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Music BC has announced the 15 emerging artists selected for ARC 2026, the latest cohort of its flagship artist development accelerator program, which helps musicians turn promising projects into sustainable careers.
Chosen through a competitive application process and selected by a jury of music industry professionals, this year’s participants include Anna Katarina, Bealby Point, CHLO, Chopping Spree, Cold Fame, Connor Roff, Dani Black, Dour, Felisha and the Jazz Rejects, Mauvey, Maya Jade, Paris Pick, Revay, Seven Taviss, and Talel McBriar.
Funded through support from Creative BC, the Province of British Columbia, FACTOR and Canada Council for the Arts, the program combines business education, mentorship and creative collaboration to help emerging artists navigate an increasingly complicated music industry.
ARC launched in 2022 and has since worked with 60 artists from across the province. Along the way, participants have released eight songs that originated during the program’s songwriting retreat component, turning what could have been demos into tracks that made it into the world.
The accelerator is built around three phases: The Clinic, The Retreat and The Show. Artists begin with workshops covering branding, marketing, revenue generation and career planning before heading into an intensive creative residency focused on songwriting, recording and performance development. The experience wraps with a showcase performance in front of both fans and industry delegates.
“In just a few short years, ARC has become an important part of the artist development ecosystem in British Columbia,” shares Music BC executive director Scott Johnson in a release. “Seeing alumni such as Desirée Dawson, Kimmortal, Missy D, Vox Rea, daysormay, Teon Gibbs, FKA Rayne, Concrete Vehicles (fka Computer) and others continue to build audiences, access new opportunities and achieve significant career milestones is incredibly inspiring. It reinforces why programs like ARC matter: they help talented artists develop the skills, relationships and confidence needed to build sustainable careers.”
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.straight.com ’
