CLICK HERE FOR THE CONFERENCE SHOWCASE FAQ​

The Folk Canada Conference is Canada’s largest annual event devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community. The conference offers training, showcasing, export development, and networking opportunities for artists and music industry professionals in Canada and the international Folk community, with customized programming for folks at any stage of their career, from emerging to export-ready.  

Basic Backline will be provided to all official and spotlight showcase artists, which includes standard mics, mic stands, a bass amp, a guitar amp, 5-piece drum set with standard hardware, and an 88 key keyboard.

WHO CAN APPLY: Artists are encouraged to apply at any stage of their music career. Artists can apply from anywhere in the world, and can perform in any language. ​Artists are not likely to be selected to perform an Official Showcase Artist two years in a row. If an Artist is not selected for an Official Showcase, they still may be chosen for Spotlight or Private Showcase.

ARTIST ASSETS: All assets submitted will be used for promotion and technical setup. Please make sure your assets are up to date, and ensure your stage plot reflects the setup that you would showcase with.

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SHOWCASE JURYING: Showcases are awarded based on artistic merit and performance readiness, and are assessed by a committee of music industry peers. Folk Canada staff facilitate this process, but do not take part in the jurying itself. 

TYPES OF SHOWCASES:

Official Showcases are 20 minutes each, with full sound & stage production, soundcheck, and production team. Official Showcase Artists are selected based on artistic merit and performance-readiness. Official Showcase Artists will be given the option to participate in the Export Development and Canadian Buyers Programs, which include priority access to one-on-one pitch meetings.

​Spotlight Showcases are presented by conference partners and sponsors. The showcases will take place on multiple stages in the Hotel throughout the day and night (excluding Official Showcase times). Participants are chosen by partners and sponsors, and may include those who scored highly in the jurying process. 

Private Showcases are presented by anyone who wishes to curate and present an evening of music. Private showcases take place on the Saturday night of the conference, after the official showcases conclude, in hotel rooms as opposed to conference rooms, and are acoustic performances. Artists do not need to have an official or spotlight showcase to perform in a private showcase.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:

• All applicants, regardless of if they are selected for a showcase, will be sent a code to access discount artist pricing on conference registration fees once registration has opened. 

• ALL SHOWCASING ARTISTS and their support team must pay to attend the conference. Artists chosen for a showcase will be sent a code to remove their showcase application fee from their registration.

• Only one registration fee per person. If a person is playing in multiple showcasing bands, they do not need to pay multiple registration fees. 

BAND REGISTRATION: At least one member from each act will need to register at the ARTIST rate. All other members can register at the SIDE PLAYER rate, with a maximum price cap for all bands at $500.  

OFFICIAL SHOWCASE APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

FOLK CANADA CONFERENCE 2026 - Showcase Application Fees - All Prices in CAD

Folk Canada Member Rate: $25.00

Non-Member Rate:  $45.00 

IMPORTANT: If you are not a member and would like to be, use the member rate for this application.  From there, we will sign you up as a member of Folk Canada and send an invoice for $44+tax.  

No refunds will be issued to non-selected artists. However, artists who have applied will receive a $45 CDN rebate to apply on any Conference badge. 

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Have more questions? Please contact us at info@folkcanada.com 

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Click here for a video on putting together a great showcase application