March is for Music in Downtown Halifax (Grant Program)

 

 Calling All Downtown Businesses! 

 

This March, we want to celebrate the amazing local talent we have in our city, all while promoting YOUR BUSINESS!

Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) welcomes ALL member businesses (within our catchment area) to consider hiring a local musician(s) to play live in your work space, invite the public and then send us the bill! 

The more unconventional, the better! Museum? Art Gallery? Office Space? Yessss please! Apply and we'll make it work. 

The Details:

Between the weeks of March 7-23, 2025 your business is encouraged to book a music act and we'll not only subsidize the cost (max amount per business is $1,000, excluding tax), but we'll also help promote the listing. 

This grant is available to all businesses and organizations in the Downtown Halifax area that have the resources and capacity to showcase at least one (1) musical performance in their establishment and is open to the public during the specific timeframe stated above.

Businesses/organizations MUST be a member of DHBC and located in DHBC’s catchment area to be eligible for this grant.

If your business or organization is interested in applying for a “March is for Music" Music Grant, email Becca MacAulay, Office Coordinator, at becca@downtownhalifax.ca, with the following information:

  • Name of Business:
  • Type of Business:
  • Address:
  • Contact Name & Title:
  • Email & Phone Number:
  • Outline what you have planned (i.e., how will you use the $?):
  • Have you applied for a music grant from us before? If so, please share your experience.
  • Would you like assistance in connecting/selecting a local musician?
man playing guitar

Terms & Conditions

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    The “March is for Music” Music Grant program is offering grants up to a maximum of $1000.00, excluding tax, per business. Grants are a one-time-only grant to subsidize the cost for businesses and/or organizations in the Downtown Halifax area to host live music in their establishment between March 7 - 23, 2025. 

    To be eligible for the grant, businesses and/or organizations must be a member of Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) and located in DHBC’s catchment area.

    The grant will subsidize the cost to host at least one (1) musical act and/or performance along with any equipment that may be needed to host a live music event (including but not limited to, sound system, speakers, microphone, etc.). 

    Businesses/organizations will be responsible for hiring their own musical act(s)/performer(s) and any equipment or other costs incurred because of their participation in the “March is for Music” Music Grant program. Upon request to DHBC, Music Nova Scotia will provide grant recipients with a list of local artists who have expressed interest in participating and have declared they will be in town during this timeframe. The musical performance(s) must be open to the general public to attend, and free to access.

    The Call for Applications is now open, and applications will be accepted until 5PM (AST) on Thursday, March 6, 2025 (or until funds are fully allocated).

    Grant applications will be reviewed and approved by DHBC, contingent upon meeting the criteria and sufficient funds in the overall program. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants will receive notification within two (2) business days if their application is successful or not. If the funds for the grant are depleted before Thursday, March 6, 2025, DHBC will make an official announcement by email to all members and applicants that the grant application process is closed.

    Grant recipients must use the funds to host at least one (1) musical act and/or performance in their establishment between Friday, March 7 and Sunday, March 23, 2025. Any performance(s) that take place before or after this timeframe will not be eligible for the grant program.

    *Grant recipients must submit proof of payment(s) for the artist(s)/performance(s), equipment, etc., and an invoice addressed to Downtown Halifax Business Commission for the amount (up to $1000.00 excluding tax) to Becca MacAuley at becca@downtownhalifax.ca no later than March 31, 2025. DHBC will provide the funds to grant recipients once sufficient proof has been submitted. Reimbursements take approximately 30 days to be processed and will be mailed directly to the grant recipients in the form of a cheque.

    If it is determined that amount of the grant awarded was not used, DHBC reserves the right to either deny payment to the grant recipient or pay an adjusted amount based on the valid receipts received.

    Grants are provided at the discretion of Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

     

    For more information about the March is for Music in Downtown Halifax Grant Program, please contact becca@downtownhalifax.ca