Music BC 2014 Year In review
Music BC 2014 Year in review
It is always amazing how fast the years go by. After 14 years as the Executive Director of Music BC, I have seen amazing growth in the organization and in the sophistication of the artists and industry in BC. Of course, we have a long way to go in terms of building the music business infrastructure in this province, but some great strides have been made to move us all forward.
I thought that as the year comes to a close that it would be a good time to review some of Music BC and industry accomplishments this year and the challenges facing us in the future.
In April 2013, the BC Government launched CreativeBC. This new organization was established from merging the BC Film Commission with BC Film and then expanding the mandate of BC Film to include music, books, magazines and other media. Ontario has had the OMDC for many years and the model of the pan-sectoral development corporation has been proven to work well. In part, this development arose from a concentrated effort from Music BC, the CMPA (film), ABPBC (books) and the Magazine Association of BC. Together, we found that there is great traction with the BC government in presenting a unified front. The paper that was created “From the Margins to the Mainstream” called for the creation of CreativeBC. This working group is still very active in lobbying for additional funding for Creative BC. We have appeared together in front of the provincial budget committee for a number of years to push for more funding for the Creative Industries.
What does all of this mean for Music BC? For the first time ever, Music BC has a “home” with CreativeBC. We never fit into the BC Arts Council or Gaming funding models. Existing outside of the arts funding structures when arts funding cuts happened in 2008, we lost all of our operating funding and half of our program funding. CreativeBC has reinstated that operating funding as of this year (after 6 years). In addition to that, CreativeBC has continued the MITAP travel assistance program and started to fund Music BC to carry out international export trade missions. CreativeBC also carried out a PwC sector study of the music industry, something that has not happened since 2005. BC Music Industry Profile
Export Marketing Missions
With the help of CreativeBC, FACTOR and 102.7 The PEAK CCD funding, Music BC has been able to spearhead missions to CMW, SXSW, Big Sound (Australia), Reeperbahn (Germany), Los Angeles (Film and TV supervisors) and Folk Alliance. In 2015, we hope to expand this footprint by adding The Great Escape (UK) and Japan to this list of missions.
We have also been partnering with CIMA and BreakOut West for the export missions. CIMA has developed the Canadian Blast brand over many years. It is very helpful to be able to carve out a piece of the Canadian presence for BC and take advantage of economies of scale. We have also been going out with BreakOut West as a brand to promote artists from the west of Canada. The BOW brand is also becoming quite recognized internationally.
Over the past 18 months, Music BC has supported Dear Rouge, Jon & Roy, Humans, Rococode, We Are The City, David Morin, Chersea, the Lion the Bear the Fox, No Sinner, Good for Grapes, Jordan Klassen, The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, The Shilohs, Current Swell, The Pack AD, The Belle Game, BESTiE, Dead Ghosts, Bend Sinister and others through international marketing missions.
We have also worked with a number of BC based companies, setting up Business to Business meetings internationally. These include Amelia Artists, 604/Light Organ Records, Tonic Records, Boompa Music, Hybritity Music, Blue Heron Records, Beat Music Management and others.
Getting BC companies and artists out to the world is a big part of the Music BC mandate. We are particularly happy to be able to carry out more missions due to support from CreativeBC and other funders.
It has been a difficult decade for music business funding in BC, but with the creation of CreativeBC, Music BC has a champion for the music industry within the funding system. In fact, Richard Brownsey, the President of CreativeBC, was with the Creative Services branch of the BC government when I started at Music BC. He created the MITAP travel assistance program, which is still available today.
There are a number of BC government priorities that music can play a big role in. Cultural Tourism, Music Tourism, BC Music Exports can all help to increase tax revenues to the Province and help to grow the economy. To this extent, Music Canada was able to convince the government of Ontario to create a $45 million Ontario Music Fund. The Next Big Bang was a very impactful document. Music Canada is now working the National Music Centre located in Calgary and launching 2016. The just released Fertile Ground study for growing the Alberta music industry applies very well to the BC context.
CreativeBC recently completed a BC Music Industry Profile with cooperation from Music BC. This 2014 PwC study shows the challenges and opportunities surrounding the BC music industry. It should be very helpful in establishing a base-line for where BC music stands and where we can realize growth moving forward.
I have recently taken meetings with the BC Government accompanied by Stuart Johnston, President of CIMA. At these meetings, we were able to present the various Provincial and National music studies with an eye to requesting that the BC Government reconsider a tax credit for the music industry, create artist development programming, enhance export marketing opportunities and help to support music business education programs. CIMA Music Study.
While CreativeBC does not have adequate funding to fully support its mandate at this point (the BC Film $2.2 million annual budget was not increased, even though a number of new sectors were added to the mandate), Music BC and the music community is benefiting greatly from having an agency like CreativeBC. We had requested $15 million per annum for the Creative Industries in the Margins to the Mainstream report. There is, therefore, a big advocacy piece that needs attention from the entire creative industry sector.
Without the funding support that other provinces enjoy, Music BC has had to think outside the box in order to provide services to it members. One big success has come from partnering with festivals all over the province to provide artists showcase opportunities and educational workshops. Pemberton, Tall Tree, Rifflandia, Keloha, Arts Wells, Khatsahlano, VicFEST, Mission Folk Festival and many others have hosted Music BC stages and showcases. Being able to offer showcase slots to domestic, national and international festivals and conferences is one of Music BC’s biggest services to its membership.
Tour and Showcase funding support
MAP (Pattison) and MITAP (CreativeBC) funding puts $100,000 per annum into the touring and showcasing pot. The demands on this program are over $400,000 per year, so the pressure on these limited funds is huge. We hope to be able to grow the touring and showcase funding over time.
The Peak Performance Project and other CCD programs
The PPP just completed year 6 of the 7 year CRTC 102.7 The PEAK Canadian Content Development funding. This program accounts for about 80% of the total program funding and 50% of the administrative funding for Music BC. After next fiscal, Music BC will not have the benefit of a fully funded PPP. Having said that, the program has been a spectacular success.
Music BC just completed a Five Year Study of the impact of the program. The study shows the tangible and intangible benefits of the program. PPP alumni have enjoyed national charting on radio, JUNO Awards, WCMA Awards, international tours (USA, Brazil, Europe, UK, Australia), major and major indie label signings and many other incredible results. In addition to this, the BC music community has become invigorated by the program. There is no question that as a model for artist development, this program is working.
Music BC is proud to have administered and produced this program in partnership with 102.7 The PEAK. It is our profound hope that we can continue the PPP is some form past-year 7. We are working hard on that possibility every day. If that does not happen, however, we can take great satisfaction in the successes of the artists who have gone through the PPP. Also, with Alberta just launching their own PPP this year, Canada is guaranteed at least six more years of a Peak Performance Project.
Music BC has also been working closely with Newcap Radio in administering the K96-3 Emerging Artist Project in the BC Interior. While far smaller in scope than the PPP, the principle of integrating education, marketing and funding together has proven to be a great approach for other Music BC programs. In fact, Roundhouse Radio will be launching next year with a new CCD program for artists who produce non-commercial radio songs.
Our Career Development Series has been re-branded and re-focused as a “How-to” series. The idea is to create education programming that is practical, hands-on and directly applicable to artist and industry business practices. By allowing attendees to get more one-on-one time with panelists, the take-away is so much more impactful. The feed-back for this new structure has been phenomenal.
CCMIA (Bell Songwriting Program and Executive Director)
The Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations has been around for 10 years, but it is only in the past few years that the organization is getting some real traction federally with Heritage, the CRTC and other national associations. With 10,000 paid members represented, the CCMIA has the broadest base of representation. One critical addition that happened very recently is the addition of Music Ontario to the council. There are now 12 members representing all provinces (except Quebec) and two territories. We also just hired John Bartlett from Ottawa as an Executive Director of the CCMIA. This is an important milestone in the development of the CCMIA. I am presently the President of the CCMIA and am involved with much of the advocacy positions.
A new project that is launching in 2015 is the Bell Media National Songwriting Challenge. Every MIA will be producing a songwriting workshop with co-writing workshops and demo recording. This is a $100,000 program per annum for seven years.
While we were sad to see Rick Fenton leave the WCMAs (but he ended up becoming the ED of Music Ontario – which is fantastic), we are pleased that Robyn Stewart agreed to become our new Executive Director. This year, I was finally able to step down from the role as President after 6 years, however I will remain very active on the executive as Past-President. Christine Rogerson, Union Events, is the new President. I am excited that the WCMA will have new energy moving forward.
BreakOut West/WCMA is coming to Victoria in September 2015. BOW will be teaming up with Rifflandia for this one year only. It is a great opportunity to showcase BC talent to the country and the world. Normally, the event attracts 25+ international delegates. We expect the Victoria BOW to attract even more buyers and delegates from around the globe. In order to keep the event relevant, the board is setting up a strategic planning session in late January 2015 in Victoria.
Sara Stasiuk did a wonderful job as chair of the National Advisory Board (“NAB”) for the last few years. Sara has had an observer seat with the FACTOR board that has helped to bolster the Music Industry Association (“MIA”) position and grass-roots artist/regional industry support within the FACTOR system. Scott Long from Music Nova Scotia will be taking over the FACTOR NAB chair role.
The NAB plays an important role within FACTOR in ensuring that the programs stay relevant and impactful for all of the regions of Canada. The NAB advises on eligibility criteria, funding allocations between programs, collective initiatives allocations and other FACTOR program issues. While this body has no decision making power, it has made a profound impact over the years as to how FACTOR has developed and changed.
The MIAs serve as the FACTOR affiliate offices for each of the provinces. We work hard to make sure that our members feel supported with FACTOR program applications. We also get the word out about FACTOR program changes and deadlines.
In 2014, we were very happy to be able to add new staff with Meagan Davidson and Erica McLachlin. Meagan heads up a new position of Communications and Member Services. The idea was to make sure that we have a clear social media and communications strategy, and it seems to be working. Erica has come on board to help out Savannah Wellman who has grown into the position of Program Manager. Savannah has a large number of programs and events to coordinate and Erica has been brought in to assist in the delivery of these projects. Of course, without the new funding from CreativeBC, we would not be able to have hired Erica. We are very grateful for that support.
Moving into the 2015/2016 fiscal is both exhilarating and challenging. While we will be enjoying a very well financed year, we are also coming to the end of a CCD radio funding cycle. This means that after April 1, 2016, Music BC is vulnerable. Your board and staff have spent a great deal of time developing a strategy to transition Music BC to a new funding paradigm. Diversification of funding streams is critical in this plan. Growing the relevance of Music BC and its membership is also of the utmost importance. While we do have some time, we also realize that we cannot wait until the last minute to make sure that Music BC stays strong and well funded.
From the Music BC staff, myself, President Scott Johnson and the Board of Directors, I want to wish all of the BC music industry a very happy holiday season and hope that 2015 is a very prosperous and fruitful year.
Music BC Industry Association
