MusicNL: Music Cultivated at Home and Celebrated Everywhere

Latest News

2025 MusicNL Awards and Stages Submissions Now Open

The 2025 MusicNL Awards and Stages submissions are now open for artists and industry. Music release dates must fall between the eligibility period of April 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.

For a complete list of MusicNL Awards categories, Stages criteria, eligibility rules, and voting criteria, visit musicnl.ca/mnlw2025. Submit now at the link below. Submissions close Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 11:59pm NT.

New for 2025

Three new awards: Songwriter of the Year (non-performer), Sound on Screen Award and International Touring Artist of the Year
Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year shifts to focus on performing songwriters
A limit to recurring recipients in certain industry categories
All showcases are now part of our export initiatives
Revised export-ready criteria for Stages (showcases)
New application platform – one profile per applicant
One platform for Awards, Stages and Funding applications.
New demographic information collected

Key Dates for 2025

May 28 – Application intake closes

August 1 – Nominees announced

August 10 – Voting closes

September 1 – Stages (showcases) selected

November 12 – MusicNL Week opens with Industry Awards

November 13, 14, 15 – MusicNL Week Conference and showcases

November 15 – MusicNL Week Gala and Awards

November 16 – MusicNL Week Songwriter Circle

Click here to apply for 2025 MusicNL Awards and Stages

Click here to download the 2025 MusicNL Awards and Stages Guidelines

Important News About Our Funding Programs

In recent years, MusicNL has benefited from additional provincial funding through Come Home Year and Year of the Arts. These amounts helped support increases to our regular funding programs and some special initiatives. The additional provincial allocations have come to an end for the 2025-26 fiscal year. In order to foster our industry and continue supporting as many projects as possible, MusicNL has made some changes to funding programs for 2025-26.

Starting April 1, 2025, the following changes to funding programs will be in effect:

Professional Development: project funding will be to a maximum of 75% of the total eligible costs or total request, whichever is lower.
Touring Programs: funding will remain the same, without the additional allocation.
Artist Development: funding will remain the same, without the additional allocation.
Community Presenters Program: this program has now ended. MusicNL will not be accepting any further applications for 2025-26.
Small Business Micro Grant: this program has now ended. MusicNL will not be accepting any further applications for 2025-26.

Our Funding Programs

Webinar: Awards & Stages Applications

Join Us for a Walkthrough of MusicNL’s New Awards and Stages Application Platform!

MusicNL is rolling out a new and improved application platform—designed to make the process easier for everyone. Applications for MusicNL Week 2025 awards and stages will be accepted through this new platform from Thursday, May 1 at 8:00AM NT – Wednesday, May 28 at 11:59PM NT.

We know that change comes with questions, and we’re here to help! Join us on May 1 for a live webinar, where we’ll take you on a guided tour of the new platform, walk through the application process, and answer your questions in real time.

Whether you’re applying for award nomination or showcases or preparing for future applications, this session is a great opportunity to get familiar with the system.

📅 Webinar Details
🗓 Date: Thursday, May 1
⏰ Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm NT
📍 Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)

A recording of the webinar will also be posted on our website if you cannot attend on May 1.

WE’RE HIRING!

Marketing and Communications Manager

Looking to work in a dynamic and engaging music organization? We’re looking to hire a new team member as Marketing and Communications lead. Learn more about the position and application process here!

MusicNL Job Board

MusicNL AGM: May 22, 2025

The purpose of the meeting is to:

Approve the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting.

Review the Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

Appoint the Auditors for fiscal year 2024-2025;

Elect the new slate of directors.

Meeting documents will be sent by email to registrants, and available on MusicNL’s website by May 1, 2025.

To attend the Electronic AGM please register HERE by Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 10am NT.

Details to access the AGM will be sent to all registrants by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 5pm NT.

AGM RSVP

MusicNL Open House April 24 2025

We’ve had a few unexpected hiccups and must unfortunately postpone this event. We’re working to re-schedule in May or June, and we’ll let you know as soon as we have a new date.

