Amplify BC supports the music industry with $1.5M through Creative BC for Career Development and Record in BC projects

Vancouver, BC (April 13, 2022) – Creative BC proudly announces 121 recipients of Amplify BC grants that will advance the development of local talent across the province’s music and sound recording industry. The $1.5M is being delivered through two programs, with the Career Development program providing $1,213,124 to 104 B.C.-based emerging and established artists, and the Record in BC program providing an additional $294,876 to 17 projects to catalyze business development for the province’s world-class studios and talented producers.

Both programs are part of Amplify BC, the Province’s music fund administered by Creative BC and renewed in April 2021 with $22.5M in funding over three years as part of B.C.’s $10-billion COVID-19 response.

In FY2021/22, the Career Development program had the highest demand in the history of music funding through Creative BC with 584 applications from B.C.-based creators, the majority of which were first-time applicants. Applications were scored according to program priorities, including economic impact, intellectual property and audience development, and support for a broad range of artists. As part of Creative BC’s commitment to equity and diversity, the program also took measures to support prioritization of applicants from groups experiencing systemic barriers to industry participation. The 104 successful recipients of the Career Development program were selected by Creative BC and a panel of industry professionals representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions, and demographics:

Career Development FY2021/22 Recipients

Applications to the Record in BC program for out-of-province artists were evaluated by Creative BC based on the priorities of the program: attracting established artists to the province to create economic activity and jobs for B.C. studios, recording professionals, and music companies; building the reputation of B.C.’s recording industry; and supporting a broad range of artists. This program also took measures to prioritize applicants from underrepresented groups:

Record in BC FY2021/22 Recipients

Learn More:

Amplify BC: https://creativebc.com/programs/amplify-bc
StrongerBC: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/

Quotes:

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport:

“Providing these grants is a crucial part of rebuilding B.C.’s music industry. We know that people working in the music sector have endured incredible financial hardship and this funding recognizes the extra support artists and businesses need to reboot their careers and make progress on their music-related projects as we paddle together towards economic recovery in this province.”

Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film:

“This funding will help B.C.’s incredible music industry to thrive once again. I’m proud of our government’s investment of $22.5 million over three years through Amplify BC, which has made these grants possible. This support is making a difference for musicians, studios and producers. It is enabling them to move beyond the turmoil of the past two years, and providing access to opportunities for the future.”

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC:

“We are proud of the diversity, quality, and number of talented artists applying to Amplify BC’s Career Development program, focused on the creation of B.C.-based intellectual property,” said Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC. “As artists and audiences await their return to the stage, the business activities of sound recording, music video creation, and marketing continue. Through the Record in BC program, we can also ensure that our province’s brand as a recording destination remains strong.”  

“Sabai” | Career Development Grant Recipient:

“Without this funding, I would have to wear too many different hats trying to write, produce, mix and master my own songs. This grant allows me to work with people who specialize in what they do best like mix/mastering engineers, songwriters, vocalists, session players. As a result, I’ll be able to create better records. It also creates more jobs and exposure for everyone who works on the Sabai project, and we all grow together as a team.”

Jane Aurora, Producer, Capsule Studios | Record in BC Grant Recipient:

“Record in BC is a great opportunity for Capsule Studios to host high-calibre out-of-Province artists. Sarah Burton is an exceptionally talented singer song-writer based in Toronto, and this funding will see her latest album project come to life at both Afterlife and Capsule Studios. In collaboration with some of B.C.’s best A-list session players and engineer Erik Nielsen, I look forward to producing a quality album of Sarah’s material.”

Media Contacts:

Karin Watson
Creative BC
media@creativebc.com
604-736-7997

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About Creative BC:

Creative BC is an independent society created and supported by the Province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy.

These activities include: administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation.

The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental and creative potential both at home and globally.

Website: www.creativebc.com