Career Development

Amplify BC

The Career Development program supports the economic growth and career development of emerging and established B.C. artists in the areas of sound recording, marketing, and music videos.

  Program Closed

This program is now closed.

Results were communicated to all applicants in December 2023. 

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Applications for emerging and established B.C. artists are evaluated by Creative BC staff and a panel of industry professionals, representing a variety of genres, industry backgrounds, regions, and demographics.

Applications are scored according to the priorities of the program, the economic impact of the project, and the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the project.

Would you like to learn more about this popular program, ask questions of Creative BC staff, and discuss your project or idea in greater detail?

Join us at any of the below public info sessions. Get all the details about eligibility, examples of past successful projects, and the application process. We look forward to answering your questions!

These sessions are offered at no cost to participants, but an advance RSVP is required for all platforms but Facebook Live. Info sessions will be conducted in English, and occur in Pacific Time.

Unable to make any of the above info sessions? Please reach out to Creative BC staff directly for support.

View the info session slide deck.

Watch a recording of the Facebook Live info session from July 28, 2023.

One-hour Career Development grant coaching sessions are now available for new and previously unsuccessful applicants from equity-deserving groups and regions of B.C. Grant coaches can provide input on your applications for the Career Development program. 

This includes artists from the following groups: 

  • Indigenous peoples 
  • The Black community 
  • People of Colour 
  • Deaf and Disability community, and those who live with chronic illness or are neurodiverse
  • 2SLGBTQIA+, and gender diverse

This also includes artists from underrepresented regions of B.C.

  • Cariboo 
  • Kootenay 
  • Nechako 
  • North Coast 
  • Northeast 
  • Thompson / Okanagan 
  • Vancouver Island and Coast (excluding the Capital Regional District / City of Victoria) 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Sign up for a Career Development grant coaching session by choosing a coach below, once they are available.
  2. Read the Career Development program guidelines, start writing your grant application before your appointment, and come with specific questions. Share your saved application link or application materials with your grant coach to receive input on your draft.
  3. You are limited to ONE grant coaching session. Please do not sign up for multiple sessions with multiple coaches.

Meet our 2023/24 Career Development grant coaches below:


Curtis Clear Sky (Anishinaabe and Nitsitapii) is an artist-entrepreneur. Curtis owns and operates his independent business, Dignified Records, and is the lead vocalist / emcee of his live band Curtis Clear Sky and the Constellationz who are based out of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsliel Waututh territory in Vancouver. They released their album Indigifunk in 2019. The music consists of Hip-hop with Latin-Funk, Soul, Ska, Reggae & Blues. Curtis was given a title as a Messenger of Truth by the United Nations in June 2006 at the World Urban Forum in Vancouver.  Curtis has received mentorship with music industry professional Robbe Hardnette, who is a former background singer for the late Marvin Gaye of Motown Records. Curtis has also worked closely with musician Kat Hendrix, who played drums on a foundational Hip-hop sampled song Apache. Their single Our Home was released in June 2022, with the music video released in March 2023. A notable career performance was opening for the late & great, legendary Bob Marley’s Wailers at the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival on June 24, 2022. In 2023, a new full-length album is being recorded with Grammy nominated and multi–JUNO Award-winning producer and engineer Garth Richardson at the Farm Studios in Gibsons, B.C., on the Sunshine Coast. They are playing several festivals this year, including Vancouver Island Music Festival, 2 Rivers Remix Moveable Feast, and Harrison Festival. You can find Curtis Clear Sky and the Constellationz’ music on all streaming platforms, connect on social media, and learn more at www.constellationz.com.

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with Curtis Clear Sky.

Dustyn Baulkham is a trailblazing entrepreneur on a mission to create a more inclusive world. Graduating from UBC Okanagan, Dustyn spent a decade in finance before launching his own consulting company. Back in Kelowna, he served as the Workforce Development Officer and Executive Director before becoming the General Manager of the Kelowna Pride Society. Now, at the helm of Rebellious Unicorns Production Company Inc., he produces high-quality events like Peak Pride and FruitCake, spreading inclusivity magic across the country. Dustyn also sits on the board of the Central Okanagan Foundation as the Secretary and was appointed by the BC Government in 2022 to the Okanagan College Board of Governors.During the pandemic, Dustyn’s innovative spirit thrived, leading him to conjure up QUSIC, a groundbreaking music series spotlighting LGBTQ2+ musicians and artists. As if that weren’t enough, he also harnessed the power of technology to give birth to Unicorns.LIVE, a visionary digital platform showcasing diverse content and amplifying underrepresented voices. These dynamic ventures are transforming the virtual landscape, championing inclusivity, and empowering communities during challenging times. Dustyn was also honoured as the 2020 Young LGBT+ Entrepreneur of the Year by the Canadian LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He’s a true visionary leading the charge for change.

Programs supported: Career Development, Live Music

Book a grant coaching session with Dustyn.

Ginalina is a Vancouver-based musician with experience in songwriting, recording, producing, marketing, and touring (nationally and internationally). She has four family folk albums, inspired by the West Coast’s beauty and her four children, which have been recognized with two JUNO nominations, three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and one Western Canadian Music Award. 

Ginalina has written over 25 grant applications and, in recent years, has been funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Creative BC, and FACTOR.  She is excited to use her experience to help emerging (and established) artists along their grant writing processes so that their music careers can develop and expand. 

