Music grants awarded at sold-out BreakOut West festival in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Seventy-five B.C. musicians are receiving funding for career development projects announced today at a Kelowna music festival.

The grant awards for the inaugural AMPLIFY B.C. Career Development Grants were announced at the BreakOut West festival in Kelowna today, Oct. 13.

"AMPLIFY BC provides much-needed funding to our talented B.C. musicians and music sector," Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, says in a media release. "With nearly 300 music companies in our province, our music industry is thriving. And we want to keep it growing. I look forward to seeing what our artists achieve with the career development support provided through this program."

The funding to B.C. artists totals more than $880,000. This program supports emerging and established artists in B.C. by funding sound recordings, music videos and marketing initiatives, as well as attracting national and international business to B.C. recording studios.

AMPLIFY BC is a $7.5-million music fund established by the government in early 2018. The initiative supports people working in B.C.'s diverse music industry and focuses on four funding areas:

• Industry initiatives supporting the development of B.C.'s music industry, including training, skills development, research and a new focus on young up-and-coming talent.

• Career development focusing on emerging and established artists.

• Live music supporting B.C.-based live music events, creating engagement opportunities for audiences, artists and youth to enhance music tourism around B.C.

• Music company development focusing on sustainability and building the capacity of B.C.'s music companies.

BreakOut West is the Western Canadian music industry's annual conference and festival. It showcases artists from across Western Canada and celebrates their successes through the Western Canadian Music Alliance industry awards. Of this year's award nominees, 66 are from British Columbia.

The four-day event received over $258,000 in provincial funding to assist with hosting the event in Kelowna. This funding also includes B.C.'s contribution to the operations of the Western Canada Music Alliance. Thousands of people are expected to attend industry events and performances, including about 600 national and international delegates.

British Columbia is Canada's third largest music centre, with over 285 music companies, 160 recording studios and more than 200 music festivals throughout the province.

B.C.'s music industry contributes approximately $400 million each year to the provincial economy.

BreakOut West 2018 in Kelowna is officially sold out  Purchased wristbands can still be redeemed at Tourism Kelowna Visitor’s Centre, or at participating  venues, but can no longer be bought.

Go here for a full list of Career Development Fund recipients.

Go here to learn more about AMPLIFY BC and Creative BC.

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