annual report 2019-2020 Alberta Music 2019/2020 p2 table of contents Introduction Chair’s Message . 3 Executive Director’s Message . 5 About Alberta Music Mission, Vision, Beliefs . 8 Board of Directors, Staff. 9 Board Committees . 10 Funders & Sponsors .. 11 Positions & Representations . 12 Membership. 13 Partners .. 14 Industry Development LIVESTOCK - Export Events . 15 Export Programs . 16 Professional Development Education . 18 Information Sessions . 20 Mentorship . 21 Outreach . 23 Project WILD . 24 Local Audience Development Songwriting Camp . 26 K-Days . 27 Album Promotion Project . 28 International Women’s Day . 28 National Indigenous Peoples Day . 29 Legacy Activity Edmonton Music Prize . 30 Alberta Music 35th Anniversary . 30 Awards & Nominations . 31 Alberta Music 2019/2020 p3 chair’s message Writing this letter has been like members, and expanded our advocacy digging up a time capsule . For Alberta efforts to make sustainable music Music, like many organizations, the careers in this province a reality for months since COVID-19 struck have more people . Our board members been devoted to crisis management . worked to spread the story of Alberta With so many of our planned programs Music to those who don’t already and events affected, it can be tough know; to expand our membership; to remember the full scope of our and to seek new partners in working output in 2019 . Reviewing the year’s towards our vision of a diverse, activity, however, offers some welcome informed and connected Alberta music reminders of why we do this work in industry . the first place. Programs are the most visible part of The past year was a milestone our work . For many of our members, for Alberta Music: we have been the development, showcasing and Alberta’s professional music industry networking we offer through programs association for 35 years! That’s three are the reason they joined Alberta and a half decades of supporting, Music . This past year, a number of developing and advocating for Alberta Music programs provided Albertan artists and music industry artists and industry with training professionals . To celebrate this and financial support. Our export achievement, and in honour of all initiatives showcased Alberta artists those who helped us along the way, in the US, UK, Germany and across we launched a concert tour across Canada . We brought music industry Graham Lessard Alberta this winter . While some shows professionals from across the globe were postponed when the pandemic to see Albertan musicians perform hit, we look forward to showing off the at home in Edmonton and Calgary . depth of Alberta’s musical talent again Numerous musicians, managers, when restrictions are lifted . producers, promoters, recording We are proud of our 2019 efforts engineers and labels met, traded ideas to continue that 35 year legacy . We and worked together in 2019 thanks offered professional development to Alberta Music . and high quality programming to our continued next page... Alberta Music 2019/2020 p4 chair’s message . Less in the public eye, but more art, evolving and thriving when pandemic, but our province’s relevant than ever, our advocacy diverse perspectives come together . music industry is resilient, and work continued to grow . As a partner Respecting and including all the present difficult times have in West Anthem (formerly Alberta of Alberta’s voices makes our shown how important music is to Music Cities Initiative) we helped to music community stronger ”. This the wellbeing of individuals and commission an economic profile of statement will guide Alberta communities . Alberta Music will Alberta’s music industry . Documenting Music’s decision making, policies continue to advocate for better the economic activities of our sector and priorities for years to come . music policy, working conditions is incredibly important, both to On behalf of the board and staff, and public awareness on behalf support those working in music right we are all eager to continue this of our members and all those now, and to institute best practices important process, recognizing and who bring music into our lives . and recommendations for future including our entire community in generations of music industry workers . Alberta Music . Alberta Music is your professional This profile will help demonstrate that, music industry association . We in addition to enriching our cultural The music industry is often cited strive to represent every Albertan experience, the music community also to illustrate cycles of progress working in the music industry contributes to job creation, tourism, and disruption . Technology and today, and those preparing to hospitality and technology businesses social change suddenly force us to launch their career in the days in Alberta . At a time when our create new ways of doing business . to come . I want to thank Alberta province aims to add to our economic After a decade of upheaval from Music’s incredible staff for their toolkit, collecting this information is a shifting revenue models our passion and dedication, seeking vital step forward for music in Alberta . artists, venues, studios and music every chance to elevate Alberta’s Alberta Music engaged with important businesses are reeling from the music community . Many thanks social issues in 2019 . While the economic and social impact of the also to our funders, partners, and music industry has long celebrated COVID-19 pandemic . At the same volunteers. Your fiscal support, diversity, recording studios continue time, music has been a relief and a expertise, connections, and love to be a largely male environment . We comfort during our various forms for music keep this organization hosted music production workshops of isolation these past harrowing driven and focused . Together we for women and non-binary artists, months. Music’s ability to influence are making Alberta known as a inviting eager audiences to join and document social change have place to make music . our expert mentor for some lively come centre stage again, recalling discussion and demonstrations . To the generation defining role it ensure our own organization is diverse played in the late 1960s . Musicians and inclusive, directors and members and the industry that champions at large formed a committee to them are more needed than ever, recommend best practices. As a first even while the way we pay for that step, this committee drafted a belief value must adapt, to ensure they statement to add to our mission, vision can play on . An uncertain future and values .“Music is a collaborative faces all of us in the wake of the Alberta Music 2019/2020 p5 executive director’s message The 2019-20 year ended with the impact study that will highlight the beginning of the global pandemic significant financial contributions the that led to catastrophic reverberations music industry has on our economy . across our industry . Although our The data West Anthem collects will community reels, we find ourselves be an invaluable tool to attract galvanized and strengthened in our investment and solidify the financial resolve to support one another . viability of the music sector in this province . The COVID-19 crisis forced us all to adapt and change our way of operating We were able to take part in export and our methods of supporting our trade and showcase missions through industry . our LIVESTOCK program where we showcased Alberta artists in the United In early March of 2020, we moved to Kingdom, Germany, New Orleans, remote work, temporarily closing our Halifax, and many other domestic offices in Edmonton and Calgary. We locations . Alberta Music continues to cancelled and postponed our events see the value and place importance on and projects and watched as tours, export trade and showcase missions festivals, and venues ground to a halt, and we have implemented plans to including SXSW and The JUNOs . move these initiatives online, where possible . It would be easy to let the rise of the Carly Klassen COVID era overshadow all that came Professional development and career before, but 2019-20 was already a busy advice are still main focuses that are year filled with excitement and new delivered through our DOWNLOAD projects, new approaches, and renewed program . This year we presented over energy, before the crisis . 56 one-on-one consultations and educational information sessions . We As Alberta Music marked it’s 35th Our hardworking, passionate, brought in panelists from across the anniversary, it has been a year of and dedicated team delivered country and had over 300 participants reflection, growth, learning, listening programming and advocacy through attend the info sessions and seminars . and looking forward . more than a dozen initiatives, right We had specific programming that across the province and around the focused on and brought attention As I reflect back, it is amazing to see globe . to the health and wellbeing in our all that has been accomplished by our industry, supporting inclusiveness, team and by our members, despite In partnership with West Anthem, training sessions for women and non- daunting circumstances . we have commissioned an economic binary people . continued next page... Alberta Music 2019/2020 p6 executive director’s message . This year saw the departure This year’s AGM marks the We’ve also begun consultations for of Olivia Street as she moved departure of Adam Oppenheim, a new Indigenous Music program, on to pursue further interests . who has completed three full which will begin during our next Olivia has continued to be an terms on our Board of Directors, fiscal year. We will consult with excellent resource for Alberta the last year in which he served Elders, the Indigenous members Music on a contract basis and is as vice-chair . Adam has been a of our Board of Directors, our a contributing member to the long-standing member of the members, and the public for the industry as she performs with her music industry and I would like creation of this program .