The Government of Canada has announced they will be allocating an additional $70 M in new COVID-19-related funding to support the live music sector.
The funds will be allocated over two years, with $70 M to help provide stability for the commercial music sector via the Canada Music Fund (CMF) during the 2021–22 season. An additional $20 M will be made available in renewed annual funding in 2022–23 and 2023–24 to current CMF recipients.
These funds are in addition to the $15 M Support for Workers in Live Arts and Music Sectors Fund and the recently announced Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors Reopening Fund.
That fund includes $7 M for the CMF in 2022–23 to support music festivals not funded through other departmental programs.
“To ensure that our favourite songs will soon be heard again out loud, and that our stories will travel again across this great country and abroad, our government is immediately making available the necessary funds to revive music performances,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The resilience of Canadian arts and culture communities is tremendous, and it is our duty to support it.”
The live music industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors in Canada. As a vital economic driver, the extend of the damage has yet to be fully assessed.
The government has been particularly interested in supporting artists and arts organizations expand reach in the worldwide digital music market.
“By acting now and investing in the live music sector, the Government of Canada is protecting good jobs in our Canadian creative and cultural industries, for decades to come,” said Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. “It makes sense to help our live music sector, as our artists, technicians and entrepreneurs are among those affected the most by the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t wait to enjoy live music together again, and I’m sure neither can you!”
COVID Cash For The Arts
- In the 2021 Budget, the government committed $1.9 B in funding to the arts, culture, heritage and sports sectors.
- On June 28, 2021, the government announced $500 M over two years in continued support for arts, culture, heritage and sport sector organizations, through the Reopening Fund and the Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors.
- It also announced $181.5 M in funding for the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage for COVID-19-safe events and arts programming in 2021–22.
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