KEYCHANGE - CANADIAN TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2024:

CRITERIA AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

APPLICATIONS OPEN: 14 FEBRUARY 2024
DEADLINE: 7 MARCH 2024, 5pm EST / 2pm PST

N.B You must read the criteria below before you apply.

Click on the sections below to read about the criteria of the Keychange Talent Development Programme. Once you have read the criteria, you can apply through the PRS Foundation’s Flexigrant portal via the ‘APPLY TO KEYCHANGE 2024’ button at the end of this page.

You will need to create an account on Flexigrant before you can apply. Once you have created your Flexigrant account, go to the ‘Start a new application’ section to start your Artist or Innovator application.

  • ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

    • To be eligible for Keychange you must:

      - Be a woman or gender-diverse person^

      - Be 18 or over 

      - Live and work in Canada

      - Confirm you are available for key dates (Sound City Festival 03-05/05/2024, Reeperbahn Festival,18-21/09/2024, BIME 29/10-01/11/2024) *

      - Be able to communicate in and understand English

      - Be an Artist OR an Innovator working in music (e.g. industry professional or executive)

      - Already have a track record in the music industry

      - Be ready for international career development and music export

      - Be committed to participating in our movement for change

      ^ Women and gender-diverse people are eligible. Keychange has an inclusive approach to equality and aims to support all underrepresented genders. See our Keychange Glossary HERE for more information.  

      Past participants in the Keychange programme are not eligible to apply again.


      If you work for a Keychange partner, sponsor, festival or contractor (this includes: Keychange, PRS Foundation, Reeperbahn Festival, Liverpool Sound City, BIME, FACTOR, SOCAN Foundation, BreakOut West or Mutek) you are not eligible to apply. 

      For a full list of Keychange partners and sponsors, please see here. 

  • COUNTRY SPECIFIC CRITERIA

    • Canada

      For Artists: Only artists based in Canada and those signed to Canadian-owned labels (including self-releasing artists) are eligible to apply .


      Update your FACTOR Artist profile or create one by the application deadline of 07th March 2024. The information in this profile will provide additional information to the selection committee. Instructions on updating and creating your Artist profile are at this link. New users first need to create a User Profile as per these instructions. If you have any questions, contact your Project Coordinator,  general.info@factor.ca or call 416-696-2215/877-696-2215.

  • SELECTION CRITERIA: ARTISTS

    • The following criteria are key for Artist applicants to be considered:

      - Be able to write and perform their own music, and have enough experience to play music to a live audience

      - Be ready to export, including (as per standard FACTOR export-readiness eligibility) having: 

      a) A strong following in your country (e.g. a good touring track-record with a growing live fanbase; growing playlist support on DSPs and/or radio; a growing online fanbase) with strong potential to break into other markets

      b) A professional support team including an artist manager and potentially also a record label, booking agent, publicist and/or publisher

      c) At least one sound recording of any format or duration that has been made commercially available to the general public in Canada

      d) At least one sound recording of any format or duration that has been made commercially available to the general public outside of Canada, or will be made commercially available to the general public outside of Canada within twelve months of the export showcase

      e) Public and industry recognition (via radio play, video play, web hits and streams, music press, blogs, awards, etc.).


      Within your application you will be able to demonstrate your export-readiness which will be judged within the context of your genre, location and Canadian and European market trends. We expect eligible artists based in Canada to meet all of the following export-readiness criteria:

      Eligible artists must:

      - Have a least 10 commercially released tracks that are available on multiple streaming platforms

      - Have a minimum of 2,000 followers to date

      - Be able to prove they are able to tour domestically in at least 5 Canadian cities outside of their home city

      - Activities outside of your home city

      - Only artists based in Canada and those signed to Canadian-owned labels (including self-releasing artists) are eligible to apply .

      We are envisaging selecting a mixture of solo artists and bands across a range of music genres and are committed to the network reflecting diverse new music.

  • SELECTION CRITERIA: INNOVATORS

    • The following criteria are key for Innovator applicants to be considered:

      - Be pushing the boundaries of music industry practice; demonstrating interest in new business models and innovative ways of working

      - Have a growing professional track record, with at least 4 years of experience working in music (Covid-19 impacts can be outlined in the application form, if relevant). You will need to explain in your application how your experience will ensure that you can make the most of the opportunity. This will be judged within the context of your country and its industry infrastructure. We encourage applications from DIY and independent innovators.

      - Be able to demonstrate their commitment to supporting emerging artists from all backgrounds, have an interest in enabling talented women and gender minorities to flourish, and influencing change across the industry

      - Be working with music whether from within the industry or another creative sector (tech, AV, design) which intersects with new music business models.

      We expect eligible innovators based in Canada to demonstrate at least 3 successful initiatives outside of your home city

  • SELECTION PROCESS – WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    • Following the 7 March 2024 deadline, UK partners at PRS Foundation will share a list of applicants with each Country Partner who will be responsible for liaising with relevant festivals, sponsors and partners – and in some cases external music expert advisors – to shortlist applicants ahead of a selection discussions with relevant European festivals and conferences. 

      You will be shortlisted by the Keychange Partner(s) and Associate Festivals who will decide if you are ready to be part of Keychange, if you are ready for international career development and if you would make a good addition to the network. Using that shortlist, our Festival Partners will then decide if they would like to book you to attend, perform at, or speak at their festival. This is ultimately how the decision is made if you will be part of the Keychange network, and will be based on how they respond to your music, to your experience and how much they want you to be at their festival.

      Remember: Human beings read your application form. Try to reflect your work as best as you can so they feel excited and connected to you and your work.

      Applicants will be informed by the Keychange team in April 2024.

      Partners will use best endeavours to provide feedback to all applicants. This will be dependent on the level of demand in each country.

      Keychange Partner decisions are final and applicants are encouraged to request feedback and take note of recommendations or signposting to other support programmes. See PRS Foundation’s grievance policy for more information.

      Please ensure that audio or video links shared in the application form work are valid for at least 12 weeks after the submission of the application.

  • COVID-19 PANDEMIC

    • During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Keychange activities were forced to move online. While we hope that we can get together in-person in 2024, it’s possible that new restrictions will influence activity and travels. If that’s the case, we will try to be flexible and provide you with similar opportunities online.

      However, please note that Keychange is an international development programme, which will provide participants with mandatory international travels. This may require participants to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and other diseases. Please contact info@keychange.eu if you have questions or doubt on this point.