MUSICACTION

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

The Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Canada Music Fund, has contributed $5 million to MUSICATION's funding. Private radio broadcasters have contributed more than $1 million. Furthermore, annual payments of more than $500 000 are received from recording artists and producers.

Programs
Applications must be submitted by April and September of each year. Projects are approved in June and November of each year.

In February 2002, MUSICACTION signed a new contribution agreement with the Department of Canadian Heritage pertaining to the administration of two Canada Music Fund programs:

• Collective Initiatives; and
• New Musical Works, which consists of four components:
  • album production;
  • marketing;
  • direct sales; and
  • supporting emerging talent.

These new programs replace all previous ones.

NEW MUSICAL WORKS
Album Production
This component involves funding for an original album or a re-recording. Re-editions and compilations are not eligible. It is aimed at recording artists and producers. Equity loans of up to $50 000 are awarded in the case of direct approval loans and up to $35 000 in the case of loans recommended by juries.

Assistance is automatically granted to writers and composers of musical albums financed by MUSICACTION. Such assistance is aimed at fostering the creation of an original repertory of music and author-composer collaboration. Eight hundred dollars is awarded for each original song or composition, with $400 for the lyrics and $400 for the music. Assistance is limited to the Canadian portion of the work.

Marketing
This component is aimed at supporting the domestic and international marketing of an album through production of a video clip, promotional activities and showcasing events. It is intended for artists, production companies and record producers. Priority is granted to albums funded by MUSICACTION and the Canada Council for the Arts. An equity loan of up to $50 000 may be granted for each domestic project and up to $50 000 for each international project.

Direct sales
This component pertains to direct domestic and international sales at trade fairs and private meetings aimed at winning an album distribution deal. It is aimed at record companies, producers, managers, and music distributors and publishers. Assistance consists of financial participation in travel, accommodation and event registration expenses.
 
Supporting Emerging Talent
This component is designed to finance the production of a demo for artists early in the careers who have not yet recorded any albums. It also supports the promotional activities related to this demo and provides further training to artists so they can become more professional in their field and become known to recording industry players. It is specifically aimed at artists living outside Quebec and artists who have won the various musical competitions with which MUSICACTION is associated. Financial assistance may be awarded of up to $9 000 per project or up to $3 000 per production, promotional, backup or training activity.

COLLECTIVE INITIATIVES
This program is aimed at stimulating the development of the Canadian sound recording industry and supporting the regional, domestic and international presence of Canadian companies and artists. It is intended to finance activities aimed at achieving these goals. Assistance is provided in the form of a financial participation. These broad-based initiatives take the following forms:

• Promotional activities: awards of industry prices, peer recognition events, specialized singing events, trade fairs, collective virtual initiatives.
• Training activities: seminars, conferences, singing workshops.
• Direct sale activities: participation of non-profit professional associations in trade fairs, seminars and conferences.

Application Dates
Applications will be accepted during two periods in fiscal 2003-2004:

• The first pertains to applications filed by September 23, 2003;
• The second pertains to applications filed by Mars 24, 2004.

The file must be duly completed, signed and submitted to:
MUSICACTION
432 Sainte-Hélène Street
Montreal QC  H2Y 2K7
Telephone: (514) 861-8444 / 1-800-861-5561
Fax: (514) 861-4423

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Ontario Contact(s):
See National Contact.