded activities. The limitations ensure funds support Canadian music businesses' strategic development.
- Businesses not incorporated under Canadian provincial or federal laws.
- Companies not owned and controlled by Canadians.
- Businesses with their principal place of business outside Canada.
- Companies primarily engaged in entertainment and service agency activities.
- Businesses that have not completed three years of continuous operations in the Canadian music industry.
- Organizations with income including public funding sources exceeding $20 million in a fiscal year.
- Company structures where non-Canadians exert de facto control.
- Activities related to musical works or performances that do not comply with specified eligibility requirements (e.g., works not registered with a collective rights management society).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant encompass a range of activities related to the development and promotion of Canadian artists, as well as the production, marketing, and touring of their music.
- Salaries and social security contributions and/or professional fees for artists, musicians, and related professionals.
- Fees for artists, musicians, choristers, directors, producers, and executive producers.
- Studio fees and costs related to sound recording including mastering and cover creation.
- Manufacturing costs considered as marketing expenses for sound recordings.
- Cost of participation in co-productions with producers or artists.
- Equipment rental necessary for production and performance activities.
- Travel expenses (transportation, accommodation, and meals) adhering to government business travel rates.
- Production expenses related to tours and musical showcases.
- Promotional expenses including media, advertising, press relations, and promotional materials.
- Management and artist development activities including training, creative support, and artist promotion.
- Promotional showcases and trade fairs participation costs.
- Expenses related to the creation of musical audiovisual content apart from video clips.
- Expenses for the enhancement of the artist’s web and social media presence.
- Expenses related to finding new artists and market development.
- Administrative expenses including website maintenance, data and asset management tools, and software subscriptions.
- Capital expenditures with direct links to artist development, can be up to 10% of the contribution amount.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to Canadian companies incorporated under Canadian provincial or federal laws. Eligible companies must have their head office and principal business and decision-making office located within Canada.
- Companies with a head office in any province of Canada.
- Businesses established under Canadian federal jurisdiction.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Understand Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your business is a Canadian company, incorporated under provincial or federal laws.
- Verify that your business engages in eligible activities such as production, promotion, tours, showcases, management, and publishing for Canadian artists.
- Confirm that your business meets financial and operational criteria, including investment levels and minimum income thresholds.
- Step 2: Collect Necessary Documentation
- Prepare recent financial statements, audited if necessary, prepared by a CPA.
- Gather incorporation documentation and legal agreements related to your business and artists.
- Ensure you have receipts for legal deposits issued by Library and Archives Canada for sound recordings.
- Step 3: Draft Business Plan and Forecast Investments
- Create a detailed business plan highlighting your strategy for developing Canadian artists' careers and expanding audiences.
- Include forecasts for eligible investments over the funding period.
- Step 4: Request Application Form
- Email Musicaction at the provided contact to request the Global Financing Envelope electronic form.
- Step 5: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the electronic application form thoroughly, including all required sections and attachments.
- Attach supporting documents such as financial statements, receipts, and the president's letter authorizing the application.
- Step 6: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form electronically by the deadline of January 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Step 7: Confirmation and Record-Keeping
- Receive confirmation of your application submission.
- Keep all records and documents related to the application for at least five years for potential audits and evaluations.
grant_single_labels|contact
514 861-8444
Apply to this program
Empowering Canadian Music Businesses Through Strategic Funding
This grant offers financial assistance to Canadian-owned music businesses to support the development of Canadian artists and promote their work globally. With a focus on revenue and investment, eligible companies can receive funding for activities including production, tours, and music publishing.
Detailed Overview of the Canadian Music Fund's Strategic Grant Program
The Canadian Music Fund (FMC) has structured this annual grant program to nurture the thriving music industry in Canada, ensuring that Canadian artists can flourish both locally and internationally. Designed to be a significant pillar of the modernization efforts within Canada’s music funding ecosystem, the grant focuses on enabling commercially viable music businesses to enhance their capacity for audience reach and impact. By aligning with the modernization mandate, this initiative supports a robust model that intertwines revenue growth with investment strategies.
The grant is intended for Canadian music businesses, encompassing record labels, music publishing companies, and artist management firms, all of which play critical roles in artist development. These entities must demonstrate financial soundness and a track record of investments in Canadian artist development. The funding is meticulously apportioned based on the demonstrated ability to increase audience engagement, past and forecasted investments, and strategic alignment with FMC's priorities.
One of the key elements of this grant is its competitive nature, allocating funds based on rigorous evaluations. Entities are evaluated on their net income from eligible activities over recent fiscal years and their business plans for future investments that align with FMC's goals of artist career advancement and audience expansion. This strategic approach ensures that funds are awarded to those with the most potential for significant impact.
The funding envelope can significantly contribute up to $600,000 per business, capped at $800,000 for affiliated groups, with contributions aiming to cover up to 50% of eligible expenditures. While these figures represent the upper limits, actual awarded amounts depend on annual budget constraints and applicant evaluations. This structure not only promotes financial responsibility but also ensures that the funds catalyze meaningful developments.
Eligibility for this grant extends to those companies that have demonstrated substantial engagement with Canadian sound recordings, tours, and the management of Canadian artists, underscoring the importance of long-term commitment to Canadian cultural heritage in music. Additionally, emphasis is placed on projects that advocate for French-language initiatives, reinforcing the program's alignment with national cultural policies.
Applicants are expected to present comprehensive documentation, including past financial statements prepared by certified accountants, to validate their financial history and operational integrity. The process is meticulously designed to ensure transparency and accountability, which forms the backbone of distribution and fund management.
As beneficiaries engage in this funding process, they commit to rigorous reporting requirements to highlight accountability and the transformational impact of financial support on their ventures. This includes delivering tangible outcomes against set objectives, thus creating a systematic approach to measuring success and ensuring that funded projects align with public policy goals such as diversity and accessibility.
The program underscores a commitment to not only support business ventures but also to drive forward the agenda of cultural inclusivity, ensuring support spans various demographic groups within Canada’s vibrant musical tapestry. By focusing on sustained investment in new and existing artists, the grant fosters continued innovation and growth within the sector, creating avenues for Canadian artists to thrive on a global scale.
