Record in BC Program for International Artists – Canada

This program attracts established out-of-province and international artists to B.C. to record, increase music tourism in B.C., and create jobs for B.C. recording professionals.

Priorities 

• Increase and sustain earning potential and economic activity for B.C. studios, recording professionals, and music companies.
• Attract national and international business to B.C.’s recording industry.
• Support a broad range of artists, including those led by systemically excluded groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.

Funding Information

• Grant Amounts: $10,000 – $30,000
• Recipients must spend a minimum of $20,000 on their project to remain eligible for funding.

Eligible Activities

• This program supports established out-of-province and international artists coming to record at a B.C. recording studio or engaging with a B.C. studio or producer remotely. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, singles, EPs, and LPs in the form of original music, or interpretations of existing music. This program does not support songwriting, commissions, or the creation of new works prior to recording. Recordings supported through this program must be intended for commercial release.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must meet all the following minimum criteria to be eligible:
  • Artists must live outside of B.C. In the case of a band or group, more than 50% of the permanent members must be non-B.C. residents. Groups that are 50/50 must apply through the Career Development program.
  • Artists must be established in their music career, and exhibit many or all the following milestones:
    • Substantial earnings from music-related activities including touring, licensing, publishing, streaming, and album sales. It is strongly recommended that artists are earning a minimum of $30,000 CAD per year to be competitive as an established artist.
    • Be supported by a team of industry professionals, such as a label, manager, booking agency, publisher, etc.
    • Track record of media exposure in the form of awards, radio play, or other press.
    • Have produced an extensive body of recorded work that has been commercially released with a strong, recognizable style and sound.
    • Tour history with national and/or international tour dates, with affiliated press.
    • Demonstrate a substantial audience on social media, streaming services, or at live performances.
• Applications must be submitted by a business. Artists can apply through their own music company, or the application can be submitted by their record label. Managers, studios, or production companies are not eligible to apply but can support the application process for the artist or the artist’s label as a grant writer. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • The primary business activities of the company must include music.
  • The applicant company must have a business number and be a legal entity in the form of a sole proprietorship, registered partnership, incorporated company, or not-for-profit society. The business must have a valid statement of business registration, certificate of incorporation, W-9 (US-based applicants), or GST number (Canadian applicants).
  • Financial interest in the recording as a rights holder or licensee.
  • A signed contract between the artist and the company that outlines the business relationship is required if the applicant company is not owned by the artist.
• Recording Businesses must meet all the following minimum criteria to be considered eligible:
  • Be a legal entity in the form of a registered sole proprietorship, partnership, incorporated company in British Columbia, or in Canada.
  • Be located in British Columbia.
  • Have an established history of recording and producing commercial releases for other artists.
  • Be active and have recorded music with a variety of external clients within the past 12 months.

For more information, visit Creative BC.