News release

Music Strategy Helping ECMA Artists

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Music Strategy Helping ECMA Artists


Nova Scotia's music strategy is helping ensure artists can take advantage of the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) underway until Sunday, Feb. 20, in Sydney.

Funding from the music strategy is providing a venue for three nights so Nova Scotia artists can showcase their talents. The funding is provided through the new Export Development Program for Music. This program and the Emerging Music Business Program were launched in September 2004 to support the strategy. To date, the province has invested more than $338,000 in the music industry through these programs.

"Producers, agents and record companies will have a chance to see performances by a number of Nova Scotia musicians," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "This is an opportunity for our artists to get their music to new markets."

The music strategy is also helping the African Nova Scotia Music Association present the Black Vibes Showcase at the ECMA event. The association is networking with national and international buyers, with the goal of selling CDs and arranging bookings with festival organizers and venue managers.

Nova Scotia's Music Industry Strategy was developed by the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS). The strategy's goal is to make sure resources are in place in Nova Scotia to develop, promote and export our talent, rather than having people go elsewhere to further their careers. The strategy is supported by a four-year, $3-million investment from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

To support the music sector strategy, the department launched two new programs in September 2004 - the Emerging Music Business Program and the Export Development Program for Music. To date, the province has invested more than $338,000 in the music industry through these programs.

"This is what the strategy is all about, helping established and emerging musicians develop contacts which could lead to business opportunities," said Bill Appleby, president of MIANS. "The ECMA presents the perfect opportunity because of the national and international music industry representatives who attend."

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage is a major sponsor of the ECMA, providing $104,000 for the event in Sydney. The department also promotes the province during the national broadcast of the show on Sunday night.

Nova Scotia's music industry is currently worth about $100 million to the provincial economy and generates more than 2,500 full and part-time jobs.

For more information on the Music Industry Strategy, contact the Tourism, Culture and Heritage Department at 902-424-4510.