How much funding can be received?

The grant program focuses on the national commercialization of sound recordings by supporting promotional activities and image production, with a maximum funding amount of $50,000 per project. Eligible activities include the production of images, showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours, provided they are integrated into a promotion strategy.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides financial support for promoting and producing images for the national marketing of sound recordings in Canada, up to two years post-release. Financial aid is delivered in a structured manner to ensure comprehensive funding for various promotional activities.

Aid is capped at $50,000 per project, disbursed in several distinct phases.
The applicant may request an increase in aid for additional promotional activities, provided it stays within the maximum limit and timeframe.
Image production funding offers a maximum of $20,000, with video clip aid limited to $15,000.
Aid for show performances, premieres, showcases, and tours is capped at $25,000, and funds from the National Marketing Program Stream 2 are considered in this calculation.
Financial support cannot exceed 50% of accepted costs or actual eligible costs if lower.
An applicant can access up to $100,000 across several specific programs, including album production and artist career development.
Initial payment of 75% of the awarded amount is provided upon contract signing, with subsequent disbursements after expense evaluations.
The final payment is contingent upon reviewing the completion report.
The total government funding for a project, including this grant, must not exceed 100% of the total project cost.
Mandatory display of MUSICACTION and CANADA logos on project materials, with associated promotional recognition guidelines.
Claimed costs must be documented and submitted for verification, with incomplete claims resulting in payment adjustments.
Original invoices and proof of payments must be retained for five years and be available for audit upon request.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports promotional activities for the national commercialization of sound recordings in Canada. It aims to enhance the visibility and career development of artists through various promotional strategies.

Production of images such as music videos as part of a promotional strategy.
Participation in showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and the scope of the proposed project.

The applicant must be a Canadian artist or Canadian francophone artist, a record company, or a producer of sound recordings.
The applicant must own the exploitation rights for the sound recording in Canada.
The applicant can submit only one project at a time and can have only one ongoing project accepted by Musicaction.
If the applicant is a company, they must provide all required documents to create or update a master file, including financial statements meeting current standards.
The applicant and the artist must be Canadian citizens.
The sound recording must comply with Canadian and francophone content standards and have an agreement with a Canadian physical or digital distribution company.
The sound recording must have at least six tracks or twenty minutes of musical content.
Projects with promotional material containing violence, sexual exploitation, or illegal content are not eligible.
Applicants must not be in default of payment.
Projects cannot be submitted to both FACTOR and Musicaction; anglophone music projects should be directed to FACTOR.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Self-producing artists
Canadian Francophonie artists
Record labels
Sound recording producers

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant restricts certain companies from applying based on their funding status and project type. These exclusions ensure that funding is directed towards new and strategic promotional initiatives.

Companies benefiting from a global funding envelope in the "Initiatives individuelles" component.
Projects submitted simultaneously to both FACTOR and Musicaction, particularly those related to anglophone music.
Record labels or production companies submitting reissues and compilations, except for re-recordings.
Projects containing violent, sexually exploitative, obscene, indecent, hateful, defamatory, or otherwise illegal content.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include costs directly associated with the commercialisation and promotion of a sound recording.

Production of images, including music videos or other captures, integrated into the promotional strategy (up to $20,000, with a limit of $15,000 specifically for music videos).
Showcases, opening acts, concerts, and tours (up to $25,000).
Accommodation expenses during eligible activities, with a maximum reimbursable amount of $150 per night in commercial establishments or $50 per night in private non-commercial accommodations.
Transport expenses, including airfare (economic class), train and bus tickets (upper class if available), car rental (intermediate class), and private vehicle usage (maximum of $0.55 per kilometer for requests after May 9, 2024, and $0.50 for requests before that date).
Per diem allowances covering meals, local transport, and incidentals during travel, with a maximum of $100 per day.
Costs associated with carbon credit compensation for flights.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is specifically targeted towards Canadian entities involved in the sound recording and music industry. The focus is on supporting Canadian artistic talent in their national marketing efforts.

Applicants and the artists must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects under the Commercialisation Nationale - Volet 1 – Promotion grant require applicants to demonstrate the potential impact and feasibility of their proposed activities.

