How Canadian music is funded has become something of a controversial topic in recent years, with music-streaming services agitating furiously against a levy on their revenues to fund local content and creators.
Here’s a story that’s less likely to ruffle feathers however. Factor is a nonprofit organisation that provides investment support to Canada’s music industry, from individual musicians to companies in the sector.
It has just announced two new programs that will invest CAD $2m (just under $1.5m at current exchange rates) into Canada’s live-music sector specifically. The Promoter Program and Festival Program’s titles are self-explanatory in terms of who they will support.
Factor said the aim is “to share investment risk with companies that have a proven track record of successfully presenting Canadian artists and keeping diverse Canadian voices and communities at the centre of the live music experience”.
“At a time of rising costs and increased competition from foreign-owned companies, this support will enable our promoters and festivals to continue bringing Canadian artists to stages across the country and marketing those performances effectively, helping artists grow their audiences and careers,” said Factor boss Meg Symsyk.
Applications for both programs will kick off on 30 April, with a deadline of 11 June.
