Undertaking the first steps towards this strategic development, ECMA – in conjunction with Music Canada and Music Canada Live – will spearhead a regional sector study to collect data on the benefits of the music sector to the regional economy.
“We want to put on the table just how strong music is as an economic driver,” Andy McLean, Executive Director of ECMA, told the Cape Breton Post.
Music Canada, an association that promotes the interests of the Canadian music community, produced a similar study for British Columbia which lead to the establishment of the BC Music Fund – a $15 million investment from the government to support and boost activities in the province’s music industry. Music Canada Live, an organization aimed at advancing and promoting the many economic, social and cultural benefits of the live music sector, has also been involved in similar studies, such as the Live Music Measures Up! report for the province of Ontario.
During a presentation at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre on Saturday during Eastlink East Coast Music Week 2024, Amy Terrill, Executive Vice President of Music Canada, said these studies are intended to be “a road map” for “part of a bigger strategy.”
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a regional collaboration of people in the music industry of Atlantic Canada that fosters, develops and celebrates East Coast music and its artists locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The ECMA annually produces one of the top music industry events in Canada, Eastlink East Coast Music Week, which includes Awards, a Festival, an Industry Conference and the International Export Buyers Program. ECMA and its programs are generously funded by the Government of Canada through the International Business Development Agreement (represented by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada), the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund), the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and MUSICACTION. ECMA recognizes the support of the province of Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, ECMW Title Sponsor Eastlink, Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, The Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Gold Partners Molson Canadian, Newcap Radio, TD Bank Group, and The Cape Breton Post.
This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada and the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2024-2018.
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