In the meantime, please feel free to drop by during our in-person office hours or make an appointment with us.

Artist Development Intake Now Open: Welcome to the New Application Platform!

Applications are now being accepted through our new application platform. While the platform is different, the application itself remains the same. We recommend allowing yourself extra time to familiarize yourself with the new platform.

Join us on Wednesday April 2 at 6:00pm NT for a live webinar where we’ll walk through the new platform, show you how to navigate the system, and answer your questions.
Register now! Can’t make it tonight? We will post the recording at the link below, which will be available tomorrow.

Set aside extra time to create your profile and get to know the platform before the submission deadline on April 14.

📅 Deadline: April 14, 2025, 11:59pm NT
🔗 Apply now: Click Here

If you have any questions about the application process or need assistance navigating the new platform, don’t hesitate to reach out.

MusicNL Mixer at Open Mic at The Ship

New for April, our Open Mic will also be a MusicNL mixer! Come early for the networking, stay for the music, and maybe even share a song. 🎶🤝

After hearing feedback that our members want more time to mingle, we’re trying out something new. The MusicNL team will also join in the mix – see you there!

📅 Monday, April 7 | 🕖 Mixer at 7:30pm, Open Mic at 8:30pm | 📍The Ship

Join Us for a Walkthrough of MusicNL’s New Application Platform!

MusicNL is rolling out a new and improved application platform—designed to make the process easier for everyone. Starting with our April 1 Artist Development intake, this new system will track applications, keep funding history, and automate key admin tasks like reporting reminders and contracts. Over the coming months, we’ll expand the platform to include all MusicNL programs and awards applications.

We know that change comes with questions, and we’re here to help! Join us on April 2 for a live webinar, where we’ll take you on a guided tour of the new platform, walk through the application process, and answer your questions in real time.

Whether you’re applying for funding this April or preparing for future applications, this session is a great opportunity to get familiar with the system as soon as it rolls out.

📅 Webinar Details
🗓 Date: April 2
⏰ Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm NT
📍 Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)

Register now and save the date!

A recording of the webinar will also be posted on our website if you cannot attend on April 2.

If you’re planning to apply for the April Artist Development intake, we recommend setting aside time to familiarize yourself with the new platform. We also recommend that you start preparing your application offline. To help you begin work before the platform launch, an offline version of the application form for Artist Development is available now on our website.

We’re here to support you every step of the way! If you have any questions before the webinar, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Programs Manager, Mariana.

Coming Soon: New and Improved Application Platform!

Through recent consultations and feedback, we’ve heard that our application process is admin-heavy, and we want to make things easier for members. We’re excited to announce that we’re introducing a new program application platform!

Starting with our April Artist Development program intake, this platform will streamline the application process, making it easier for applicants to submit to our programs, track their funding history, and manage reports. In the coming months, we’ll work to move all our funding programs and awards applications to this new platform.

Follow the link below for more details:

New Application Program

2025 ECMA Nominees

Newfoundland and Labrador Artists and Industry Earn 54 ECMA Nominations!

Newfoundland and Labrador’s music scene is in the spotlight for the 2025 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs). Artists and music companies account for 54 of the ECMA nominations announced today . This year’s event returns to St. John’s for the first time since 2015, bringing the best of East Coast music to the capital city from May 7-11, 2025.

This year’s nominees from Newfoundland and Labrador earned big nods in three major categories; Fan’s Choice Awards (presented by TD) with seven out of eleven nominations, as well as both Dance and Country Release of the Year with three out of six and five nominations respectively.

Follow the link below for more details:

2025 ECMA Nominees

MusicNL Week is Back!

Mark your calendars as MusicNL Week returns to St. John’s from November 12 to 16, 2025. We’re already hard at work planning four days chock-full of offerings for artists, music industry and fans alike, including: downtown venue shows, daytime networking, export trade, artist showcases, one-on-one business meetings and two awards shows. And we’re thrilled to have confirmed a few early export delegates. Follow the link below for more info!

