Record in BC

Check the eligibility line first, because the name misleads: Record in BC is not for BC artists. It exists to bring established out-of-province and international artists to record in British Columbia, keeping BC studios, producers and session players in work. If you live in BC, the equivalent is Creative BC's Career Development programme. In a band, more than half the permanent members must live outside BC; an even split also sends you to Career Development.

"Established" has teeth. Creative BC looks for substantial music earnings — it suggests around CAD $30,000 a year to be competitive — a professional team, press and radio history, a body of commercially released work, touring history and a real audience. The application must be submitted by a business: your own music company or your label, with a business number and a financial interest in the recording. Managers and studios can help write it but cannot be the applicant.

Grants are CAD $10,000–$30,000, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, and your project budget must be at least $20,000. Combined public funding cannot exceed 75%, with an exception for Indigenous artists. Eligible costs are recording, mixing and mastering with BC studios and producers, plus travel, accommodation up to $400 a night and per diems up to $80 a day. Touring, marketing, video and demos are not covered.

Intake is rolling until 30 October 2026 at 4pm PT, or until the $300,000 budget runs out, with monthly review. You need a budget, proof of business registration and a letter of intent from the BC studio or producer. Scoring weighs track record, economic impact, label and team, equity, and budget; projects hiring BC producers and with earlier confirmed dates are more competitive.