CLMA Responds to Budget 24: Increases for Festivals, Performing Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16th, 2024
While the words “live music” were not to be found together in Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation, today’s announcement did include a much-needed increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF), a program vital to many CLMA non-profit festival and presenting members. Budget 2024 proposes to provide $31 million over two years to help support organizations that professionally present music and arts festivals or performing arts series. This is nearly double the current supplementary funding that has been provided to the program since 2019. From $8 million per year, the program will now receive $15.5 million per year, for two years.
“We would like to thank the government for its recognition of the pressure our industry is under,” said CLMA President & CEO, Erin Benjamin. “The CAPF increase will provide partial, yet essential, relief and is another step in the right direction. We also hope the Canada Music Fund (CMF) increase, announced on March 24th, will directly address pressures the commercial side of the live music industry is facing, especially independent live music venues. Together, these increases represent a critical opportunity for Canada’s touring infrastructure, and will have immediate impact for artists, tourism and the future of live music across the country.”
The CLMA would like to acknowledge the hard work and leadership of the #FutureOfLIVE coalition, and its members from coast to coast to coast who worked together to amplify our united voice and message.
The CLMA will continue to review the full budget document to identify any other potential opportunities for Canada’s live music sector.
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CONTACT
Erin Benjamin
President & CEO
Canadian Live Music Association