Alberta Music Cities Grant Projects

The West Anthem Alberta Music Cities Grant Program supports innovative projects that strengthen Alberta’s music ecosystem. In 2025, the program received an overwhelming number of applications, demonstrating high demand for funding and support in Alberta’s music industry. Below is an overview of the funded projects, their objectives, and anticipated impacts. Join us in supporting these initiatives to continue to elevate the music community in our province!

Masterclass
Pilot Project

Apr 30–Oct 29, 2025

Presented by: BAM! Camp Calgary
Learn More

Spotify Playlist Integration Experiment

Mar. 31–Oct. 30, 2025

Presented by: Celestial Music Group
Learn More

WE OUT HERE: Short Documentary

Apr 30–Oct 29, 2025

Presented by: The Creating Hope Society of Alberta
Learn More

East Town Get Down; Music Festival Collaboration

May 22–23, 2025

Presented by: International Avenue Arts & Culture
Learn More

Chinatown
Live Music
Series

Mar. 9–Aug. 9, 2025

Presented by: Jyn-Ting Ying
Learn More

Outer Limits Showcase; multi-quadrant show collaboration

June 26–27, 2025

Presented by: Music Calgary
Learn More

SYNC: Sounds and Image Conference

Nov. 6–8, 2025

Presented by: Oscill8 Electronic
Performing Arts Society
Learn More

Purple City Music Festival Presents: Talk City

Sept. 4–6, 2025

Presented by: Purple City
Music Festival
Learn More

Women in Music Canada Industry Meet-Ups

Mar. 31–Dec. 13, 2025

Presented by: All Good Promotion & Marketing
and Women In Music Alberta
Learn More

Program Impact & Next Steps

Supporting Innovation: The grant program has enabled recipients to launch initiatives that enhance music industry development, diversity, and accessibility.
Fostering Growth: Funded projects emphasize education, mentorship, artist support, and community engagement, ensuring long-term benefits for Alberta’s music sector.
Future Advocacy: This oversubscribed program strongly indicates the need for increased funding and policy support for Alberta’s music communities.
Continued Engagement: West Anthem will work closely with grant recipients to socialize their success stories and amplify their impact through case studies and industry reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the purpose of this grant program?
The program funds small-scale, experimental projects that tackle complex challenges in Alberta’s music scene through radical and innovative approaches. These experiments should align with West Anthem’s municipal music strategies for Edmonton, Calgary, or the Rural/Small City Toolkit.

Who applied for the grant?
Individuals, collectives, organizations, and businesses based in Alberta and actively involved in the music ecosystem were eligible to apply.

How much funding was available?
Applicants were granted up to $10,000 per experiment.

Can I apply?
Applications closed on January 27, 2025.

Eligibility

Were applicants based in Alberta?
Yes, all applicants must reside in Alberta and demonstrate active involvement in Alberta’s music ecosystem.

Does the experiment need to take place in Alberta?
No, but recipients must demonstrate the reasoning behind why their project (outside of Alberta) aligns with one or more of the priority areas outlined in the strategies for Calgary, Edmonton, or the Rural/Small City Toolkit and how it will benefit Alberta.

Will these experiments align with West Anthem’s music strategies?
Yes, selected experiments align with one or more of the priority areas outlined in the strategies for Calgary, Edmonton, or the Rural/Small City Toolkit.

Are projects targeting equity-deserving groups prioritized?
Yes, experiments that prioritize or support equity-deserving groups (e.g., Indigenous Peoples, women, LGBTQ2S+, individuals with disabilities, rural/underserved communities) were prioritized.

Reporting and Accountability

What are the reporting requirements?
All grant recipients must submit a final report by December 13, 2025, or within 30 days of completing the project, whichever comes first. The report must include:

- A completed budget showing all actual costs.
- Receipts for all major, approved expenditures.
- Results and outcomes of the experiment, including quantitative and qualitative data.
- Photos or videos of the project, if available.

What happens if my question isn’t answered here?
Please contact info@westanthem.com for further assistance.

Contact

Email: info@westanthem.com

Alberta spans five treaty territories and eight Métis settlements. Like their ancestors, many Indigenous individuals and families make their homes across the prairies, including the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation. The Métis People of Alberta include the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, both from here and as visitors from elsewhere, have helped care for these lands for generations. We recognize they have traditions and relationships to the land far outstretching the arrival of settlers.

We are extremely grateful for these lands on which we reside, work, and play. We make this acknowledgement as an act of gratitude and reconciliation. While championing the arts in Calgary and across Alberta, we intend for our work to contribute to the valuing of traditional art forms and result in greater opportunity for the creative Indigenous talent who walk these lands today.