IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Community Presenters program has now ended. MusicNL will not be accepting any further applications for 2025-26.
BUT BEHOLD!!! The Canadian Live Music Association opened the second edition of Setting the Stage, a micro-grant mentorship and performance program supported by RBC.
Setting the Stage is open to independent live music venues, concert promoters, festivals, and/or others whose core business is hosting and/or promoting live music shows of artists and musicians for audiences. Applicants must be members of the CLMA to apply.
The program is designed to help emerging artists reduce barriers, strengthen industry relationships, and establish a foundation for sustainable career growth.
Each participant benefits from funded mentorship, consisting of internal guidance from a senior staff member at the host organization and external mentorship from an industry professional.
Applications will be accepted from independent CLMA-member promoters, venues, and festivals, in partnership with the chosen artist(s). The proposed concert may be newly booked or pre-existing. Mentorship and performance activities must take place between January 1 and March 28, 2026.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your application in advance of submission, please reach out to settingthestage@canadianlivemusic.ca
If you are not a CLMA member, or need to check your status, please reach out to ourDirector of Operations & Member Engagement, Midhat Mujaddid.
DEADLINE (EXTENDED)
December 4th, 2025 @ 11:59pm ET — Final application deadline
MusicNL wishes to express our profound gratitude to CelebrateNL for their sustained financial support for the Community Presenters program since 2022. Their commitment to our the music industry and community has enabled numerous initiatives that strengthen and enhance the vibrant music sector across the province.
The Community Presenters Program provides investments for non-profit organizations/committees wanting to provide musical experiences for their communities during 2024. Non-profit organizations/committees can avail up to $1500 to help cover the costs associated with hiring musical talent in their community.
Examples of Eligible Expenses:
- Musician Fees
- Travel and accommodations for musicians
- Equipment rentals
Ineligible Expenses:
- Capital Costs
Please include MusicNL logos on promotional material.
You may use the following wording when promoting MusicNL’s contribution: “supported by MusicNL”.
REPORTING
Your final report must include:
1. Evidence of project conclusion:
a. Promotional materials (photos, social media posts, flyers, etc.)
2. Updated budget: Add the actual expenses and income to your original budget. If you used a spreadsheet, just add a new column in the same file, add the new information, and re-send the updated file.
3. Narrative report: Please provide a short description of the event. Here are a few questions for inspiration:
a. How did it go?
b. What have you learned from it? What will you repeat next time, and what not?
c. What was the impact of your project in your community?
This is not required for this year, but if you can, please provide proof of payment used in your project. We understand that some payments to musicians or other professionals could have been cash. For these cases, an invoice would be appreciated.