Creative BC: Record in BC Program

Deadline: rolling deadline until October 30, 2026

Program Summary:

The Record in BC program is one of the Amplify BC programs funded by the Province of British Columbia to support the growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of B.C.’s music industry. This program attracts established out-of-province and international artists to B.C. to record, increase music tourism in B.C., and create jobs for B.C. recording professionals.

Aims + Objectives:

• Increase and sustain earning potential and economic activity for B.C. studios, recording professionals, and music companies
• Attract national and international business to B.C.’s recording industry
• Support a broad range of artists, including those led by systemically excluded groups who experience systemic barriers to participation

Project Eligibility:

This program supports established out-of-province and international artists coming to record at a B.C. recording studio. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, singles, EPs, and LPs in the form of original music, or interpretations of existing music. This program does not support songwriting, commissions, or the creation of new works prior to recording. Recordings supported through this program must be intended for commercial release.

Lists of previous recipients are available on the Creative BC website.

Grant Amount:

Grant Amounts: $10,000 – $30,000, funding up to 50% of eligible expenses

Applicants may apply to Creative BC for a grant of up to 50% of budgeted eligible expenses and are expected to contribute to the financing of the project. Recipients must provide a minimum budget of $20,000 for their project to be eligible for funding. Total public funding from combined sources cannot exceed 75% of the budget for applicants, except for Indigenous artists, who can use multiple grants to cover the entire project budget. All grants are paid in Canadian dollars.

Eligible Applicants:

This program supports applications that are submitted by the artist, or artist’s label, in collaboration with the B.C. producer or B.C. recording studio. The primary contact and signatory for the grant must be the artist or the artist’s label.

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 Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and other groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.

Applicants must meet all the following minimum criteria to be eligible:

• Artists must live outside of B.C. In the case of a band or group, more than 50% of the permanent members must be non-B.C. residents. Groups that are 50/50 must apply through the Career Development program.
• Artists must be established in their music career, and exhibit many or all the following milestones:
  • Substantial earnings from music-related activities including touring, licensing, publishing, streaming, and album sales. It is strongly recommended that artists are earning a minimum of $30,000 CAD per year to be competitive as an established artist
  • Be supported by a team of industry professionals, such as a label, manager, booking agency, publisher, etc.
  • Track record of media exposure in the form of awards, radio play, or other press
  • Have produced an extensive body of recorded work that has been commercially released, with a strong, recognizable style and sound
  • Tour history with national and/or international tour dates, with affiliated press
  • Demonstrate a substantial audience on social media, streaming services, or at live performances.
• Applications must be submitted by a business. Artists can apply through their own music company, or the application can be submitted by their record label. Managers, studios, or production companies are not eligible to apply, but can support the application process for the artist or the artist’s label as a grant writer. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • The primary business activities of the company must include music
  • The applicant company must have a business number and be a legal entity in the form of a sole proprietorship, registered partnership, incorporated company, or not-for-profit society. The business must have a valid statement of business registration, certificate of incorporation, EIN (US-based applicants), or GST number (Canadian applicants)
  • Financial interest in the recording as a rights holder or licensee
  • A signed contract between the artist and the company that outlines the business relationship is required if the applicant company is not owned by the artist
• Recording Businesses must meet all the following minimum criteria to be considered eligible:
  • Be a legal entity in the form of a registered sole proprietorship, partnership, incorporated company in British Columbia, or in Canada
  • Be located in British Columbia
  • Have an established history of recording and producing commercial releases for other artists
  • Be active and have recorded music with a variety of external clients within the past 12 months

A list of B.C. Recording Businesses is available as a resource on the Creative BC website. Studios have not been assessed by Creative BC, and not all studios will meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants must ensure the studio meets the requirements.

Other eligibility information:

• Limit on applications from producers: Creative BC intends to fund a variety of recording studios and producers. Producers can be included on a maximum of three approved Record in BC projects for FY2026/27.
• If an artist has previously received funding from Creative BC’s Record in BC program, all Record in BC final reports must be submitted before applying.
• The owners, principals, directors, officers and shareholders of the applicant company and the recording business must be in good standing (i.e., not in default) with Creative BC.