March is for Music - Grant Program
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 hire a local musician(s) to play live in your work space between March 1-31, 2026!
Are you a Museum? Art Gallery? Office Space? Apply and we'll make it work.
DHBC will not only subsidize the cost (max amount per business is $1,000, excluding tax*), but we'll also help promote the event(s) you are hosting via paid advertising, social media, website and newsletter(s.)
*Please note that “excluding tax” means any sales tax paid by the business must be excluded from grant funding claimed. The grant cannot cover the cost of tax paid even if the total spent, including tax, is below $1,000.00. Please write up your invoice for the pre-tax cost of the music.
The Details
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Who can apply
This grant is available to any business/organization located in DHBC’s catchment area (aka an active DHBC Member) that has the resources and capacity to showcase at least one (1) musical performance in their establishment between March 1 - 31, 2026.
The event has to be free and open to the public & hiring original artists (across all genres) is strongly encouraged!
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DHBC Catchment Area -
How to apply
If your business or organization is interested in applying for a March is for Music Grant Program please send the following information to alejandra@downtownhalifax.ca
Business Name:
Type of Business:
Address:
Contact Name & Title:
Email & Phone Number:
Outline what you have planned (i.e., how will you use the $?), who will be playing?
Date(s) and time(s):
Did you apply last year? If so, please pass on any feedback from your experience.
Do you need assistance in connecting/selecting a local musician? -
Terms & Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The March is for 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 1 -31, 2026.
*Please note that “excluding tax” means any sales tax paid by the business must be excluded from grant funding claimed. The grant cannot cover the cost of tax paid even if the total spent, including tax, is below $1,000.00. Please write up your invoice for the pre-tax cost of the music.
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.).
*Hiring original artists (across all genres) is strongly encouraged!
*Please note live music = someone playing a musical instrument. DJ services do not qualify for this particular grant.
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 Grant Program.
The Call for Applications is now open, and applications will be accepted 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.
Grant recipients must use the funds to host at least one (1) musical act and/or performance in their establishment Downtown between Sunday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Any performance(s) that takes 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 Alejandra Morelo at alejandra@downtownhalifax.ca no later than April 3, 2026. 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 the 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.