investment
programs

The Marketing Component supports Artist I and Record Label applicants by contributing to the costs of the marketing and promotion of a single, EP, LP, or tour. Album) or Tour. Projects focused solely on asset creation are ineligible.

Prior to submitting an Application, all prospective Music Nova Scotia Investment Program Applicants must update their Applicant Profile. If you do not have an Applicant Profile, you must first complete and submit an Applicant Profile form. Please select the appropriate link below. If you have already created an Applicant Profile previously DO NOT create a new Applicant profile. Please contact the Program Manager if you are unsure whether you have an Applicant Profile.

Deadlines:
March 15
June 15
September 15
December 15

Who Can Apply?
Only the party that controls the commercial release rights and exclusive exploitation rights to the sound recording at the time of application may apply.

Level of Investment:
$1,500 maximum for Artist Level I Applicant (or eligible music company per Deadline)

Percentage of Investment:
67% of total budget up to max investment

With your application, you must submit:
A complete and detailed Marketing Plan for your project

All documents referenced in the guidelines can be found here:

Supporting Documents:
Investment Program Policies & Definitions
Applicant Rating Criteria
Private Vehicle Log
Per Diem Declaration Template
Marketing Cost Summary Template (Artist I)

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

Prior to submitting an Application, all prospective Music Nova Scotia Investment Program Applicants must update their Applicant Profile. If you do not have an Applicant Profile, you must first complete and submit an Applicant Profile form. Please select the appropriate link below. If you have already created an Applicant Profile previously DO NOT create a new Applicant profile. Please contact the Program Manager if you are unsure whether you have an Applicant Profile.

Deadlines:
March 15
September 15

Who Can Apply?
Artist I
Artist II
Artist III
Eligible Music Companies

It is mandatory that all applicants to the Mentorship stream contact the Program Manager in advance to discuss their mentorship project to ensure you and your proposed activity are eligible.

Applications submitted to the Mentorship stream without prior consultation with the Program Manager will not be accepted.

Level of Investment – $15,000.00 maximum per Applicant per Deadline
Percentage of Investment – 75% of total budget up to max investment

With your application, you must submit:
A complete and detailed Mentorship Plan

All documents referenced in the guidelines can be found here:

Supporting Documents:
Investment Program Policies & Definitions
Applicant Rating Criteria
Private Vehicle Log
Per Diem Declaration Template
Mentorship Cost Summary Template

The Artist I Recording Program offers a $1,500 investment toward sound recording. These activities must be detailed in an artist bio, history, and recording plan, which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application.

Prior to submitting an Application, all prospective Music Nova Scotia Investment Program Applicants must update their Applicant Profile. If you do not have an Applicant Profile, you must first complete and submit an Applicant Profile form. Please select the appropriate link below. If you have already created an Applicant Profile previously, you do not need to create a new Applicant profile. Please contact the Program Manager if you are unsure whether you have an Applicant Profile.

Deadlines:
March 15
September 15

Who Can Apply?
Artist I
Artist II and Artist III applicants are not eligible for this investment stream
An Artist may receive one Artist I Recording investment per Music Nova Scotia fiscal year, to a maximum of three (3) Artist I Recording investments in the lifetime of the program.

Level of Investment – $1,500 maximum per Applicant per Deadline
Percentage of Investment – 75% of total budget up to max investment

With your application, you must submit:
A streaming link of a recent demo along with lyrics (PDF file only), known as the Assessment Track
An Artist Bio & History, Recording Plan, and Marketing & Release overview (PDF file only)
A Guardian Consent Form if under the age of 18
At the end of the Artist I Recording project, successful applicants are required to deliver to Music Nova Scotia one new, previously unreleased, professional quality sound recording, called the Delivery Track.

All documents referenced in the guidelines can be found here:

Supporting Documents:
Investment Program Policies & Definitions
Applicant Rating Criteria
Donated Services Form
Guardian Consent Form
Deal Memo for Hired Musicians and Crew
Private Vehicle Log
Artist I Recording Cost Summary Template

The Showcase Support stream provides an investment for domestic and international showcase performances.

Prior to submitting an Application, all prospective Music Nova Scotia Investment Program Applicants must update their Applicant Profile. If you do not have an Applicant Profile, you must first complete and submit an Applicant Profile form. Please select the appropriate link below. If you have already created an Applicant Profile previously DO NOT create a new Applicant profile. Please contact the Program Manager if you are unsure whether you have an Applicant Profile.

Deadlines:
March 15
June 15
September 15
December 15

Who Can Apply?
Artist Level I

Level of Investment
$1,500 per Applicant per deadline for Regional Showcases
$3,000 per Applicant per deadline for Domestic Showcases
$5,000  per Applicant per deadline for International Showcases

Percentage of Investment – 75% of total budget up to max investment

With your application, you must submit:
A detailed Showcase Plan  – Applicants must provide specific details as to the strategic merits of the Showcase in the Showcase Plan. You must provide a list of industry personnel whom you have invited to the Showcase, including their name, title and company. Also, please provide specific details on how you will be marketing your Showcase to industry personnel attending the event.

All documents referenced in the guidelines can be found here:

Supporting Documents:
Investment Program Policies & Definitions
Applicant Rating Criteria
Deal Memo for Hired Musicians and Crew
Private Vehicle Log
Per Diem Declaration Template
Showcase Support Cost Summary Template

Tour Support

The tour support stream provides an investment for domestic and international tours.

Prior to submitting an Application, all prospective Music Nova Scotia Investment Program Applicants must update their Applicant Profile. If you do not have an Applicant Profile, you must first complete and submit an Applicant Profile form. Please select the appropriate link below. If you have already created an Applicant Profile previously DO NOT create a new Applicant profile. Please contact the Program Manager if you are unsure whether you have an Applicant Profile.

Changing COVID-19 Situation and Cancelled Projects

In opening the Tour and Showcase applications, Music Nova Scotia is endeavoring to balance supporting our members’ pursuit of export opportunities while acknowledging that the domestic and international COVID-19 situations vary widely and can change at any time.

While applications are open, Music Nova Scotia reserves the right to withhold funding if the federal or provincial governments issue new or change existing travel restrictions that make the planned project unsafe or untenable. If tours or showcases are cancelled as a result of changing COVID-19 restrictions, Music Nova Scotia will not provide funding for canceled projects. Applicants should plan their travel accordingly and ensure flights, accommodations, and other expenses are refundable. 

COVID-19 Testing is an Eligible Expense

Many countries require COVID-19 testing upon arrival and may not provide these tests for free. Music Nova Scotia will recognize COVID-19 testing upon arrival as an eligible expense for tour and showcase funding for the foreseeable future.

Deadlines:
March 15
June 15
September 15
December 15

Level of Investment:

$1,500 maximum per Artist I Applicant per Deadline

Percentage of Investment – 67% for Artist I

With your application, you must submit:
A detailed Tour Plan – The Applicant must provide details (Tour Plan) on their Goals and Expected Results, including a description of the Tour, the Artist’s commercial history, notable successes, and current opportunities in the Territory being toured, along with confirmation that the Tour Dates have been booked (for example, an itinerary from a booking agent).

All documents referenced in the guidelines can be found here:

Supporting Documents:
Investment Program Policies & Definitions
Applicant Rating Criteria
Deal Memo for Hired Musicians and Crew
Private Vehicle Log
Per Diem Declaration Template
Tour Support Cost Summary Template (Artist I)