CIRAA and others have attempted to modernize FACTOR. However, the bylaws dictating the institutional makeup of the FACTOR board of directors, created before the rise of the artist entrepreneur, assures us that nothing there is likely to change. Roughly half the seats are assigned to traditional commercial music businesses and the other half to radio.
To ensure a sustainable Canadian talent development strategy, CIRAA respectfully offers the following recommendations:
One, the Canada Music Fund should be divided equally across the development supply chain. We recommend that one-third of CMF funding goes to independent artist entrepreneurs, another third to established artists through FACTOR, and the final third to music businesses through the music entrepreneur component and the collective initiatives program.
Two, we recommend that a new funding organization be founded collectively by specialists in the independent artist entrepreneur field; including, but not limited to, CIRAA. This new funding organization would invest its third in artist development and artist entrepreneurs. We believe that no association should ask for this task alone, and that there are many across the country that can provide valuable leadership.
We strongly believe that a new organization allocating funds towards artist development for early career musicians and artist entrepreneurs will see a number of improvements, which this committee is seeking.
One, more funding will flow to communities nationwide, with less concentration in Toronto, where Canada's music companies primarily exist. This also means greater support for homegrown, local culture across Canada.
Two, there will be greater public recognition and appreciation for the Government of Canada's support to music in all communities, due to fewer intermediaries.
Three, there will be more artistic and business innovation by fuelling entrepreneurs using modern technologies and cutting-edge methods beyond simply recording music.
Four, there will be a levelling of the playing field between artists supported by personal investment of family and those without financial support.
Five, music business literacy will be expanded through education and mentorship.
Finally, Canada's music companies will benefit from having more developed and educated artists ready to expand their audiences; in essence, a stronger and more vibrant supply line.
We are asking for a nod, an invitation, or better yet, a clear mandate from this committee to begin the work of assembling associations nationwide to create a new funding body tasked with solving this fundamental imbalance that, without repair, will make all other recommendations heard here akin to rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. We need a strong, educated, literate, and confident artist entrepreneur base that sparks artistry and innovation in communities coast to coast to coast.
We thank you for your time today and for your continued support of Canadian music. We look forward to your questions and comments.