Deadline: October 01, 2025
The Amplify BC Live Music program supports B.C.-based live music presenters, funding live music performances for audiences and artists and enhancing music tourism throughout B.C.
The focus areas of the program include growing capacity, sustainability, and innovation within B.C.’s live music segment, increasing economic activity and jobs for B.C. musicians, live music companies, and industry professionals, supporting music tourism and performance opportunities for artists and audiences, and supporting a broad range of live music presenters, including presenters from systemically excluded groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.
This program has two funding streams that applicants can apply to: one for live music events through the Presentation stream and another for capacity-building activities through the Business Development stream. Applicants must be B.C.-based festivals, venues, concert presenters, or promoters that demonstrate an ongoing and sustained commitment to presenting live music and engagement within the local music community. Eligible activities under the Presentation stream include music festivals, concert series, year-round programming, and one-off live music events occurring between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
Grant amounts range from $2,000 to $50,000 per applicant company, funding up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a company cap at $50,000 across both funding streams. Applicants are required to contribute to project financing and seek other revenue sources as public funding from combined sources cannot exceed 75% of the project budget, except for companies owned by Indigenous peoples where funding can equal up to 100% of the eligible budget.
Eligible expenses include programming costs such as artist fees and travel, production costs like staging and lighting, labor costs, event-related costs including permits and insurance, sustainable event costs such as eco-friendly power sources, marketing, and health and safety costs. Ineligible expenses include operating costs not specific to the event, alcohol, touring or artist-owned shows, research or commissioning of new works, award shows, fundraisers, events asking artists to play for free, grant writing fees, and other non-project-specific expenses.
Applicants must submit an online application by October 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT, and complete a Self-Identification form by October 15, 2025. Applications will be evaluated by Creative BC staff and a panel of industry professionals based on criteria including idea, strategy, company capacity, performance opportunities, economic impact, and justice, equity, decolonization, diversity, and inclusion.
Recipients are required to complete the funded project by December 31, 2026, and submit a final report detailing the impact of the funding along with invoices and proof of payment. The advance of funds will be released in two drawdowns according to the terms of the Agreement between Creative BC and the recipient.
Creative BC is committed to supporting a healthy ecosystem free from harassment and discrimination and encourages environmentally sustainable practices within the music industry.
For more information, visit Creative BC.
