Walk Of Fame Emerging Musicians Program Open. $100K On Offer

By FYI Staff

Submissions are now open for the ninth annual Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, one of Canada's most successful programs supporting aspiring Canadian musical artists with prizing valued at more than $100,000.

 The program provides new music talent with access to business contacts, established artists and music industry influencers, mentorship sessions, studio recording time, artist development and funding, and national showcase opportunities. Song submissions are accepted today through to Sunday, August 22.

Canada's Walk Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer describes the RBC Emerging Musician Program as a “catalyst” for breakthroughs in Canada’s renowned music landscape. "We are extremely proud of this program, which continues to attract talented musicians from every province and territory, as well as partners and influencers who want to join us in fostering the next generation of musical achievement in Canada," he continued.

Joining the mentors this year is Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, 12-time Juno winner and 2012 Canada's Walk of Fame Inductee Sarah McLachlan who will provide two 45-minute virtual group sessions with the grand prize winner and the finalists. Also added to the prizing is financial support for a live-off-the-floor performance video and a dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for the Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program.

The program is supported by the RBC Emerging Artists Project, which supports organizations that to advance an artist’s career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, performance, literature and film. Since 2015, over 24,000 alumni have been supported by the Project through RBC Foundation donations benefiting hundreds of arts organizations across Canada, totaling more than $8 million annually.

"At RBC, we recognize that the arts play an important role in building vibrant communities and strong economies. Our commitment to emerging artists includes helping them bridge the gap from 'emerging' to 'established'," said Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation at RBC. "Due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, the need to support and elevate Canadian musicians is more critical than ever. We wish all applicants the best of luck and look forward to watching their careers advance for years to come.”

Since its inception in 2013, the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program has helped propel the careers of its Grand Prize Winners, including last year's recipient Allydice, of Mississauga, ON, who spoke of the opportunities the program has offered to them. "We have been making music for years and have had some successes. Nothing compares to the magnitude of being chosen as the Grand Prize winners of the Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program; this has been one of the best experiences in our lives."

Prizing Details

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at Metalworks Studios. The Second Prize Winner will receive $6000. Three Third Prize Winners will each receive $4000.

In addition, all winners will have the following opportunities to boost their career with the caveat that covid restrictions are lifted:

• New! Online group mentorship sessions with Canada's Walk of Fame Inductee, Sarah McLachlan

• New! Dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program

• New! Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video

• Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent

• A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2022 along with a Festival Access Pass

• Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto's ArtHaus*

• A performance at Winnipeg’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2022 

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In addition, through a long-standing partnership with Metalworks Studios, all past and future Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician program applicants are eligible to apply to Metalworks Institute Scholarship that provides a selected recipient with a $10,000 tuition scholarship towards any full-time diploma program or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production.

Visit EmergingMusician.ca for details on eligibility and submission requirements.
The winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of music industry experts and will be announced in the fall.

The Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.

Canada’s Walk Of Fame Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Walter Schneider, President & Co-Founder, RE/Max Integra / RE/Max Europe, includes: Vice-Chair Nick Di Donato, President & CEO, Liberty Entertainment Group; Tom Anselmi, President Business Operations and COO of The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club and Ice District; Amanda Lang, Anchor, BNN Bloomberg, Randy Lennox, Linda Mantia, Kim Mason, Senior Vice President & Head, Private Banking Canada, RBC Wealth Management, Dan McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Cineplex Entertainment; Lewis Rusen, Vice Chairman, Korn Ferry; Ron Suter, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution Canada and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto.