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Application Deadlines: October 1, 2025
Program Summary:
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. Funding will also support the capacity of the live music sector through business development activities.
This program has two funding streams, with separate guidelines and application forms.
A) Live music presenters can apply for live music events through the Presentation stream.
B) Live music presenters can apply for capacity-building activities through the Business Development stream.
Live music presenters will apply for funding for a project, which is a set of eligible activities and related expenses that the applicant is requesting funding for.
What It Funds:
Presentation Stream: This stream provides eligible applicants with funding for live music events, including:
- Music festivals
- Concert series
- Year-round programming
- One-off live music events
Business Development: This stream provides eligible applicants with support for business development activities that directly support the viability, capacity, and sustainability of live music events, producers, and presenters. This funding stream is intended to support new or expanded activity, not ongoing operational expenses.
The types of projects eligible for this funding stream include, but are not limited to:
- Investment into creating sustainable and environmentally-friendly events and venues.
- Capital infrastructure improvements
- Audience development and market research
- Improvements to business processes, policies, and procedures
- Development of new products, services, or revenue streams
- Staff growth and development
- Development of knowledge and skills
Grant Amount:
Grant Amounts: $2,000 – $50,000 per applicant company (across both funding streams), funding up to 50% of eligible expenses.
Eligible Applicants:
Presentation Stream:
Applicants must be B.C.-based festivals, venues, event producers or presenters that meet the following criteria:
- Is a B.C.-owned and controlled corporation, registered business, or sole proprietorship with a valid GST number, that files B.C. tax returns. Applicants may also be not-for-profit or charitable organizations with headquarters in B.C.
- New companies and individuals acting as sole proprietors can apply but will be required to register their business upon successfully receiving a grant. New businesses are eligible to apply for funding.
- Core business activities include presenting live music in B.C., or fills a gap in their regional community (outside of Metro Vancouver or Victoria’s Capital Regional District)
- Demonstrates an ongoing and sustained commitment to presenting live music and engagement within the local music community
- Assumes risk in programming, producing, and promoting live music performances in B.C.
Business Development:
Applicants must be B.C.-based festivals, venues, event producers, or presenters that meet the following criteria:
- Is a B.C.-owned and controlled corporation, registered business, or sole proprietorship with a valid GST number, that files B.C. tax returns. Applicants may also be not-for-profit organizations or charitable organizations with headquarters in B.C.
- New companies and individuals acting as sole proprietors can apply but will be required to register their business upon successfully receiving a grant. New businesses are eligible to apply for funding
- Core business activities include presenting live music in B.C., or fills a gap in their regional community (outside of Metro Vancouver or Victoria’s Capital Regional District)
- Demonstrates an ongoing and sustained commitment to presenting live music and engagement within the local music community; and
- Assumes risk in programming, producing, and promoting of these live music performances in B.C.
Creative BC encourages applications from systemically excluded groups, including Indigenous Peoples (First Nations [Status/Non-Status], Métis, and Inuit), Black, People of Colour, People living with one or more Disability, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, non-binary and gender diverse people, and other groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.
