Mary Ann
| Aug 27, 2026

Creative BC: Amplify BC – Live Music Grant Program (Presentation & Business Development)

Application Deadlines: October 7, 2026

Program Summary:

The Amplify BC Live Music program supports B.C.-based live music presenters, growing the capacity of the live music sector through business development activities. Funding will also support live music performances for audiences and music artists, enhancing music tourism throughout B.C.

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: Live music events occurring between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027. This stream provides eligible applicants with funding for live music events, including:

One-off live music events
Music festivals
Concert series
Year-round programming

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 for up to 50% of budgeted cash expenditures.

Company Cap: Applicants can be approved for a maximum of $50,000 per company, across the two funding streams. Applicants requesting more than $20,000 across Live Music program applications or streams, must meet financial statement requirements.

This program funds activities and related expenses incurred between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027. Applicants are expected to contribute to the financing of the project and seek other revenue sources where appropriate.

Eligible Applicants:

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 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.

Register for Info Sessions:

Join the Creative BC team at an upcoming info session to discover more about this program. Learn about eligibility, past successful projects, and the application process.