MusicNL Market Access

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.

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.

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 in at least 3 different municipalities
• 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

Contacts