Creative BC has announced the appointment of a new Advisory Committee that will provide input in the administration of the BC Music Fund, which was announced earlier this year by Premier Christy Clark and the Government of British Columbia. The $15 million grant, which will be administered by Creative BC, aims to “support and promote various aspects of the industry, such as direct investment in BC’s music industry, enhancing live music opportunities, stimulating the creation and retention of jobs and promoting BC’s music on the national and global stage,” said the release.

The Advisory Committee will be chaired by Creative BC CEO Prem Gill, and is comprised of artists and representatives of various areas of the music sector.

“BC has a real opportunity to be an industry leader with the administration of the BC Music Fund,” said Gill in a release. “Creative BC has reviewed areas that are in most need of funding and is ready to work with the Committee to ensure we maximize the potential of this sector.”

Members of the Advisory Committee include:

• Alex Cuba, Artist
• Amy Terrill, Music Canada
• Asha Bhat, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
• Bruce Allen, Bruce Allen Talent
• Bryan Adams, Artist
• Catherine Runnals, Brand Live
• Nick Blasko, Amelia Artists Inc., Atomique Productions Ltd.
• Patrick Aldous, Music BC
• Prem Gill, Creative BC (Chair)
• Sarah Fenton, Watchdog Management

“Seeing our Province make such a significant investment really speaks to the value of music to our economy and culture,” says Blasko, who manages JUNO winners Tegan and Sara. “The BC Music Fund will help the province compete on a national and international level.”

The BC Music Fund will allocated through four main streams:

• Music company development;
• Live music performance;
• Tour support for BC artists travelling within and outside Canada; and
• Industry development.

The release notes that Creative BC will launch a funding program in support of the sound recording sector over the next few weeks as a pilot. Additional grant programs aligned with the Fund’s objectives will be developed over the summer and fall of 2016.

“This advisory committee will give insight to Creative BC on how to develop and administer the BC Music Fund, and continue to produce, promote, and support some of the world’s top musical talent,” said Premier Clark. “The success people like Bryan Adams and Nick Blasko have enjoyed is a major asset for BC, and the artists who will benefit from their experience.”

For more information on the BC Music Fund, visit CreativeBC.com and join their email newsletter for updates on the program.