MusicNL Market Access

Market Access Program – April 1, 2010 – March 31st, 2011

Program Objective

The funding in this program is designed to assist export ready independent artist development outside of the province, and to increase awareness locally, nationally and internationally of provincially produced music as an art form and as a viable industry with significant impact on the economy.
The Program has two eligible components - Touring and Showcasing/Festivals. Showcasing/Festival applicants must provide a written invitation to showcase with the application.

Application Deadlines

Applications must be received at the MusicNL office no later than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the start date of the proposed project. Late applications will not be reviewed or considered.

Program Funding

All projects must demonstrate financial need in order to be considered. Successful applicants will receive investment support until funding for this fiscal year is exhausted. All projects must meet the program objectives. It is recommended that applicants contact the program officer Jen Winsor to discuss the proposed project prior to submitting the application (jen@musicnl.ca or 754-2574).

Touring

Applicants may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500 (Domestic) and $4,000 (International). Monies are a grant and not repayable. Eligible Expenses include Travel, Accommodations, Promotion and Side Musician Fees (for solo artists). Tour consists of six out of province dates in at least three different municipalities.

Showcase and Festivals

Applicants may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $1,500 (Domestic) and $2,500 (International). Monies are a grant and not repayable.
Reimbursement
Reimbursement will be issued upon completion of the project, delivery of eligible receipts and final report, including final budget. The final report must be filed within thirty (30) days of the project’s completion. Failure to do so will void the current application and make the applicant ineligible for future funding.

Eligibility Criteria (applicants must meet all of the items below)

Applicant must be a member of MusicNL in good standing.
Applicant must have been a MusicNL member for at least six (6) months prior to the application date.
Applicant must have been a resident of Newfoundland & Labrador for at least six (6) months prior to the application. Proof of residency may be required.
Applicants will be limited to a maximum annual funding amount of $7500, regardless of the number of applications made in that period.

All of the following must accompany your application

Complete project description
1. project objectives,
2. how your project meets the goals of the funding program, and
3. complete budget.
Professional history of the artist/group.
Completed application form.
Marketing plan.
Tour itinerary (minimum of six (6) out of Province dates) or showcase/festival invitation.
Electronic Press Kit.
Demonstrated ability to finance expenses not covered in this funding program.

Eligible Expenses

Touring/Showcase/Festival

Travel, including transportation costs to, from, and within the target market(s)
Accommodations
Project specific promotional materials
Side Musician Fees for solo artists

Restrictions to eligible expenses:

Best economy rates for flights, hotels and vehicle rentals only
Gas is eligible only when using a privately owned or rental vehicle
Promotional costs are eligible if limited to a specific project and during the specific project period.

Ineligible Expenses

manager’s fees
Per diems
Registration fees
Administration costs
Office rent
Capital costs
Office staff wages
Web site domain fee
Costume/wardrobe
Manufactured products (including but not limited to CD, DVD and video)

Eligible Projects

Touring

Independent tours with a minimum of six (6) confirmed dates, or
Tours in conjunction with other artists or groups, with a minimum of six (6) dates
Showcase/Festival
Travel to a MusicNL recognized event or conference as an official showcasing artist (see attached list of MusicNL recognized events)

Ineligible Projects

Projects that do not have a performance component, or have less than six (6) confirmed dates
Educational or professional development activities (there is separate funding available for Professional Development through MusicNL)
Attendance to industry conferences as a delegate. Conference events such as the ECMA’s, JUNO’s etc, are subject to separate blanket funding which will be funded to a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses. Contact the Program Officer for further details.

How Are Decisions Made?

The MusicNL Funding Committee is made up of a minimum of three (3) industry professionals and a Government Liaison. Your application form and supporting materials should provide all the information the Committee needs to know about you and your project.

Applications are evaluated based on four (4) main factors:

Project description and Marketing Plan
Professional History – profiles, accomplishments and special recognitions within the media and the industry
Additional Support – who is helping you with this project and what is their experience, and your ability to provide financing for expenses not covered in this program.
Applicant must demonstrate financial need

Important Notes

Applicants will be limited to a maximum annual funding amount of $7500, regardless of the number of applications made in that period.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed
Your application will not be reviewed if you have a Final Report that is overdue.
You are required to use the budget template provided in the Application Form.
You are required to submit an electronic copy of your application to MusicNL program officer Jen Winsor at jen@musicnl.ca.
Attach a separate budget, that reports the full cost of the project (i.e. all expenses incurred even if not eligible under this program.) This information will aid MusicNL in calculating the private investment in each project and to analyze the amount of investment Newfoundland and Labrador music initiatives might require.
Successful applicants will receive investment support until funding for the fiscal year is exhausted. Money left over will be held for the next funding period.
Approved applicants are required to sign a Funding Agreement that outlines terms and conditions of funding.
Approved applicants are required to submit a Final Report within thirty (30) days of the project end date.
The Final Report must include a detailed financial statement of actual revenues and expenses accompanied by original receipts/invoices as supporting documentation. The applicant must also submit photo copies of all invoices/receipts. This information must be laid out in spreadsheet format.
Recipients are subject to provincial government audit. Please retain all supporting documentation.
It is strongly recommended that the Program Officer be contacted to discuss the proposed project before an application is submitted.
MusicNL reserves the right to decline or approve any application.
Applications must match career development and marketing plan.
All projects must be completed by March 31st, 2011.

MusicNL Recognized Events include, but are not limited to

Domestic events such as

Canadian Country Music Week
Canadian Music Week
CAPACOA
COCA
Contact East
East Coast Music Conference & Awards
Folk Alliance Canada
Francofete
Halifax Pop Explosion,
NXNE
New Music West
OCFF
Pop Montreal
Toronto Urban Music Fest
Western Canadian Music Conference

International events such as:

CMJ
MIDEM
NEMO
North American Folk Alliance Conference
POPKOMM
Printemps de Bourges France
SXSW
Western Arts Alliance Conference
WOMEX

Documents

Contacts

Jen Winsor

186 Duckworth Street
St. John's, NL A1C 1G5
Canada

Fax: (709) 754-5758
Phone: (709) 754-2574

jen@musicnl.ca