How much funding can be received?

The grant program aims to support the national commercialization of a sound recording through promotion and production of visual images, with a maximum funding amount of $50,000 per project. Eligible activities include image production, showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours, integrated into a promotion strategy. The program is open to self-producing artists, francophone Canadian artists, record labels, and sound recording producers who own the exploitation rights of the recording in Canada.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is intended for the national commercialization of a sound recording by supporting promotion and image production. Musicaction can support the commercialization of a sound recording up to two years after its release.

Promotion of sound recordings
Image production, including videoclips
Showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The following are the eligibility criteria for companies applying for this grant:

The company must own the rights to exploit the sound recording in Canada.
The company cannot have more than one project accepted and in progress with Musicaction at the same time.
The company must not be in default of payment.
The company must provide all required documents to create or update a master file, including financial statements that meet current standards.
If the company is applying for non-production funded sound recordings and is subject to the evaluation grid, it must provide proof of distribution agreements and demonstrate a history of achievement in initial commercialization activities.
The company must not submit the same application to both FACTOR and Musicaction.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is intended for the national commercialization of a sound recording, offering support for promotion and image production. Eligible applicants include those who possess the rights to exploit the sound recording in Canada and meet certain criteria.

Self-producing artists
Artists from the Canadian Francophonie
Record labels
Producers of sound recordings

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Specifically, those that have received a global funding envelope under the Individual Initiatives component are ineligible to apply.

Companies that have received a global funding envelope under the Individual Initiatives component

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include costs incurred from the date of the application submission, as long as they meet Musicaction's market price and documentation requirements. Certain travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses related to promotional activities can also be considered eligible.

Costs relative to eligible activities deemed acceptable by Musicaction from the date of application submission.
Travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses, adhering to specific parameters like maximum room rates and transportation cost assessments.
Production of images related to promotional strategies, within set financial limits.
Showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours, within specified budget constraints.
Per diems for meals, local transportation, and miscellaneous expenses during travel or stay.
Carbon credit expenses tied to eco-friendly travel options.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are primarily in Canada. Specifically, the applicants and the artists targeted by the application must be Canadian. The sound recording and its promotion must also comply with Canadian and Francophone content standards, and have a deal with a Canadian distribution company.

Applicants and artists must be Canadian.
The grant is for the Canadian Francophony artists.
Compliance with Canadian and Francophone content standards is required.
Sound recordings must have a distribution deal with a Canadian company.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The grant has specific eligibility and evaluation criteria that applicants must meet to receive funding. The evaluation is based on professional environment, quality of the marketing plan, and project performance.

The applicant and the targeted artist must be Canadian.
The request must generally be submitted before the start of activities.
The recording and the track targeted by a radio tracking or video clip must meet Canadian and Francophone content standards.
The recording must have a distribution agreement with a Canadian physical or digital distribution company.
The project must not contain any elements of violence, sexual exploitation, obscenity, indecency, pornography, hatefulness, defamation, or any illegal nature as defined by the Criminal Code.
The recording should have a minimum of six tracks or 20 minutes of musical content.
For requests for increased funding, the recording must be marketed no later than 18 months before the request.
For projects not funded at production and submitted for evaluation, the recording must be commercialized within 12 months of the application, or evidence must show initial commercialization efforts like radio plays or shows.
The applicant must not be in default of payment.
If the applicant is a business entity, it must provide necessary documentation, including financial statements complying with current standards for financial statements.
The same application cannot be submitted to both FACTOR and Musicaction.
Reissues and compilations are not allowed, although re-recordings are permitted.
A live recording is eligible if marketed 18 months following the previous recording’s release and if the marketing file is closed.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Complete the Application Form
Fill out the application form in Excel format.
Ensure the form is fully completed and accurately named (Applicant - Artist - CN).
Step 2: Submit Application Electronically
Submit the completed application form electronically to the specified email: inscription@musicaction.ca.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Documents
Submit relevant supporting documents such as management contracts, press, radio, and web promotion service contracts or work schedules, estimates and synopsis of planned music videos if applicable.
Step 4: Ensure Eligibility
Ensure the application and project fulfill all eligibility criteria set by the program including Canadian citizenship, distribution agreements, and project content requirements.
Step 5: Verify Financial Capability
Show financial capability to complete the project. Be ready to provide access to financial books if required.
Step 6: Await Evaluation and Approval
Projects funded at production are subject to direct approval, while others are evaluated based on professional environment, marketing plan quality, and project performance.
Step 7: Address Financing and Obligations
Adhere to the conditions regarding financing, including supplying digital copies, logos, and credits as required by the funding conditions upon project approval.
Step 8: Submit Completion Report
Submit the completion form within two months after the end of the commercial activities, with attached required supporting documents and proofs of expense as outlined in the parachèvement section.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

This grant is designed to support the national commercialization of a sound recording by providing assistance in promotion and production of images. Additional financial aid can be requested for promotional activities to increase the album's visibility and contribute to the artist's career development.

