July 2025 Newsletter

FACTOR is making changes to two programs: Live Performance and Juried Sound Recording: Album.

LIVE PERFORMANCE

FACTOR recognizes that performing live is not only vital to an artist's career development, but also essential for audience growth and maintaining a strong and viable Canadian live music touring network. It also ensures cultural expression and economic opportunity are accessible across all regions, strengthening connections and building resilience within Canada's music sector.

Moving forward, FACTOR has expanded the eligibility criteria to include more emerging artists for domestic tour support. All Canadian artists who currently have received a FACTOR rating will be able to apply for domestic tour support. Review the Live Performance Program Guidelines, including revised criteria here.

There are 2 submission windows for the expanded pool for the remainder of this program year:

August 7th (for live dates between August 1 - November 30) & December 1st (for live dates between December 1 - March 31).

JURIED SOUND RECORDING: ALBUM

The previous 2-year activity window for all components of sound recording, marketing, video and live performance will now be separated into a la carte activities of Sound Recording, then Marketing and Live Performance. These changes will offer additional flexibility and benefits for the applicants, while also ensuring FACTOR is able to manage its budget more effectively and fulfill commitments to all artists while navigating this period of funding uncertainty.

The Juried Sound Recording: Album program will now be offered as a standalone Sound Recording and this component must be completed and all expenses paid before March 31, 2026. Once the sound recording is completed, funding for all related promotional release activities can be applied for.

This brings Juried Sound Recording: Album into harmony with the updated Artist Development, Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP, and Artist Entrepreneur programs - which supports eligible activities and expenses within FACTOR's fiscal year: April 1-March 31.

The deadline for applications is September 4, 2025.

The application window is now open.