The federal and provincial governments plan to give a combined $145,00o to the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative.
The funding will help emerging local musicians with professional development, according to a news release from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
For a long time, Cape Breton has been known as the “music island,” says Marc Botte, president of the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative.
“We pride ourselves at supporting our musicians at every stage of their development and career, and partnerships like this make that mission possible.”
The federal government announced it will spend $85,000, and the provincial government plans to give $60,000 to the project.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency says the program will help artists:
- produce singles and EPs
- make videos
- secure local, national and international showcase opportunities
- collaborations
- compositions
- professional development
The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative is a non-profit organization run by a board of volunteers. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency says 256 members are registered with the cooperative.
The agency says Cape Breton’s music industry is world-renowned and contributes significantly to tourism and job opportunities.
In the last three years, the cooperative’s product development program assisted funding more than 40 recording projects for Cape Breton music artists, the release says.
“This project will help enhance tourism growth and generate activity in the local economy,” says Jaime Battiste, MP for Sydney-Victoria, in the release.
“Our emerging artists are the key to ensuring that music continues to be a vital part of Cape Breton Island’s identity for generations to come,” he says.
