Music BC Artist Grant Program

🎁What Benefits Are Offered?

Funding to support artists and music businesses for domestic and international travel related to showcases, touring, and business development.

📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?

📝Steps to ApplySource

• Read the guidelines carefully.
• Determine which travel grant to apply for.
• Complete the online application form.
• Upload required documents including tour schedule, performance confirmations, marketing plan, one sheet, and budget form.
• Submit the application before the deadline.

🌐Application PortalSource

https://musicbc.org

📤Submission MethodSource

online

📅Key DatesSource

October 2, 2025Intake #1 Opens

January 9, 2026Intake #1 Closes

March 12, 2026Intake #2 Opens

May 15, 2026Intake #2 Closes

🔄Intake TypeSource

fixed-deadline

📄What Documents Are Required?

✅Required DocumentsSource

• Tour Schedule
• Performance Confirmations
• Marketing Plan
• One Sheet
• Completed Budget Form

📎Optional DocumentsSource

• Prior Initiative Funding Pitch

📐Format RequirementsSource

PDF only, max 10MB

📥Templates AvailableSource

• Budget Template

✉️Supporting LettersSource

Confirmation of release date required for the recording being supported.

💰What Expenses Are Eligible?

🧾Eligible ExpensesSource

• Airfare (economy-rate flights)
• Ground travel (cabs, uber, train, ferry, parking, etc.)
• Accommodation (max $300 per room, per night)
• Per diems at a max of $100 per representative per day
• Event registration fees (purchased directly from the festival/event)
• Communication expenses (phone, mail, and data charges directly related to this initiative)
• Fuel
• Vehicle rental
• If using your own vehicle, per km vehicle rate is allowed at $.58/km
• Travel Insurance
• Company promotional materials

🚫Ineligible ExpensesSource

• Costs related to the production/presentation of live music
• Costs related to the production/recording of music
• Costs associated with the production of receptions, mixers, networking events, luncheons, award shows, fundraisers, galas, and parties
• Costs related to an individual designated as essential crew in a Tour or Showcase application for the same event or trip
• Costs associated with independently organized songwriting trips
• Monetary value of airline tickets or upgrades purchased with points
• Capital purchases
• Alcohol
• Operating costs including rent, utilities, regular maintenance, corporate overhead, or salaries
• Subscriptions, membership fees, or recurring expenses
• Expenses paid in cash
• In-kind expenses or donated services
• Grant writing fees, legal fees, management fees, business registration fees, or fees for financial statements
• Repeat trips within a three-month period to the same city
• Major expenses not included in the approved budget and incurred prior to Music BC approval

📏Expense CapsSource

Funding contributions are limited to 75% of the total eligible expenses, less GST/HST, and to a maximum of $2,500 CAD per application.

💳Payment ModelSource

reimbursement

⏪Retroactive Expenses EligibleSource

No

🤝Is Matching Funding Required?

🔀Matching RequiredSource

Yes

📊Matching RatioSource

25% minimum

🏦Eligible Matching SourcesSource

• cash
• government grants
• additional funding sources

📚Stacking RulesSource

Public funding sources may equal but not exceed 75% of the eligible project expenses

🛡️Proof of Matching RequiredSource

Proof of payments can include bank statements, returned cheques, e-transfer or wire transfer confirmations.

📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?

🗓️Reporting FrequencySource

final only

📑Reporting RequirementsSource

• report detailing the outcome of their funding
• measurable results
• business contacts
• actual and potential deals secured
• proof of payments for all eligible expenses

🔍Audit RequirementsSource

Proof of payments can include bank statements, returned cheques, e-transfer or wire transfer confirmations.

📢Branding RequirementsSource

Recipients are required to acknowledge funding assistance on all public print, digital and online materials.

🗄️Record Retention PeriodSource

7 years