a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable music industry for all of Nova Scotia

our mission: We encourage the emergence of artists, development, growth, sustainability, and promotion of Nova Scotia’s music industry. We exist to grow and nurture the NS music industry, retain our own natural resource, and promote investment

our impact:

Artists: increase training, funding, and growth opportunities
Industry: stronger business supports and partnerships
Communities: inclusive access and representation across programs

Music Nova Scotia acts on behalf of the Nova Scotia music industry regionally, nationally and internationally, both to government and other music industry associations. MNS lobbies for and passes the support onto the membership and the NS industry at large in a number of ways:

Advocacy in 2024-2025:

Support from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage to expand the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program

Hear and Now Study, the first-ever economic impact assessment of the live music industry in Canada, conducted by the Canadian Live Music Association

Community-Building in 2024-2025:

Event series such as New Music Thursday, a six-month initiative to showcase 20 emerging Nova Scotian artists to new audiences at Halifax’s oldest live music venue.

Gatherings such as our Stage Ready: Local Style, Global Impact event for International Women’s Day, Women In Music Canada’s Atlantic Chapter‘s event for women and gender non-conforming folks at ECMA 2025.

Live music integrations in other cultural events, such as the Argyle Street Shore Party hosted in collaboration with SailGP’s Host Committee, the NSMW 2024 Summer Mash-Up concert presented in partnership with TD Halifax Jazz Festival, Festival Music House presented in partnership with the Atlantic International Film Festival, and the Boston Tree Lighting Concert in partnership with Events Nova Scotia.

Expansion of NSMW programming with Road to NSMW, to prepare showcasing artists and foster connection, through full-day performance coaching, in-person meet-ups to thrift and refine their stage presence together, and a virtual AMA session for artists to connect directly with event staff and technical leads.

Supporting other cultural associations in their programming, including our colleagues from ANSMA at the 26th annual ANSMA Awards where the theme was “Legends and Legacy,” encapsulating the impact of trailblazers to current groundbreakers who are shaping the sounds of African Nova Scotian Music, collaborations with partners such as Discover Halifax, where we encourage business travel and tourism to Halifax during their peak tourism season between April and November, and resource sharing such as MusiCounts Learn TRACK online learning hub.

Annual reports from previous years:

Music Nova Scotia has created a Basic Training program to help artists and aspiring music industry professionals develop their skills and knowledge. Moving forward, applicants to Music Nova Scotia’s investment programs will be required to complete Basic Training sessions in order to be eligible to apply to our investment programs. All previous applicants will be eligible to continue to apply at their current level (Artist Development, Artist Development II, and Export Ready). However, all first-time applicants and all artists wishing to move up levels will be required to complete a corresponding number of Basic Training sessions.

Please note:  If you need any Basic Training sessions to move between funding program levels or to make yourself eligible to apply for funding, please sign up for this round of sessions.

The session requirements per investment level are as follows:
Artist Development: 2 sessions
Artist Development II: 5 sessions
Export Ready: 8 sessions

Music Nova Scotia promotes Nova Scotian music at major music conferences and festivals such as Focus Wales (UK), the Great Escape Festival and Conference (UK), Reeperbahn Festival (Germany), New Skool Rules (Netherlands), East Coast Music Awards, The JUNO Awards, and also organizes Nova Scotia Music Week’s International and Domestic Buyers Program. 

Music Nova Scotia continues to develop an inclusive export strategy for its developing artists while supporting existing exporting artists.

Opportunities to showcase are posted through email, social media, and at musicnovascotia.ca. As a member, you can apply for these opportunities. These showcasing opportunities are juried when appropriate by local, national, and international industry members who are chosen to be objective and knowledgeable.

Program Objective
The objective of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program is to encourage the creation, development, and growth of Nova Scotian music businesses, artists, and their intellectual property. The investment program will enhance the sales and marketability of Nova Scotian-produced music, and develop skills for sustainable infrastructure in developing music businesses and entrepreneurs.

Program Investment
The Music Nova Scotia Investment Program is funded by The Province of Nova Scotia.
This commitment is made in support of Nova Scotia’s Music Sector Strategy. Music Nova Scotia is pleased to work in partnership with The Province of Nova Scotia to develop and promote the commercial music industry in our province

All of Music Nova Scotia’s investment programs and showcasing applications are juried with the exception of Business Travel and Community Presenters. Music Nova Scotia funds music of all genres (including instrumental music) and in all languages. Our juries are made up of industry professionals with broad and diverse areas of expertise. Members of the Music Nova Scotia Board of Directors, Music Nova Scotia staff, and Nova Scotia Music Week contractors are ineligible from sitting on these juries.

Your membership entitles you to the following benefits and opportunities:
Apply for NSMW Showcasing and Music Nova Scotia Awards
Opportunities for International Showcasing
Funding Opportunities
Voting privileges at the Music Nova Scotia AGM, Awards Nominations, and Board Nominations
Free membership to East Coast Music Association (ECMA)
Weekly Newsletter and communications about member-exclusive opportunities
Promotion in our newsletter, and on social media platforms.
Access to training and one-on-one consultations with Member Training Manager

Printing & Photo Copies
FREE First 50 black & white copies (per day, per member)
$0.10 after first 50
$0.50 colour copies

Industry & Community Member Benefit Providers:
Music Nova Scotia has partnered with a variety of organizations, small businesses, and local service providers compiling a variety of discounts and benefits for active members. A Music Nova Scotia membership can save you money when planning your tour or when purchasing everyday goods and services. These discounts are listed under Member Benefits on the Music Nova Scotia website and include preferred pricing on gear rentals, purchases, and repairs, music and vocal lessons, health and wellness services, and more.

Now in its 26th year, NSMW brings together the music community to participate in a range of business training and networking opportunities while celebrating our artists and industry professionals. NSMW engages the Music Nova Scotia membership and music industry at large while showcasing emerging and established artists to the public. NSMW is held over four days in November with workshops, receptions, showcases featuring over 100 artists, an international and domestic buyers program, B2B networking opportunities, and the Music Nova Scotia Awards.