AE West to return to Studio Bell in the fall of 2018

Canada’s Music Incubator and National Music Centre announce national call for submissions

(May 1, 2018 – Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB) The AE West program is returning to Studio Bell this fall. Following the successful pilot, Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) are inviting artists of all genres from across Canada who are interested in bettering their craft and their business to apply by June 30, 2018.

AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) is a five-week creative entrepreneurship program designed to help emerging professional artists develop sustainable businesses and careers via hands-on mentorship, networking and collaboration. It all takes place at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary from November 5 to December 7, 2018. Last year’s program included artists from Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, among other Western Canadian cities.

“Based on the artist, industry and community response to last year’s pilot, we had to find a way to bring the AE West program back,” says Vel Omazic, CMI’s Executive Director. Our goal, along with our partners, is to make this a permanent professional development opportunity for artists of all genres based anywhere in Western Canada and beyond. The other objective of this program is to stimulate music industry infrastructure development in the West.”

AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly-regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, NMC and Alberta Music. While the majority of costs are offset thanks to the generous support of Viewpoint Foundation and TD Bank, there is a $1,600 program fee, which also includes ongoing access to CMI mentorship. The program itself is valued at $7,500 per artist.

“No words can express my gratitude towards the AE West program,” says 2017 participant Hope King. “The program gave me the skills, mentorship, and encouragement that I needed to take my career to the next level. Being able to learn and create in such a beautiful atmosphere like Studio Bell felt like a dream, and the friends that I made in the program have become like family to me.”

A dozen artists will have the opportunity to take part in this highly-coveted program that gives artists and bands access to the world-class artist facilities at Studio Bell while receiving customized training from industry professionals.

“Investing in our regional community will continue to be a priority for the National Music Centre, and we are ecstatic to bring this program back to Studio Bell for another season,” said Adam Fox, Director of Programs, National Music Centre. “Twelve incredibly talented emerging artists came through our doors last year and left with an arsenal of new skills and career momentum. We are so proud to support the artistic growth of musicians in Western Canada.”

Eligible artists must be 18-years-old or over and actively writing, recording, releasing (or about to release) music and performing live. Interviews will be conducted with appropriate candidates in July and August prior to program admission.

Interested, eligible artists can apply now at: canadasmusicincubator.com/aewest.

About AE West
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program, AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists will also have ongoing access to mentors and resources post-program.

About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a national not-for-profit organization providing customized and ongoing mentorship to professional artists and managers. Using the pillars of mentoring, collaboration and industry connectivity, our mission is to empower these creative entrepreneurs in the development of sustainable careers and businesses which meet their definitions of success. Since 2012, CMI has provided over 5,000 hours of professional development and mentored over 500 artists and managers spanning all genres of music across Canada. CMI was founded by Coalition Music and is based at their Toronto facility. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.

About Studio Bell
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a state-of-the art facility designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture (Portland/New York). An international hub for music and technology, Studio Bell is the first national cultural institution of its kind dedicated to celebrating music in Canada in all of its forms. More than a museum, Studio Bell rises in nine interlocking towers, clad in glazed terra cotta in the heart of Calgary’s East Village. The 160,000 square-foot building includes five floors of exhibition space, a 2000+ piece collection of artifacts, instruments and music technology, and other features including recording facilities, workshops, classrooms, an event space, and a 300-seat performance hall. For more information, please visitstudiobell.ca.

About the National Music Centre
The National Music Centre (NMC) is a national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music. NMC preserves and celebrates Canada’s music story and is inspiring a new generation of music lovers through programming that includes on-site and outreach education programs, performances, artist incubation, and exhibitions. For more information, please visitnmc.ca.