Indigenous, Downtown Eastside, and other underrepresented Vancouver artists receive funding for new music projects
The Vancouver Music Fund, by the City of Vancouver in partnership with Creative BC, is the first municipal funding program of its kind in North America
Through Vancouver Music Fund, Tahltan/Tlingit Two-Spirit artist Edzi'u (above) and producer Lin Gardiner are working on a new demo recording.
THE CITY OF VANCOUVER is partnering with Creative BC to provide direct support to Indigenous and underrepresented artists and groups in Vancouver’s music sector. The Vancouver Music Fund—the first municipal fund of its kind in North America—has just announced $300,000 in funding for 57 new local music projects.
Now in its second round, the Vancouver Music Fund has three streams: a demo recording program, a music video program, and an industry catalyst program. Since the initial round of funding in 2019, the City has seen a 50 percent increase in applications.
Among the newly funded projects are a demo recording by Tahltan/Tlingit Two-Spirit artist Edzi'u and producer Lin Gardiner; a compilation album by The Black Lab Artist Society called “100 Block Rock 2" featuring music by Downtown Eastside residents; and Music Waste, an annual independent, non-profit music and art festival.
"We are thrilled to work with Creative BC to amplify the voices of Indigenous and underrepresented musicians and support the next generation of Vancouver artists and organizations that are shaping our city's remarkable music scene," Jarrett Martineau, City of Vancouver’s music officer, said in a release. "Local music plays a vital role in our local economy and in creating a diverse, healthy city and creative sector, and we're proud to invest in opportunities that increase equity for communities that continue to experience barriers to access and funding."
Thirty projects were funded in the demo-recording program, which also includes mentorship and skill development with a B.C. producer.
JUNO-nominated Vancouver musician and producer A-SLAM, for example, will receive $2,000 to work with Bollywood fusion producer ishQ Bector to record a demo. A-SLAM’s work focuses on Indian fusion music; his most recent track, with ishQ Bector, “Tera Swag,” has garnered more than 100,000 streams across various streaming platforms.
The music video program is funding 10 projects, with the goal to help new and emerging artists from underrepresented groups to reach new audiences.
Emcee and songwriter Kapok (above) and filmmaker Rana Sowdaey received $10,000 to film a music video for Kapok's track, “There You Go Again”.
Emcee and songwriter Kapok and filmmaker Rana Sowdaey received $10,000 to film a music video for Kapok's track, “There You Go Again”.
“As an Independent artist, I have always had to work within the scope of my means and certain limitations,” Kapok said in a release. “Through the Vancouver Music Fund, I will be able to see what happens when these limitations are dissolved, and I am free to be creative well outside of my bounds.”
Sowdaey added, "We all want to find good music, but it's hard for musicians to stand out and to connect to audiences in a new way; this funding will help us get that for Kapok. Supporting his narrative and getting his music shared through this video means supporting an interesting and unique voice within Vancouver's music scene. Plus, it's a relief to get support to do that from organizations in our hometown."
NADUH, a group made up of five queer women who write, engineer, and produce all of their music, will receive $10,000 to work with Quetzalli Berthelet-Valera, a Vancouver-based 3D artist, for a music video. NADUH promotes diverse representations of gender fluidity/androgyny, skin colour, body types, and styles and want underrepresented people to feel seen and included with their art. (Read more about NADUH in Sound of the City.)
Seventeen projects are receiving funds as part of the industry catalyst program, which supports Vancouver’s overall music ecosystem and builds capacity of underrepresented groups and communities. For instance, Locals Lounge will receive $7,500 to support the planning, marketing, and data collection and analysis of seven events that encourage community and collaboration within the Vancouver music scene over a one-year period. Three of the events support IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour) communities specifically, and the remaining events support the development of young talent.
“Creative BC is proud to partner again with the City of Vancouver to support and invest in emerging artists and industry professionals who have historically experienced systemic barriers to funding,” said Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC, in the release. “We look forward to seeing what these talented voices create as they contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Vancouver.”
The Vancouver Music Fund supports the strategic recommendations of the Vancouver Music Strategy and the City’s 10-year culture plan, Culture|Shift, which aim to shift and re-prioritize support while amplifying a diverse music and cultural sector.
To view the full list of recipients, and to learn more about the Fund, visit Creative BC.
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