MusicNL Week Is Back!

MusicNL at Folk Alliance International 2025

MusicNL to showcase 22 artists at Folk Alliance International!

MusicNL is bringing its largest-ever group of artists to FAI, including 5 Francophone artists—another exciting first! Taking place in Montreal next month, FAI is the world’s largest folk music gathering, connecting artists and industry professionals for five days of showcases, networking, and career-building opportunities.

This milestone reflects MusicNL’s investment in exporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s talent to global markets. By showcasing our artists on this international stage, we’re creating pathways for career growth, industry development, and new opportunities that extend far beyond this event.

For more info, follow the link below

MusicNL at FAI2025

MusicNL x Music Nova Scotia Basic Training

MusicNL is thrilled to partner with Music Nova Scotia to bring their online Basic Training program to MusicNL members—free of charge! This program offers an incredible opportunity to gain essential music industry knowledge and skills. Professional development is a cornerstone of artist success, and we’re excited to support your journey with these expert-led sessions.

Schedule:

Feb. 3 7:30 PM Business Basics
Feb. 5 7:30 PM Social Media
Feb. 10 7:30 PM Streaming
Feb. 12 7:30 PM Marketing
Feb. 20 7:30 PM Building Your Team
Feb. 24 7:30 PM Live Performance
March 3 7:30 PM Royalties For Master Owners & Musicians
March 5 7:30 PM Financials
March 10 7:30 PM Conferencing & Showcasing
March 12 7:30 PM Royalties for Songwriters
March 13 7:30 PM Recording
March 20 7:30PM Funding

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your expertise, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your skills and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.

This is just one of the many ways MusicNL is working to support our members. Let’s build your success together!

MusicNL Online Learning Library

We’re so excited to roll out a series of online learning videos—giving you access to valuable insights and expert advice wherever you are!

Kicking off the series are three videos from our 2024 conference, gathering delegates from our Export Buyers Program as they discuss the festival circuit, album release planning, and streaming!

These videos are just the beginning. As we continue to build the Online Learning Library, we’re working towards expanding to include a broad variety of resources—a go-to hub for artists and industry professionals at all levels of their careers.

Check out the first instalment of Online Learning Library content at the link below!

Online Learning Library

Office Closure

MusicNL will be moving offices on Friday, November 15. But don’t worry, we won’t be going far! Our new HQ will be in the same building (99 Queens Road), and the entrance will be at the corner of Longs Hill and Queens Road.

We’ll need a bit of office downtime to set up the new space, so we’ll be suspending on-site office hours for the remainder of November. If you need anything from us during that time period, we’re here by email, and our phone lines will still be working, so please keep in touch.

November 2024 Artist Development Program Refresh Update

After three years of consultation, study and review, MusicNL has made some changes to our Artist Development funding program. Starting at our next intake, applicants will be required to apply to the funding tier that best suits their career path. This means artists will have a better chance of receiving the funding they apply for. The program has also widened the scope of fundable activities to include songwriting, marketing and single production. As well, higher tiered funding will see some changes to the eligibility and reimbursement rates for out-of-province expenses.

For more information on the Funding Program Refresh process, visit the Program Refresh page here: https://musicnl.ca/funding-program-refresh/

To learn more about the Artist Development program, click here: https://musicnl.ca/artist-development-program/

The next deadline for the Artist Development Program is December 3, 2024 11:59pm NT.

We Are Listening

In recent weeks there has been a lot of discussion around changes in ECMAs programs and awards. MusicNL wants to assure its members, and the greater music community of Newfoundland and Labrador that we’ve been listening to all voices contributing to the discussion, and have kept in regular contact with regional MIA and ECMA leadership.

We hope that export activities (both at the 5-day ECMA event, and year-round), which are a major value proposition for our membership and provincial industry, continue to be a priority in planning and investment for the ECMAs, particularly as the event approaches its return to St John’s for the first time since 2015.

If you have thoughts you would like to share with us, we welcome your voice. Please feel free to attend one of our upcoming Community Consultation Sessions and/or email us (comms@musicnl.ca)

Community Consultation Sessions

Music community! Your voice counts – we want your input!

Our staff and board are working on planning 2025 and will soon develop a new 3-year strategic plan. We need your help to build these tools! What would you like to see MusicNL offer in the future? How can we remain relevant to the ever-changing needs of Newfoundland and Labrador’s music industry? Are you a member who would like to see more? Are you interested in joining MusicNL, but thinking there’s something more we could offer that would make you REALLY interested?

MusicNL exists to serve, promote, and celebrate the Newfoundland and Labrador music community, but we can’t do that without hearing from the people we’re here to support. Come join us in an open forum to share your perspective!

Join us for our upcoming in-person or virtual Community Consultation Sessions! There are three sessions:

Wednesday, November 13, 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Battery Cafe (capacity limited, RSVP before Nov 12)
Thursday, November 14, 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Virtual
Saturday, November 16, 1:00pm – 3:00pm – Virtual

Please register at the following link by Monday, November 11th. https://form.jotform.com/242967830435060

Congratulations to all the 2024 MusicNL Award Recipients!

MusicNL celebrated the province’s best and brightest artists and industry at the 2024 MusicNL Awards Gala, which took place at the St. John’s Convention Centre on Saturday September 7. The event, hosted by comedian Matt Wright, featured the presentation of 20 awards including Shanneyganock receiving the MusicNL Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award. Sensational performances were given by, Ana Luísa Ramos,Valmy, Justin Fancy, Kellie Loder, Liz Fagan Band, Maria Cherwick & Jockey Special, Rachel Cousins, Silver Wolf Band, The Order of the Precious Blood and Shanneyganock. The show also included a special performance by The Modern Saints as a tribute to the late Denis Parker, the founding Executive Director of MusicNL.

Of the awards handed out, Rum Ragged led the way with 3 awards, followed by Ana Luísa Ramos, With Violet, and Kellie Loder with two awards each. Many first-time MusicNL award winners were also celebrated: Iris Trio (Classical Artist of the Year), Summer Bennett (Indigeous Artist of the Year), Adrian House (Jazz Artist of the Year), The Order of the Precious Blood (Loud Artist of the Year), Andrew Rodgers (Rising Star), Len O’Neil (Rising Star) , Hunter Madden (Side Musician of the Year), and Valmy (Solo Artist of the Year). The gala marked the culmination of Music Celebration Week, a 4-day whirlwind of industry development, professional training and export investment that included more than 30 showcase performances, 15 panels and workshops, 340 curated business meetings and 33 awards presentations. Thanks to the investment of provincial and federal funders, MusicNL invited nearly 50 talent buyers, labels and key industry tastemakers to soak up talent and do business with the province’s music industry. Music Celebration Week, including the MusicNL conference, is an integral part of the growth of the province’s thriving music sector which brings significant economic and cultural impact to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Click Here To See The Full List of 2025 MusicNL Award Winners

Congratulations 2024 Award Nominees

View Nominees

Here are the steps to renew:

Step 1: go to www.musicnl.ca
Step 2: click the Manage Account button under Membership on the top menu bar
Step 3: Log in using your username and password
Step 4: Under the About tab in your account, you will see the renew button it says:

RENEW, UPGRADE OR UPDATE BILLING

Again if you have any trouble call or email us!

Renew Membership

New Music Monday

Do you have new music? Submit to New Music Monday to be featured on MusicNL’s social media and be added to the New Music Monday 2025 playlist! Releases will also be featured in our newsletter.

Please Provide:

Artist Name
Title of Song/Album/EP
Photo of artist OR album artwork
Link to music or location on where to purchase
short (100 -250 words) about the release
Release Date
Instagram and Facebook handles

Submit New Music

Click here to stay up to date on all of MusicNL’s latests news, opportunities and events! Do you have news for our newsletter? Email Abigail: comms @ musicnl.ca

MusicNL Week 2025: November 12 - 16