Attn: Music BC members and friends!

Music BC has received word that the Music Industry Travel Assistance Program (MITAP) is currently being reviewed by the new Minister and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & the Arts. We would sincerely appreciate it, if each of you could send an email or letter to the Ministry expressing your sincere thanks of their support of this program, and that you hope to see it continue for years to come. (Template below) We need to ensure that they know how much the BC music community appreciates having a program like MITAP to reach out to. For every artist/business that has ever wanted to apply, has applied, or has received funding, if we want opportunities like MITAP to exist, now would be a great time to express those sentiments.

Please send all letters and emails to the Minister, Deputy Minister and Cultural Policy Analyst’s Office. (Contact info is below) Please CC info@musicbc.org on any emails as well. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Attn: Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

I wanted to take the time to thank the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & the Arts for providing the Provincial Music Industry Travel Assistance Program (MITAP) administered on your behalf by Music BC Industry Association. MITAP has helped to grow and sustain the British Columbia music community.

For those who received money – please state what the money was used for and the benefit

For those wanting to access the money – please state what you would use the money for and the benefit from such money

At a time in the music industry where live performance has become a critical component to an artist’s development, I believe that this program is essential. Further, in the new music era, travel expenses for touring, showcases and business travel have been increasingly downloaded onto artists and it is now harder than ever to cover these expenses without some financial assistance.

Often it is the first few tours that are the hardest, but once a following is established, sustainable careers can be achieved from this initial work. MITAP provides that initial leg up that is so vital to moving artists to the next level in their careers and helping to establish that all important fan base.

In order to continue to promote the many talented musicians of British Columbia within and outside of the province, travel initiatives are frequently necessary. Many very successful tours and showcases would not have been possible had it not been for the support received from MITAP.

I understand the new Minister and Deputy Minister are currently reviewing the renewal of the Music Industry Travel Assistance Program for this upcoming fiscal year. I wanted to express my sincere thanks for this program and my hope that it to continue for many years to come.

Minister’s Office
HONOURABLE BILL BENNETT
PO BOX 9071 STN PROV GOVT
VICTORIA BC V8W 9E9

E-mail: TCA.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Telephone: 250 953-4246
Fax: 250 953-4250

Deputy Minister’s Office
PHILIP STEENKAMP
DEPUTY MINISTER
PO BOX 9846 STN PROV GOVT
VICTORIA BC V8W 9T2

E-mail: Philip.Steenkamp@gov.bc.ca
Telephone: 250 356-6981
Fax: 250 356-1195

LORA CARROLL
CULTURAL POLICY ANALYST
PO BOX 9819 STN PROV GOVT
VICTORIA BC V8W 9W3

E-mail: Lora.Carroll@gov.bc.ca
Telephone: 250 357-7148
Fax: 250 387-4099

Music BC Interior Office Launch Party

Event: Music BC Interior Launch Party
Friday, January 16, 2009
@ The Habitat
248 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC
Doors at 6 pm
All ages!
Hosted by: Jay Stone – 103.9 The Juice FM
Admission: Donation at the door
Drinks supplied by Tree Brewing (19+)

Performances: Branlin (8:30pm) & We Are The City (9:00pm)

Music BC Interior Office Launch Party
Friday, January 16, 2009

The Habitat will be holding a party to celebrate its official launch of Music BC’s new interior office on January 16, 2009. There will be live music provided by local talent as well as a very exciting silent auction; one of the items being a Gibson Les Paul guitar signed by the Canadian music pioneer himself, Neil Young! The proceeds from all the silent auction items will help the Music BC Charitable Foundation purchase guitars for Kelowna’s Spring Valley Middle School music program.

The office, which is located on the upper level of the Habitat building, will provide services to the interior music community such as education, resources, advocacy, opportunities for funding, networking and establishing a format of communication.

Burt Harris Memorial Scholarship Deadline EXTENDED

Music BC Charitable Foundation has launched the 2009 Burt Harris Memorial Scholarship Program deadline. Click here for more info!

Deadline EXTENDED to postmarked by May 15th, 2009.

Register Now for the Canada Stand at MIDEM

The deadline to register for the Canada Stand at MIDEM is December 12th, 2008. Click here to register now!