Premier Announces $15M For BC Music Fund

On February 11, 2016, Premier Christy Clark announced a $15-million grant toward the creation of a BC Music Fund to help support various activities in the music industry.

The announcement was made at a Music Canada event in Vancouver that included remarks by Michael Bublé, president of Music Canada Graham Henderson, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce Jon Garson, and chair of Music BC Scott Johnson.

“BC is one of Canada’s leading centres for music with talented musicians in every corner of the province,” said Premier Clark. “Our record labels, recording studios, concert venues and music festivals draw people from all over the province, the country and the world. Music develops culture, promotes talent and diversifies our strong and growing economy.”

The announcement coincided with the release of a report on BC's music industry by Music Canada, BC’s Music Sector – From Adversity to Opportunity, which encourages action on the part of government and stakeholders to boost the province's music sector.

The BC Music Fund will be administered through Creative BC and will help support activity in the music sector in the province in order to diversify BC’s economy, stimulate foreign direct investment, enhance music tourism, stimulate the creation and retention of jobs and encourage increased activity in regional centres. The government release states that support will focus on services toward sound recording, live music performances, distant location tour development, music tour strategy and industry development. Read the full release here.