The relevance and potential impact of the project in promoting the artist's career development.
The quality of the commercialization plan and its alignment with professional standards.
The professional environment surrounding the project, supporting its potential success.
For non-funded recordings: the demand must include proof of initial commercialization efforts or recent market presence.
Capacity of the applicant to financially manage and complete the project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for the grant under Commercialisation nationale - Volet 1 – Promotion:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Ensure the applicant is a Canadian self-producing artist, Canadian Francophone artist, record company, or sound recording producer.
Ensure you hold the exploitation rights to the sound recording in Canada.
Confirm the project is not funded under "Initiatives individuelles" within the same program.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Complete the application form (Excel format).
Gather supporting documents like management contract, contracts or schedules for press, radio, and web promotion, proposals and synopses for video clips.
For non-financed recordings, include production and distribution contracts, distribution reports for the past three years, song ranking proofs, show production contracts (if any), list of authors/composers with citizenship status, and other related documents.
Prepare a digital copy of the sound recording and mechanical reproduction licenses.
Step 3: Application Submission
Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents via email to inscription@musicaction.ca.
Name the application file appropriately as "Applicant - Artist - CN" before submission.
Ensure the application reaches by the specified deadline: April 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EDT) for non-production funded albums.
Submit any additional required documents such as the legal deposit of the sound recording by the deadline.
Step 4: Post-Submission
Complete the revision of the project's budget as part of the funding contract, obtaining prior authorization for major modifications.
Ensure that all promotional materials and communications feature the MUSICACTION and CANADA logos and acknowledgment, as required.
Manage finances so that the total government-sourced funding does not exceed 100% of project costs.
Ready supporting materials and documentation for the completion report due two months post-activity.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant allows a maximum aid of $50,000 per project, which is usually granted in several distinct phases.
Marketing and promotional activities must adhere to Canadian content and francophone regulations.
Debts or defaults in payment disqualify the applicant from receiving the grant.
Documentation like contracts, promotional activity proofs, and detailed financial statements are required during application and completion of the grant project.
Grants from this source cannot be combined with funding from FACTOR for the same project.
Successful applicants must acknowledge Musicaction and the Government of Canada across promotional materials and platforms.

Apply to this program

Supporting Canadian Sound Recording Promotion

The "Commercialisation Nationale - Volet 1 - Promotion" grant supports Canadian artists, self-producers, and music producers by funding the national promotion of sound recordings. It ensures the visibility and development of artists' careers through carefully structured financial assistance.

Detailed Insight into the "Commercialisation Nationale - Volet 1 - Promotion" Grant

This grant, offered by Musicaction, is a strategic initiative designed to bolster the national presence of Canadian sound recordings by providing comprehensive support in promotional activities and image production, crucial for elevating an artist's visibility and career advancement. It targets Canadian artists, independent producers, and record companies, emphasizing those who possess the exploitation rights within the country. By investing in the marketing efforts, this financial aid not only enhances the promotional reach but also contributes to building a sustainable career for the artists involved.

The maximum financial support awarded through this program is $50,000 per project. This funding is tailored to be dispensed through various phases aligned with strategic promotional activities. Among them, specific budget constraints apply, such as a cap of $20,000 for image production and $25,000 for showcases, opening acts, and tours. The intent is to subsidize up to 50% of eligible costs, provided the expenses align with market prices and adhere to admissibility criteria.

This grant's strategic importance lies in its capacity to support Canadian content and francophone sound recordings, encouraging projects that comply with cultural standards and contribute to the domestic music landscape. Eligible applicants must ensure their projects do not contain objectionable content and meet the stipulated legal requirements for Canadian and francophone content, supporting artistic endeavors that align with national values.

Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as the professional environment, commercial plan quality, and project performance potential. Importantly, the program prohibits dual applications with FACTOR while welcoming re-recorded projects and live recordings meeting specific conditions. Additionally, there is a vital requirement that the funded recordings possess a distribution agreement with a Canadian physical or digital distributor.

The extensive eligibility criteria ensure that only projects demonstrating significant artistic merit, effective management, and clear operational plans receive funding. Moreover, expenses are generally eligible from the application date, allowing for robust planning and execution of promotional activities. The stringent documentation requirements further ensure transparency and accountability, with applicants needing to provide distribution reports, contracts, and evidence of commercial activities such as radio airplay or performance events.

Ultimately, "Commercialisation Nationale - Volet 1 - Promotion" serves as a pivotal tool for Canadian artists, encouraging them to expand their market reach while maintaining cultural and national integrity. This grant not only provides financial resources but also fosters an ecosystem where artists can thrive, contributing to the richness and diversity of Canada's cultural heritage. By participating in this program, artists can not only enhance their projects but also gain stronger footholds in both the national and international markets, ensuring that Canadian music continues to resonate widely.