Grants for Specialized Music Distribution

Deadline

15 May

Please note that this was the last deadline for this program. Refer to our Notice for more information.

Program Description

This program supports the distribution of “specialized music” by Canadian-owned and -controlled distribution companies and record companies. The program allows grant recipients to effectively distribute, promote and sell Canadian specialized music recordings that -- despite their cultural significance -- have limited access to markets and consumers.

Program Funding and Administration

Funds for this program are provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) through the Canadian Musical Diversity Program of the Canada Music Fund. The Canada Council for the Arts administers the Canadian Musical Diversity Program on behalf of PCH and delivers these funds to the public as Grants for Specialized Music Sound Recording and Grants for Specialized Music Distribution.

The Canada Music Fund also includes programs that are administered by other agencies and non-profit private sector organizations, including Telefilm Canada, FACTOR and MusicAction.

Specialized Music

For the specialized music programs, the Canada Council defines “specialized music” as any musical production whose intent and (or) content places creativity, self-expression and (or) experimentation above the current demands and format expectations of the mainstream recording industry. This music is usually identified with the parallel market and alternative distribution systems.

Specialized music, by its intent and (or) content, is not primarily shaped by the desire for wide market appeal. This music has a significance that extends beyond its role as a form of entertainment and (or) its social role as a form of expression used by a particular cultural group.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Distribution and record companies are eligible if their primary area of operation is Canadian specialized music. They must also:

be incorporated or registered
be Canadian-owned and -controlled (at least 51 percent)
operate in Canada
distribute or release the work of more than one artist
have been in business for at least two years immediately before the deadline date
have distributed or released, in Canada, at least three Canadian specialized music titles in the 12 months before the deadline date
meet their contractual agreements with artists, composers, lyricists, recording companies, authors rights associations and publishers, or pay sums owed to such parties related to music products that the applicants produce, distribute or promote.

Sole-proprietorship companies are eligible only if they are owned and operated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

For companies with more than one shareholder, at least 51 percent of the value of their assets must be owned or controlled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and their chairperson (or equivalent) and more than half of their directors (or equivalent) must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

For non-profit organizations, more than half of their members and directors must be Canadians or permanent residents of Canada.

For this program, a person who is controlled in any manner by another person or entity that is not a Canadianwhere this results in control in fact, whether directly through the ownership of securities or indirectly through a trust, agreement, arrangement or otherwisewill not be considered to be a Canadian.

This Canada Council for the Arts program is accessible to Aboriginal arts organizations and arts organizations of diverse cultural or regional communities of Canada.

Eligible Titles

General

To be considered an eligible title under this program, the recording must be a specialized music sound recording project:

that was recorded by a Canadian artist
that was produced by a Canadian-owned and -controlled record company
that contains at least 50 percent Canadian content
with a master that is owned by a Canadian artist or Canadian-owned and controlled record company.

Canadian Content

As defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, to qualify as “Canadian content” a musical selection must generally fulfill at least two of the following conditions:

M (music) – the music is composed entirely by a Canadian
L (lyrics) – the lyrics are written entirely by a Canadian
A (artist) – the music is, or the lyrics are, performed principally by a Canadian
P (production) – the musical selection consists of a live performance that is i) recorded wholly in Canada, or ii) performed wholly in Canada and broadcast live in Canada.

For instrumentals, a track will be considered to be Canadian if it is an instrumental performance of a musical composition in which the music was composed by a Canadian or Canadians, or the musical work was composed as an instrumental by a Canadian or Canadians.

Eligible Projects and Activities

Eligible projects are those that strengthen the ability of Canadian distribution companies and record companies to effectively distribute, promote and sell recordings of the specialized music of Canadian artists. Eligible projects may include:

promotional campaigns that promote applicants’ specialized music catalogue or website
those that allow applicants to remain up to date with current or developing distribution, promotional or retailing practices and requirements
those that allow applicants to respond to opportunities or address challenges related to the effective distribution, promotion and sale of Canadian specialized music recordings
improvements to websites.

Grant Amount

Amount Available

The grant awarded will not be more than 50 percent of the project’s total expenses. Total public support (federal, provincial/territorial, regional and municipal grants) may not be more than 75 percent of a project’s total expenses. As a result, the amount that the Canada Council can award may be affected by the participation of other public funders.

Please note that the Canada Council for the Arts may decide to support only part of an applicant’s proposed project activities.

Eligible Expenses

Only expenses related directly to the proposed project are eligible. Financial assistance will be offered only for the portion of the project that involves specialized music recordings.

Projects must take place after the deadline dateexpenses that occur before the deadline are not eligible for consideration.

Ineligible Expenses

General operating expenses, including salaries and rent.
The purchase of equipment.
Capital expenses, such as the purchase or construction of buildings.

Further Information

Gerri Trimble, Music Section Officer
Music Section
Canada Council for the Arts
350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa ON K1P 5V8

Telephone: 1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 4103

TTY (TDD) machine, for hearing-impaired callers: 613-565-5194

Fax: 613-566-4409

September 2009

For more information, contact: