Are you a live music worker? If so, you may be eligible to apply for the Unison Fund’s Live Music Workers Fund!
The Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, has awarded the Unison Fund almost $16.9 million to distribute to live music workers. Three other national organizations (Fondation des Artistes, The Actors Fund of Canada, and the Canadian Dance Assembly) also received funding to distribute to other live performing arts communities.
Unison has built a new online application portal to distribute this new funding stream, and is ready to accept applications from July 6, 2022, until March 31, 2023.
All qualified applicants – independent and self-employed workers in the live music sector – will receive a one-time payment of $2,500 through the funding stream Live Music Workers Fund, to support themselves and their families with basic living expenses, such as groceries, shelter (rent), and medical expenses.
All eligible applicants must be:
- Individuals who’ve worked primarily in the live music industry for at least two consecutive years.
- Individuals who are self-employed or independent workers (i.e., not in a salaried position).
- Individuals who’ve earned at least 55% of their income from the Canadian music industry.
Live Music Occupations may include:
- Artist
- Artist Manager or Management Company
- Booking Agent
- Composer
- Concert Photographer
- Concert Recording Engineer
- Consultant
- DJ
- Event Production/Festival
- Marketing/Communications
- Merchandiser
- Musician
- Production Company
- Promoter
- Publisher
- Publicist/Public Relations/Media
- Retailer (Instruments and Supplies)
- Songwriter
- Stagehand/Roadie
- Talent Buyer
- Technician
- Tour Management/Operator
- Venue
- Video
To start the application process, apply – or register to apply – now at https://unison.smartsimple.ca/.