I know I’m not alone in admitting that I’ve typed “Grants for Canadian musicians” into Google more times than I can count. If you’ve ever done the same… and then gave up after a few site clicks because it was all way too confusing, this is for you.
THE GOOD NEWS
There is money on the table.
Real money for independent musicians at every stage of their career.
THE LESS GOOD NEWS
Every grant has its own (very) specific eligibility rules, timelines, application language, and jargon that can make you feel like you’re writing an application in a different language.
To get started, let’s look at the big two:
FACTOR
FACTOR is wonderful. They are probably the most artist-friendly entry point to the world of grant funding. In my experience, the application guidelines are clear, and the support staff are very helpful! FACTOR funds recording, touring, showcasing, radio promotion, music videos, and more.
In other words, FACTOR grants are perfect for musicians actively releasing music, playing shows, and building a career. You don’t need to be topping the charts, but you do need some proof of traction. Two flagship programs are Artist Development and Touring.
One unique element of FACTOR is the Artist Rating. When you create a profile in FACTOR, you’ll automatically receive a “General” rating. There is nothing wrong with hanging out in the General tier forever, but if you want to move up, there are options.
General Tier
Artist 2
Artist 3
Artist 2-3 profiles unlock a few other grants that General Tier artists can’t apply for, and they have the opportunity to get larger grant amounts for the grants everyone is eligible for.
If you have decided that you have enough traction to apply for the next artist level, there is an annual review period, and the opportunity to request a mid-year review. What moves the needle? Concert dates, streaming & sales history, sync placement, radio charting, etc. Even if you think you’re performing at an Artist 2-3 level… upgrades are NOT automatic. You are competing against every other artist in FACTOR’s system. Top-scoring profiles get moved up and artist level based on how many artists FACTOR can fund.
Recommendation: Keep your FACTOR profile updated!! Your profile is your resume, and you’d be surprised how fast everything adds up.
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)
As the name suggests, CCA operates on a much wider scope, including all art forms and not just music. When applying for a CCA grant, you’re pitching your entire artistic practice. If you’re ready to make the effort, it’s worth it.
CCA funds creation, professional development, residencies, and touring - with a heavier focus on uniqueness, vision, and artistic merit beyond streams or release schedule. FACTOR wants metrics, CCA wants meaning.
CCA offers application assistance; it’s worth the extra pair of eyes and maybe even some tips while you’re working through your application!
Recommendation: Take some time to identify your artistic identity & vision. If you have this down, it might be a great time to look into CCA grants.
Provincial Grants
While CCA and FACTOR are Canada-wide, each province has their own collection of cash stowed away for artists.
Province/Territory | Funding Organization(s) |
|---|---|
British Columbia | BC Arts Council Music BC |
Alberta | Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Alberta Music |
Saskatchewan | SaskMusic Saskatchewan Arts Board Creative Saskatchewan |
Manitoba | Manitoba Arts Council (MAC) Manitoba Film & Music |
Ontario | Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Ontario Music Fund (OMF) |
Quebec | SODEC |
New Brunswick | New Brunswick Arts Board Music NB |
Nova Scotia | Arts Nova Scotia Music Nova Scotia |
PEI | Music PEI PEI Council of the Arts |
Newfoundland & Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) MusicNL |
Northwest Territories | NWT Arts Council |
Nunavut | Nunavut Department of Culture & Heritage |
Yukon | Music Yukon |
Ruin Your Bar - Paige Rutledge
Here’s what I’m listening to this week
Ruin Your Bar by Paige Rutledge
Paige sparkles on stage (literally and figuratively). Her vibrant personality and rhinestone studded guitar elevate her already commanding presence.
✏️ General Tips for Grant Applications
Plan ahead: Are you looking at funding for touring, recording, or travel for showcases? Grants can take months to process, and the organization needs to see that you have your sh*t together. This is not emergency funding.
Know your budget: Most grants want to see that you’re investing in yourself as well. Often, they will cover a percentage of the total project costs, understanding that you’re covering a specified amount already.
Record everything: Keep running tabs on all shows, streaming data, press mentions, and document everything as it happens! You need evidence supporting your application, and there’s nothing worth than trying to deconstruct your last 2 years of activity in one go.
Be thoughtful about your application: Don’t “spray and pray” - choose grants that align with your upcoming projects and are suited for your phase. Read the guidelines more than once, mirror their language, and get others to review your application prior to submission. Applying for everything at once with one general application is probably not the strategy here (some grants even mandate a specified time period in between applications, so you’re not spamming them).
Next time you’re on Instagram scrolling through tour posts or festival lineups… check the bottom of the graphics for logos. There’s a pretty good chance you’ll see grant foundation logos everywhere now that you’re looking for them.
Thanks for your attention! I know it’s a big ask these days.
If I missed something important, or if you have a recommendation on what I should cover next, just hit reply ⌯⌲
-Lauren (saying it into the mic 🎤 )
