Year in Review: The CLMA Looks Back on 2020

Written By Canadian Live Music Association

Dear CLMA members, community and industry stakeholders,

As we look back on 2020, many things come to mind. But what stands above for me is the way we have come together as a community - to fight together, to help each other, to find our way...to not just survive, but determined to thrive, despite the crushing reality live music is facing.

I was hired by the CLMA in its first year, 2014, to help create and build this association. My main priority, and biggest challenge, was to demonstrate the ‘value’ of working together, to bring you (so many diverse stakeholders) to the table, to identify our common goals and meet them head-on them as a sector, united in the knowledge that our work - our story - matters greatly… for artists, for fans, for our economy and for our country.

The irony is not lost on any of us I’m sure, that of all things a global pandemic has helped to further entrench our spirit and resilience, and shone a spotlight on why working together is not only impactful - but essential.

I’m proud of our industry, so many of you have led the way. And I’m proud of the CLMA, and our accomplishments in 2020. That said, I am cognisant that many continue to fall through the cracks, and may not be able to see light at the end of this dark tunnel. I’m cognisant that even though we have seen some positive outcomes, so much work remains. I’m cognisant that the clock is ticking… and that is why your association will not rest until we are done. When that is, we don’t know. What our world will look like, we don’t know. Until then, we are here - doing what associations do: fiercely championing our members, supporting you in your every need, influencing public policy on behalf of those needs, and paving a path forward and out of the crisis on your behalf.

It is with this in mind you have our promise that no matter what 2021 brings us, the CLMA will be working for you, every single day. If you are not a CLMA member, please consider showing your support by joining. Please add your voice and strengthen our ability to be heard and advocate for greater support and relief.

As we seek to know the unknowable, we do so together.

Happy new year. Please read on for live music advocacy and other highlights from 2020.

Erin Benjamin
President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association

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IN THIS ISSUE
Advocacy News
Research
Programming & Professional Development
Annual General Meeting, Board, and Governance
Looking forward to 2021

Advocacy News

“CLMA has been a consistent and clear resource for the entire music industry during the COVID crisis. Their work on behalf of our live industry in particular has been critical in the potential recovery of the music business in Canada.”
- Sheri Jones, Artist Manager, Jones & Co

HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Consistent quantification and advocacy of the impact of the crisis on the sector, leading to (among other results) the $23m for live music through Canadian Heritage’s Phase 2 emergency relief fund, inclusion of for-profit festivals and agents, inclusion of folks without previous Canada Council funding

  • Strategic advocacy efforts in partnership with the Hardest Hit Coalition, leading to the creation of targeted support measures including the Hardest Hit Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) and the addition of $181.5 million in 2021-22 to the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts to expand their funding programs

  • The first association to gather sector-wide information on the potential effects of the pandemic and to reach out to government with relief recommendations

  • Presented sector-specific insurance concerns and recommendations to Ontario’s Finance Minister, including a change to legislation where “immunity” is concerned (regarding insurance) and the implementation of legislative tools to protect live music companies in the face of outright loss of liability coverage

  • Regular response to Public Health regulations, provincially and federally, provided to government

  • Provided timely response and recommendations on BDC BCAP program regulations

  • Provided timely response and recommendations on CERB program eligibility

  • Provided timely response and recommendations on CEWS, including extension of the program and recent increase from 65% to 75% in the Fall Economic Statement

  • Created and provided COVID-19 Resources for the live music community on the CLMA website

  • Curated information sessions and professional development panels featuring domestic and international leaders in topics including events safety, insurance, PPE, and mental health

  • Addressed CECRA and CERS gaps and outreach to government

  • Represented the live music sector and presented recommendations to address ongoing challenges impacting the live music sector at Mayor Tory’s Summit on the Future of the Hotels, Entertainment, and Hospitality Sectors

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

Our government communications include but are not limited to:

Research

Throughout 2020, the CLMA has gathered information from the live music community including but not limited to the efficacy of subsidy rollouts, losses incurred due to shutdowns, and challenges unique to subsectors. We thank you for your participation in our surveys; your voice matters.

RE:VENUES: A CASE AND PATH FORWARD FOR TORONTO'S LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY

The CLMA study measuring the economic and cultural impact of Toronto’s live music venues was released on October 8, 2020 at a virtual news conference hosted by the City of Toronto and the CLMA, in partnership with Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, supported by Ontario Creates. The study, entitled Re:Venues: A Case and Path Forward for Toronto’s Live Music Industry, outlines the contributions of the industry and includes recommendations for actions needed to support and protect live music venues through this economic uncertainty and beyond.

According to the report, each venue closure costs an average of $575,000 in annual GDP contributions, and $148,000 in provincial and federal taxes. Since March 2020, Nordicity estimates the shutdown of music venues in Toronto cost the city’s economy $99M in GPP, the equivalent of 1,480 jobs.

Read the full press release here.

Programming & Professional Development

Since mid-March 2020, the CLMA has curated information sessions and professional development panels as often as three times per week to support the Canadian live music sector through the crisis. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our incredible contributors, who were very generous with their time.

See below for some highlights from this year’s programming:

  • Federal Relief Loan Programs

  • Event Cancellation Insurance

  • Bringing them Back: What Recent Research and Statistics Are Telling Us About Recovery/Reopening

  • CLMA Standing Festivals Meeting: *SPECIAL SESSION* with Jim Cuddy in conversation with Shauna de Cartier

  • Listening: Understanding Perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour in the Canadian live Music Industry

  • Keeping Your Brand Alive While the Doors Are Shut

  • Licensing Live (Stream) II: Licensing Process Tips & Cost Considerations

  • All You’ve Never Wanted to Know About PPE (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)

  • Our Future, Your Future: Identifying and Dismantling Barriers to Women in the Live Music Industry

  • Strategies to Address Harassment in the Live Music Industry

Some of our notable featured panelists have included:

  • Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust

  • Jim Cuddy, Artist

  • Alexi Wood, Founding Partner, St. Lawrence Barristers LLP

  • Dr. Stuart Weiss, Founder, Intelligent Crowd Solutions

  • Victoria Shen, Labour and Human Rights Lawyer; Special Advisor, ACTRA

  • Terri Mann, Vice-President Financing, BDC

  • Steve Adelman, Vice President, Event Safety Alliance

  • David Robinson, Interim President & CEO, Destination Canada

  • ShoShona Kish, Artist; Chair and Founder, Indigenous Music Advisory Council

  • Dan Moulton, Vice President, Crestview Strategy

  • Sean Casey, Vice President, Global Public Affairs

  • Janet Sellery, Health & Safety Consultant, Sellery Health + Safety; Chair, Event Safety Alliance Canada

Missed a session? All recordings are archived and made available to members upon request. Please contact vshepherd@canadianlivemusic.ca to access recordings of our previous panels.

AGM, Board and Governance

CLMA 2020-2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our 2020-2021 leadership team will continue to ensure the association leans in--even harder--on our priorities. The new Board reflects the CLMA’s commitment to representing our members through gender, diversity, regionality and, role in the industry.

The CLMA thanks our wonderful outgoing board members, Louis Thomas, Nick Blasko, and Kim Rayworth, for their many contributions.

CLMA's full 2020-2021 Board can be found here.

ANNUAL REPORT

Read more about the effort and accomplishments of the CLMA in the 2020 Annual Report here. 

Looking forward to 2021

KINAXIS INCONCERT

On December 14, the CLMA and Kinaxis unveiled details of Kinaxis InConcert, a new performance of up to 30 concerts live streamed from stages across Canada. Venues, among other music organizations, can apply for up to $6000 CAD to mount a livestream concert.

Please read the Applicant Information package and access the application form at kinaxis.com/InConcert. Applications will be accepted until February 28.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Canadian Live Music Association to sponsor a concert series that will put our talented artist community back on stage, where they belong, and for the venues to bring their music to their fans. After all, music is food for the soul and we could all use as much nourishment as we can get.”
-John Sicard, CEO, Kinaxis

Read the full press release here. 

CLOSING THE GAP: IMPACT AND REPRESENTATION OF BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOUR (BIPOC) LIVE MUSIC WORKERS IN CANADA

The CLMA and its partners are conducting a national research study to quantify the impact and representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) live music workers in Canada. The study will examine the demographic representation of live music workers by role and explore the challenges and barriers that impede BIPOC participation within the industry. The final report will include recommendations for the live and broader music community, industry, public, and government regarding the implementation of more inclusive practices moving forward.

The CLMA invites qualified consultants to submit proposals for this project in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the following Request for Proposals. Please submit proposals to nauger@canadianlivemusic.ca by January 18, 2021 at 5:00pm ET.

Thank you to all of our partners and the many artists, industry workers, and organizations who have guided and supported our development of this project during its early planning stages. We will continue to ensure that a wide range of stakeholder perspectives shape the direction and research questions driving the study. Please direct and questions to nauger@canadianlivemusic.ca.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW PARAGIDM: LEADING LIVE MUSIC INTO OUR FUTURE

Over the next few months, the CLMA will be rolling out a new professional development program focusing on the safe reopening and return of the live music industry in Canada, considering:

  • the development and implementation of physical safety measures

  • the prioritization of inclusivity in all practices and programming

This program will include a series of training and educational sessions on physical safety measures, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion, curated for live music industry professionals.

Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

“It’s been an unexpected, unprecedented, and challenging year for the live music industry, resulting in a need for even more tireless advocacy, communication, and professional development from our association. We are proud of our members, their resilience, and their efforts to adapt. Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to support our community through the months ahead.”
- Jesse Kumagai, President & CEO, Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall; CLMA Board Chair

Canadian Live Music Association
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