As first signaled this April in Budget 2021, today the Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced details of the $70 million of funding, over the next three years, for Canada’s live music sector and artists.
The Government of Canada will deliver $50 million in new COVID-19 related funding to the live music sector and to maintain the stability of Canada’s funding system for commercial music in 2021-22 through the Canada Music Fund (CMF), bridging the period between the current pandemic restrictions and a sustainable recovery.
An additional $20 million will also be delivered in renewed annual funding over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to current CMF recipients. This continues and enhances support for the promotion of Canadian artists, export activities, and skills development. It will also provide critical stability for the Canadian-owned music industry, which has experienced significant loss of revenue over the course of the pandemic.
“To ensure that our favourite songs will soon be heard again out loud, and that our stories will travel again across our great country and abroad, the Government of Canada is immediately making available the necessary funds to revive music performances,” said Minister Guilbeault. “The resilience of the Canadian arts and culture communities is immense, and it is our duty to support it.”
“FACTOR deals directly with the artists and music entrepreneurs on a daily basis, and we know how essential the need is right now,” responded Meg Symsyk, President and CEO of FACTOR. “We applaud Minister Guilbeault and Government of Canada for this crucial funding to an otherwise thriving music sector. Our team is committed to getting these program funds to recipients as quickly as possible.”
FACTOR is grateful the Government of Canada appreciates the live music sector was among the hardest hit by the forces of this pandemic and shares the view that artistic and cultural sectors are not only major economic drivers and employers but play vital roles in strengthening communities all over Canada.
The application window and guidelines for FACTOR’s Support for the Live Music Sector program will be announced via factor.ca, social media channels, newsletter, and our affiliate organizations.