Where the money is and how to access it

Page 6

Music Biz 101

Besides shedding blood, sweat and tears, an artist needs to "spend money to make money." Thankfully, there are a number of financial resources with varying eligibility criteria that support the music industry.

The various arts councils in each province and the Canada Council for the Arts (1-800-263-5588) have some programs geared specifically to the Aboriginal population. Peer assessment juries and budget limitations are key in determining who gets funded and for how much. For the respective arts councils, there is never enough money to support the majority of its applicants. So if you get refused the first time, no harm done in resubmitting your application for the next deadline.

Canadian Heritage created the Canada Music Fund with eight programs geared to supporting the sound recording industry. Programs such as the Canadian Musical Diversity Program and the Collective Initiatives Program are aimed at project-specific activities and to monitor "Canada's musical heritage."

The Canada Music Fund distributes funding to FACTOR. Founded in 1982, FACTOR is the Foundation to Assist Talent on Records, which provides financial assistance through loans and grants to develop the independent recording industry in Canada. With an annual budget of more than $7 million, FACTOR's contributors also include 16 radio broadcasters. It administers the Department of Heritage's Sound Recording Development Program Support through 15 programs.

The range of financial contribution differs for each FACTOR program. It assists recording artists and songwriters with demo recording, sound recording, video production, promotion and publicity, support for domestic and international touring, including support to record producers, music engineers, and distributors-basically all the areas that a recording artist needs to venture into in domestic and international markets. Their Web site is www.factor.ca and the phone number is (416) 351-1361. The French speaking population in Quebec must apply to MusicAction at www.musicaction.ca.

Although CIRPA (Canadian Independent Recording Production Agency) does not contribute funds directly to individual record companies, it lays the groundwork by lobbying for a more stable independent music scene. CIRPA is a mainstay at international music tradeshows that co-ordinate the Canada Stand made up of independent recording companies contributing.

The key to applying for any loan or grant is to thoroughly review the eligibility requirements. Case in point. Previously, the eligibility requirements to obtain funding for Aboriginal artists were restrictive. So much so, that in Kashtin's early recording days, MusicAction (in Quebec) would not fund the Innu duo because they sang in another language other than French. Kashtin received the same response when directed to FACTOR. Upon further enquiry and discussion, it was determined in January 1999 that "FACTOR was requesting a translation of non-English lyrics only to ensure that the content was not discriminatory or contrary to law. . . New application forms being created by FACTOR will take a different approach to determine that the lyrical content of a song is acceptable to community standards."

The concern as it applies to eligibility criteria is that, at the time, it effectively ruled out financial support for music sung in an Aboriginal language. It was pointed out that Aboriginal languages cannot be translated verbatim since these languages are fluid and convey a spiritual and physical dimension.

As an Aboriginal person and an artist's agent, it is my belief that by requesting an English or French version serves only to diminish and to negate the value of our culture and languages. Effectively, it imposes upon the artist the unnecessary need to convey ideas in English that were meant to be in his/her Aboriginal language.

It takes organizational lobbying efforts through such organizations like CIRPA and the American Federation of Musicians t affect change. Since there is no ombudsperson for Aboriginal music issues, it also takes the individual, whether artist, agent, or other affected person or group to ensure accessibility and equitable treatment. And, demonstrate that it is not special treatment!

This column is for reference and education only and is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. The author assumes no responsibility or liability arising from any outdated information, errors, omissions, claims, demands, damages, actions, or causes of actions from the use of any of the above.

Ann Brascoupe owns What's Up Promotions, a company specializing in promoting booking, and managing Aboriginal artists across Canada. She can be reached at abrascoupe@hotmail.com.