About The Emerging Artist Program:
The Emerging Artist (EA) Program is designed to help young Canadian musicians navigate the next level of their career, whether that is a significant tour, business growth planning, debut album release, preparing for export, or any other major stepping stone. We have roles for singer-songwriters, self-accompanied vocalists, and instrumentalists (including backline performers on bass, drums, keys, guitar, and horns). EAs should be able to work independently, and in small groups to achieve workplace outcomes.
Over the course of two to four months, EAs enjoy learning opportunities from a variety of industry professionals in navigating the intricacies of the music industry, gaining skills and knowledge and building judgment crucial for career growth. The primary focus of this program is to provide support for and animate local communities and build sustainability in our artistic workforce.
Emerging Artists spend approximately 50% of their paid time providing engaging and high-quality musical entertainment supporting community events and promoting tourism initiatives. The remainder of their hours are invested in attending workshops, training, and hands-on activities to prepare EAs to level up their business.
You are currently applying for the Emerging Artist Program.
Please note:
Emerging Artist applications will also be considered for the Pre-Professional Program.
Pre-Professional applications will only be considered for the Pre-Professional Program.
Emerging Artist Program Eligibility:
Have their own portable solo performance setup for in-person (CEP) performance opportunity (battery-powered amplification implements optional, but strongly recommended)
Have minimum of 60 minutes of material suitable for performance in public spaces, and be prepared to engage and entertain the public
Be prepared to perform for up to 3 hours in length in-person
Emerging Artist Program Duties and Responsibilities:
Participate in career-related skill-development programs, workshops, rehearsals, and training programs to develop the highest caliber of professional skills and attitudes that will transcend the summer job period.
Provide engaging and high-quality entertainment at summer events such as festivals, community celebrations, tourism initiatives, and agricultural fairs taking place in public and quasi-public spaces within municipalities and events partnered with the Co-op.
Learn, rehearse & memorize new repertoire, utilizing live performance techniques learned in the training program.
Safely setting up/taking down personal performance equipment, delivering family-friendly performances suitable for public spaces at an appropriate volume for the location/traffic.
Growing and polishing their existing portfolio of their electronic press kit and other assets, linked to the artist’s website for the purposes of personal skills and entrepreneurial growth.
Complete administrative tasks on time and with accuracy, as assigned.
Attend functions such as job fairs, networking events, schools, and other approved locations to support Co-op Programs.
Providing support for company programs (No More Starving Artists Program, Wellness, etc).
Respond to inquiries and interactions via electronic means (e.g., email, Slack, etc.) in a timely and professional manner.
Maintain professional workplace behaviour and confidentiality in the workplace.
Clock in and out and provide daily shift reports using Employee Self-Service in the HRIS, Payworks.
Effectively use assigned PPE and follow Health and Safety protocols.
Wear a clean Co-op program shirt and employee ID during all in-person performances.
Complete SOCAN Notification of Live Music Performance and other reports as needed.
Other tasks as assigned.
Emerging Artist Program Work Hours:
EAs will participate in a shift sign up process at the beginning of the summer to provide the most flexibility in arranging schedules that suit their other performance commitment needs.
Professional Development: Tuesday-Friday
Performance: Wednesday-Friday evenings, weekends, as scheduled with your Artist Coordinator
No program activities scheduled for artists on Mondays
The Summer Emerging Artist Program (SEAP) length is approximately 8-16 weeks with the earliest possible start date in May until the end of August.
Application Requirements:
Please provide the following items for applications to be considered:
You must upload your artistic resume and cover letter, and include a professional headshot specific to your artist-business, if you have one.
Up-to-date Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
Website (not a social media link)
Biography (200 words minimum)
Discography
Social media/streaming/download statistics and links
Short summary of your career-related goals for the end of the summer, one year from now, and five years from now.
List of music- and/or business-specific grant funding you have received to date. Please indicate the granting organization/year received. (If not applicable, please write N/A).
2-3 minute audition video of a live, unedited performance (original songs preferred)
Video must be unedited (i.e., no vocal tuning, audio processing, or video editing of any kind).
Links to public performances are permitted as long as they follow these guidelines.
We will review a maximum of three minutes of content. You can provide a link that starts at a specified timestamp of your choice.
Video may be uploaded as unlisted on YouTube if preferred. Please ensure that your video link is NOT private, as the audition jurors will not be able to view it and your application will not be considered.
Attendance at a local Round One Audition may be substituted for the online video.
- If you have any additional documentation (i.e., strategic plans, release/promotional materials) that you would like to submit as supplementary information, please do so in the box labelled “Additional Documentation”. Please utilize a Google Drive, Dropbox or equivalent software to share these files, and ensure that the audition jurors will be able to open the files.
Please Note:
Applications are only accepted via our branded GetHired portal. All pre-screening questions must be completed. If you have found this job posting on a website other than GetHired, visit https://CanadianMusicians.coop and click on the Summer Employment Opportunities button in the top right corner of the page to access the full list of open positions and the application portal.
Selected candidates will attend an online callback audition and formal job interview. Bands or ensemble members must apply and audition individually*, as each person’s contract is based on the employment of the individual. Once hired, Emerging Artists are encouraged to work together.
- If you are a member of a band or ensemble, materials for that band or ensemble may be submitted for your individual application, as long as you have heavily participated in the creation of those materials, and we can clearly assess your artistic contributions and presentation. Please indicate which person you are in the video, and what your contributions are.
***RETURNING PARTICIPANTS***
Emerging Artists employed in this role in any prior seasons are required to add a cover letter detailing:
Their growth since their last season,
Why they would like to return, and
What they hope to get out of the program if selected for 2026.
- Please be sure to check the box indicating you are a returning participant in the pre-screening questions and keep in mind that you will not necessarily return to the same position that you held last year.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To have your application successfully advance to screening, please ensure you complete all pre-interview questions.
Following our initial screening, applicants may be invited to a virtual callback audition that will include a live audition in front of a jury, a short media interview, and a formal job interview. Interviews typically take place in March/April onwards until positions are filled.
We thank you for your interest in Canadian Musicians Co-operative and submitting your application. Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
The Canadian Musicians Co-operative does not use AI tools in the screening of candidates.