Languages spoken: English, French, Mandarin, and limited Taiwanese and Cantonese. 

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with Ginalina.

Hussein ‘DJ A-SLAM’ Alidina is a JUNO-nominated DJ, artist and producer based in Vancouver and Surrey. His music centers around Hip-Hop and R&B, but also includes Top 40, EDM, and South Asian Influences. His Juno nomination was for Best Indigenous Album on a project he co-produced for Sto:lo Nation R&B singer, Inez, called Sing Soul Girl, which also won several Western Canadian Music Awards.

The song A-SLAM produced for Vancouver-based pop artist Elise Estrada was supported by  Creative BC, and charted in the top 50 on Adult Contemporary Radio, and was featured on Stingray hit list alongside Calvin Harris and DJ Khaled.

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with A-SLAM.

Nimkish is an artist, songwriter, and artistic producer that works on the shared traditional territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations (aka, Vancouver). Her second studio release, Damage Control, was funded by Creative BC’s Career Development program, and the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. The album landed placement on major Apple Music and Spotify playlists; the first single charted #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

Nimkish’s industry work includes Full Circle: First Nations Performance as one of two Artistic Producers who work to present The Talking Stick Festival, and curate year-round music programming. She works closely with Indigenous artists in the Indigenous arts community, and is happy to offer guidance to anyone who would like to apply to the Amplify BC’s Career Development program or the Live Music Program. 

Programs supported: Career Development, Live Music

Book a grant coaching session with Nimkish.

Mizzy Mejia is a seasoned professional in the music industry, making waves as an Artist Manager, Booking Agent, and Production Manager at Land Back Records. With an impressive background in the business side of the music world, Mizzy boasts over two decades of experience. As a former touring artist, he brings a unique perspective to his role, understanding the challenges and nuances faced by musicians firsthand. Beyond his involvement with Land Back Records, Mizzy also shines as a Production Manager with Timbre Concerts, where his expertise in event planning and management serves artists and audiences in equal measure. With a passion for nurturing talent and a keen eye for emerging trends, Mizzy Mejia remains a driving force in shaping the careers of artists and the future of the music industry.

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with Mizzy.

Sage McBride lives in Fernie, BC, where she is a member and managing partner in the alternative folk rock band Shred Kelly. She is a grant writer through her company Saem House Creative, and has experience writing successful grant applications for Amplify BC, FACTOR, Music BC, and Radio Starmaker. She also works as a booking agency assistant at Midnight Agency. She is passionate about collaboration, and excited to be a grant coach for the Kootenay Region.

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with Sage.

Teon Gibbs is quickly becoming one of the most well-known voices coming out of Canada. The two things that separate Teon from his peers are his show-stopping performances, and his willingness to take risks with and for his art. Complex UK has stated that Teon’s work is always pushing the boundaries of genre and innovation, and that he has “hit on a fusion sound that has been sorely under-explored.”

The Vancouver-based artist is pioneering the way for his company 100 Collective, and their recently launched distribution arm. He is also working on a new project.

Programs supported: Career Development

Book a grant coaching session with Teon.

Yvonne Kushe is a Ugandan-Canadian multidimensional creative, artrepreneur, singer/songwriter, social-emotional educator, and curator. She is also the founder of PolliNATION, an arts collective that seeks to elevate the wellbeing of artists through collaborative workshops and holistic artful experiences both in East Africa and BC Canada.

Yvonne recently won the AFAM  Female Artist of the year 2023 Award. As a recipient of the Career Development grant between 2020 and 2023, as well as sitting on the program’s adjudication panel for Creative BC, Yvonne has amassed an in-depth understanding of grant writing from both applicant and adjudicator perspectives.

Yvonne is thrilled to provide culturally competent grant coaching support to BIPOC, and neurodiverse communities.

Languages spoken: English, Luganda, Runyankole

Programs supported: Career Developmnent

Book a grant coaching session with Yvonne.

Learn more about past Career Development recipients:

Additional funding resources and opportunities:

Searchable industry resources – vendors, grant writers, collaborators, and creative partners that can suppport your proposed project – all hosted on Creative BC’s Knowledge Hub:

Free, on-demand mentorship and support with representation, promotion, marketing, grants, production, and other elements of a successful music career, offered by industry professionals.

Please contact Creative BC staff with any questions about these resources.

If you have questions, or need assistance, please contact:

Joseph Bardsley | Coordinator, Music Programs
Phone: 236-455-6232
Email: jbardsley@creativebc.com
Calendly

Sandy Powlik | Coordinator, Music Programs
Phone: 236-466-1464
Email: spowlik@creativebc.com

Gina Loes | Senior Program Analyst, Music
Phone: 604-730-2253
Email: gloes@creativebc.com
Calendly

Guidelines

Career Development Guidelines 2023/24

Review these guidelines to learn more about how this program works, what makes up a successful project, and how applications are evaluated.

Resources

Career Development Budget Template 2023/24

Use this template to build your project budget.

Career Development Project Plan Template 2023/24

Prepare your responses to each question in this Word document, and attach it to your application form.

Career Development Sample Application Form 2023/24

Use this MS Word version of the application form to draft your responses, and share them with your project team.

Career Development Tip Sheet + FAQ 2023/24

Check out some of the most frequently-asked questions about this program as you plan your application.

Final Report Information for Recipients