$2500 RELIEF PAYMENT AVAILABLE TO SELF-EMPLOYED MUSIC WORKERS

Live Music Workers FundLive Music Workers Fund (French)

Earlier this year, the Government of Canada put out a call seeking associations to administer a new support fund, the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund. SaskMusic and music association colleagues across Canada held a series of meetings where it was determined that we could most efficiently administer this funding stream by partnering and signing in support of the music industry funding stream delivery to be managed through Unison, a registered Canadian non-profit that provides counseling, emergency relief, and assistance programs for those in the Canadian music community who face personal or professional challenges due to hardship, illness, or economic difficulties.

We are thrilled to announce that Unison’s application was approved on May 2 and applications to the fund will open on July 6.

Building off the existing Unison Financial Assistance Program, The Live Music Workers Fund will provide financial relief to qualified independent and self-employed workers in the live music sector. Successful applicants will receive a one-time payment of $2500.

What makes me eligible to apply for financial assistance?

  • You have worked primarily in the music industry for at least two consecutive years.
  • You have earned at least 55% of your income from the Canadian music industry.

LIVE MUSIC WORKERS FUND

You should apply for the Live Music Workers Fund if you are an independent, self-employed live music worker who lives outside Quebec and identifies their primary occupation in the music community as one or more of the following:

  • Artist
  • Booking Agent
  • Composer
  • Concert Photographer
  • Concert Recording Engineer
  • Consultant
  • DJ
  • Event Production/Festival
  • Artist Manager/Management Company
  • Marketing/Communications
  • Merchandiser
  • Musician
  • Production Company
  • Promoter
  • Publisher
  • Publicist/Public Relations
  • Retailer (Instruments and Supplies)
  • Stagehand/Roadie
  • Technician
  • Tour Management/Operator
  • Songwriter
  • Talent Buyer
  • Venue
  • Video

INDUSTRY ASSISTANCE FUND

You should apply for the Industry Assistance Fund if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Live Music Workers Fund, but still identify as a Music Industry professional, including (but not limited to):  

  • Association
  • Consultant
  • Distributor
  • Graphic Artist
  • Marketing/Communications
  • Publisher
  • Producer
  • Trade Publication
  • Publicist/Public Relations
  • Music Educator
  • Music Photographer
  • Record Company
  • Recording Studio
  • Recording Engineer
  • Retailer (Instruments and Supplies)
  • Video
  • Other

The first step to apply to the fund is to register with Unison: https://unison.smartsimple.ca/

A step-by-step tutorial is available here (PDF)

Applicants who do not qualify for financial support under the Live Music Workers Fund program will be verified and processed through the already existing Unison Financial Assistance Program. All eligible applicants, no matter their occupation in the Canadian music industry, will be supported by Unison. 

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage for the commitment of support to the Canadian live music industry. Unison will be distributing this funding to qualifying live music workers across the country as part of The Live Music Workers Fund program.  

Applicants who reside in Quebec will apply for the same funding from the Foundation Des Artistes. Their application is now live here: https://frtsssc.ca/en/

Additional associations identified to provide direct financial assistance to independent and self-employed workers in the live performance sector are:

 
 

Phone: 306-347-0676. Toll-Free in Sask: 1-800-347-0676.
Email: info@saskmusic.org
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