Maximum aid per project is $50,000, granted in phases.
Specific limits apply for image production like music videos: $20,000 in total, with the video clip itself limited to $15,000.
Support for showcases, opening acts, shows, and tours are capped at $25,000.
Canadian content and Francophone content standards must be met.
Applicants may submit one project at a time but cannot have more than one ongoing project with Musicaction.

grant_single_labels|contact

epaquette@musicaction.ca

514

Apply to this program

Musicaction Sound Recording Commercialization Grant

Musicaction offers a financial grant aimed at the national commercialization of sound recordings, supporting promotion and image production for Canadian artists and record producers. Eligible applicants can receive up to $50,000 per project to enhance the visibility and career development of their musical releases.

Comprehensive Guide to the Musicaction Sound Recording Commercialization Grant

The Musicaction Sound Recording Commercialization Grant is designed to support the promotion and distribution of Canadian sound recordings within the national market. It provides financial assistance to artists, record labels, and producers seeking to enhance their visibility and boost the commercial success of their musical projects. This guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria, the application process, and key considerations for prospective applicants. ### Eligibility and Application Criteria To qualify for this grant, applicants must be artistic self-producers, Canadian francophone artists, record labels, or producers of sound recordings who hold the exploitation rights in Canada. Importantly, only one project can be submitted at a time, and the applicant must not currently have another accepted Musicaction project in progress. The grant is specifically aimed at projects not benefitting from global funding envelopes in the Individual Initiatives stream. ### Maximum Funding and Coverage The Musicaction grant covers up to $50,000 per project, distributed across various phases to provide sustained support through the promotion cycle. The funding may be increased subject to the applicant adhering to stipulated limits and timelines, allowing for further promotional activities to maintain album visibility and foster artist career growth. **Funding Limits for Specific Activities:** - **Image Production:** Up to $20,000 for video clips or other integrated promotional strategies, with video clip assistance capped at $15,000. - **Showcases, Opening Acts, Performances, and Tours:** Up to $25,000; support granted for these activities under Stream 2 of the National Commercialization Program will count towards the maximum aid available under Stream 1. The grant covers no more than 50% of the acknowledged project expenses, ensuring that Musicaction's support is complemented by other financial contributions. ### Eligible Projects and Activities Projects eligible for this funding must involve a Canadian and francophone sound recording complying with Canadian content requirements. The recording should either have an existing market agreement with a Canadian distributor or must be fully prepared for distribution. A minimum of six tracks or 20 minutes of music is required, and live recordings are eligible if released within 18 months following the previous recording's market launch. ### Evaluation and Approval Process Musicaction directly approves projects funded for recording production based on their relevance and the expected impact on the artist's career development. Non-funded projects undergo evaluation with criteria focusing on the professional environment, the quality of the marketing plan, and project performance metrics. Regardless of the approval pathway, financial capability to complete the project is crucial, and applicants must provide access to financial records for verification. ### Admissible and Inadmissible Expenses Expenses are generally admissible from the application submission date, following acceptance by Musicaction. They align with market prices and cannot exceed 25% of total admissible costs if supplied by the applicant or any related business. Certain travel costs, accommodations, and per diems are covered according to predefined rates and must adhere to guidelines specifying the nature of admissible transport and lodging. **Inadmissible Expenses Include:** - Cash-based payments - Service exchanges - Mechanical reproduction and audio-visual licenses - Costs linked to web hosting and bandwidth - Recoverable taxes, fines, or legal fees ### Application Submission and Completion Prospective applicants must submit a complete Excel application form electronically, including supporting documents like management contracts, service agreements, and evidence of initial promotional success. Upon acceptance, a revised budget forms a binding part of the funding contract, and adherence to financial reporting requirements, including expenditure records, is mandatory. ### Recognitions and Conditions Funding recognitions must include visible acknowledgment of Musicaction and the Government of Canada in promotional materials. For digital-only releases, logos must appear on web visuals, artist websites, and any additional funded promotional materials. Financialing restrictions prevent overall project funding from exceeding total project costs by 100%. ### Conclusion The Musicaction Sound Recording Commercialization Grant offers an invaluable opportunity for Canadian artists and producers to elevate their projects within the national market, providing strategic financial support for promotion and career advancement. By understanding the detailed requirements and preparing a thorough application, potential applicants can effectively harness this funding to further their musical endeavors.