Membership for Festivals

Sliding Scale: $100–$750 annually (starts October 1st each year)

We recognize that festivals vary greatly in size, budget, staffing, and capacity. Rather than assigning mandatory fee levels, we invite festivals to contribute at the level that best reflects their organization’s circumstances.

Festivals with greater capacity help ensure that smaller and emerging festivals can remain connected to the Collective and benefit from the same advocacy, resources, and support.

If financial circumstances make membership difficult, please let us know on the membership form. We do not want cost to be a barrier to participation, and we do not want any festival to be excluded from the Collective.

👉 Complete the Membership Form

Benefits of Being a Festival Member

Voting rights within BCMFC and Eligibility to serve on the Board of Directors

Access to the Listserv & Direct Communication with Peers: Members gain access to an exclusive Listserv, allowing them to connect with other festival organizers, ask questions, share resources, and discuss industry challenges in real time. This is an invaluable tool for staying informed and collaborating with others in the festival community.

Monthly Meetings with Expert Speakers & Industry Updates: BCMFC hosts regular membership meetings featuring expert speakers, policy updates, and festival-related discussions. These meetings offer members a chance to learn about new regulations, funding opportunities, and best practices, while also fostering networking and collaboration.

Annual Symposiums with Industry Leaders: Members have the opportunity to attend BCMFC’s symposiums, which bring together key industry leaders, government officials, and festival organizers. These events provide access to expert panels, workshops, and networking opportunities that help members stay ahead of industry trends and strengthen their festival operations.

Advocacy & Representation at the Government Level: BCMFC acts as a unified voice for music festivals, advocating for industry needs at both the provincial and national levels. This includes direct engagement with agencies like the Provincial Creative Branch, Tourism Ministry, as well as funding bodies, like Creative BC and BC Arts Council; and provincial working groups such as the Coalition for Arts Culture and Heritage, and the Actsafe Performing Arts Standing Committee. On a National level the BCMFC is a member of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME). On an International level BCMFC is a member of the Centre for Events & Festivals (CEF).

Impact Data & Research to Strengthen Festival Operations: BCMFC’s data collection initiatives provide not only major support to their advocacy work within the sector, but also provides members with valuable insights into festival trends, economic contributions, and audience impact. This data is essential for:

• Strengthening grant applications and sponsorship proposals
• Demonstrating the cultural and economic significance of festivals to stakeholders
• Making informed decisions about festival growth and sustainability

Link here for the latest BCMFC Survey Report Executive Summary

Strengthening Connections with Tourism & Cultural Partners: BCMFC helps festivals build relationships with tourism organizations, government agencies, and arts & culture stakeholders. These partnerships can lead to increased visibility, funding opportunities, access to tools and resources, and marketing collaborations that benefit the entire festival ecosystem.

Online Directory: BCMFC.ca features an online directory of British Columbia’s music festivals linking directly to festival websites. If you are a member festival and not yet listed on the website, please reach out to have your festival featured.

Industry News: We keep members updated on all our industry news, upcoming events, and professional development opportunities.

Just added! – BCMFC is pleased to announce a new partnership with SmartGrant – BC’s comprehensive funding database for artists, creative professionals, and arts and cultural organizations. SmartGrant connects you to hundreds of potential funding sources that uniquely match your unique eligibility and funding needs. BCMFC members receive 15% discount on SmartGrant’s annual subscription rate. Check out our pricing page, https://smartgrant.ca/pricing/, to learn more and request your discount code.

Industry Associate Membership (Non-Voting)

Industry Associate Membership is designed for organizations and businesses that support BC’s music festival sector and want to build meaningful relationships with festivals across the province.

Membership Levels

• Independent Consultants – $150
• Small Businesses – $250
• Corporate Suppliers – $500

Examples include insurance providers, ticketing companies, production and staging companies, marketing firms, software providers, equipment suppliers, security companies, and other organizations serving the live music and festival industry.

Associate Member Benefits

• Networking opportunities with festival organizers
• Participation in educational programs and professional development
• Sponsorship and partnership opportunities
• Potential inclusion in the BCMFC online directory
• Connection with BC’s provincial music festival network

Strategic Partners

Complimentary Membership

Strategic Partner membership is available to organizations whose work supports the broader festival ecosystem, including:

• Tourism organizations
• Government agencies
• Arts councils
• Sector associations
• Educational institutions
• Other strategic partners

Strategic Partners help strengthen collaboration across British Columbia’s music, tourism, arts, and cultural sectors.

Join Today

Whether you’re a festival organizer, industry supplier, consultant, or strategic partner, we invite you to become part of BC’s growing music festival community.

👉 Complete the Membership Form

Together, we’re building a stronger future for BC’s music festivals.