Canada’s Music Incubator and National Music Centre Announce 10 Participants of 2023 Artist Entrepreneur West
Free AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens on November 30 at the King Eddy
(October 30, 2023 – Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB) Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) have announced the 10 artists invited to join the 2023 AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) program, which kicks off today at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. The program will culminate in the AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase, a free live concert featuring all participating artists, at the King Eddy on November 30.
The 10 artists include country singer-songwriter Megan Paige from Millet, AB; Calgary soul singer-songwriter Sashaé; charismatic BC pop artist Richard Tichelman; Calgary pop-folk artist Maclayne; classically-trained mezzo-soprano Riza Raquel; folksy indie-rocker and multi-instrumentalist Taylor Lang; Americana singer-songwriter Noeline Hofmann from Bow Island, AB; Saskatoon country-rock act Adam Johnson; and Ainsley Christine (of Calgary disco-pop party band, Deep Love Revival). As well, Anishinaabe rocker Veronica Blackhawk (aka Tinge) joins the program as a recipient of Manitoba Music's Vince Fontaine Legacy Award.
“We look forward to welcoming this new cohort of AE West artists to Studio Bell,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, NMC’s Director of Programs. “They are set to receive valuable insights into all things music business, while also getting access to the incredible NMC facilities. We’ve seen great successes for musicians that have come out of the program, and the National Music Centre is pleased to support and amplify that journey.”
AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) is a month-long creative entrepreneurship program designed to help emerging professional artists develop sustainable businesses and careers via customized mentorship, networking, and collaboration with music industry professionals. This year’s session takes place from October 30 to November 30 at Studio Bell.
AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, and NMC. The majority of costs for the program are offset thanks to the generous support of Viewpoint Foundation, TD Ready Commitment, the Kanovsky Family Foundation, Stingray Radio, the Government of Canada, and Manitoba Music.
The AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens on November 30 at the King Eddy. The evening will feature all 10 artists, each performing two songs. Admission is free on a first come, first served basis, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. Learn more at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
About AE West
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program (since 2012), AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists also have ongoing access to CMI mentors and industry resources post-program.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,300+ emerging music entrepreneurs, of all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. CMI has provided 12,000+ hours of professional development programs and one-on-one mentorship combined. CMI Live works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities for artists. To date, CMI Live has programmed 1,200+ shows and streams, paying $2 million directly to artists. CMI also advocates for music sector infrastructure development and creative entrepreneurship education in high schools. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Publicist
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada