Artist Entrepreneur West Program Heads to Edmonton for 2024 Session
Deadline for Western and Northern Canadian artists to apply is July 14
(July 8, 2024 – Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB) Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) are teaming up with CKUA Radio to host this year's Artist Entrepreneur West (AE West) professional development program in Edmonton. Western and Northern Canadian artists have until July 14 at 11:59 pm MT to apply.
“NMC is proud to continue supporting the AE West program that has benefited so many artists in Alberta and across Western Canada,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, Director of Programs, National Music Centre. “Edmonton has such a vibrant arts scene. Bringing this important professional development program to Edmonton for 2024 will make it more accessible to artists in the Edmonton region and Northern parts of Canada.”
AE West is designed to empower emerging artists by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in the music industry. Artists will benefit from personalized mentorship, industry workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on training. The program aims to bridge the gap between artistic talent and career sustainability. The eighth edition of the AE West program will take place from November 4 to December 5, 2024 at CKUA Radio in Edmonton.
"After five years in Calgary and two years online, we're excited to take AE West on the road for the first time with the support of our partners at the National Music Centre and CKUA Radio," said Gianna Antonacci, Programs Manager, CMI. “By shifting AE West to Edmonton this year, we're able to extend our reach into new a community, make CMI more accessible and serve more artists."
AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, and NMC. The majority of costs for the program are offset thanks to the generous support of the TD Ready Commitment, Stingray Radio, and the Government of Canada. Many notable artists have benefitted from the program, including 2024 WCMA-nominated pop artist Kayla Williams, 2022 Project WILD Top 12 Finalist Alex Hughes, 2020 JUNO Award-winning soul-folk singer Celeigh Cardinal, and more.
Eligible artists must be 18 years old or over and actively writing, recording, releasing (or about to release) music, and performing live. Interviews will be conducted with appropriate candidates over the summer prior to program invitations.
Interested, eligible artists can apply by July 14 at canadasmusicincubator.com/aewest.
About AE West
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program (since 2012), AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists also have ongoing access to CMI mentors and industry resources post-program.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,700+ emerging music entrepreneurs, across all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. To date, CMI has provided 12,500+ hours of programs and mentorship. CMI Live works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities. Some 2,000+ shows have been programmed, paying $3 million directly to artists. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
About CKUA Radio Network
Founded in 1927, CKUA Radio Network is Canada's first educational broadcaster and one of Alberta’s foremost cultural ambassadors. Recognized as the voice of Alberta and Canadian musicians, artists and cultural enthusiasts, the station has a long and proud history of championing the early careers and talents of emerging and undiscovered Albertan/Canadian talent—from k.d. lang and Corb Lund to 100 Mile House and Reuben and the Dark. For more information, please visit ckua.com.
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Media contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Publicist
National Music Centre
T 403.543.5123
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada