These artists exist in a precarious and important stage of Canada's talent development system, a system that CIRAA often compares to an apple orchard. The end goal of having an orchard is to pick beautiful, new apples, shine them, and distribute them domestically, and preferably internationally. But before putting apples or bands to market, some very careful and measured steps must take place to assure a healthy crop.
First, one must prepare the land and sow the seeds by ensuring instruments are in our schools and our children are taught the value of music to our culture. We must all support budding musicians in this childhood incubation period prior to their introduction to the Canadian music industry.
Then, we must water and tend to the saplings, or in this case, Canada's artist entrepreneurs, by providing ongoing funding for the creation of demos and master recordings, video content, websites, marketing, touring and showcasing, and so on.
Finally, we must care for mature trees, pick the apples and take them to market, by supporting nearly established artists, music businesses, innovative start-up businesses, and industry events.
All of these stages must be adequately addressed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Canadian music industry. We are here to testify that the CMF is starving our seeds and saplings, and they are dying off.