WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY?

• Applications are open from until January 30, 2026

 

WHAT ARE THE FEES TO APPLY?

• Folk Canada Member Rate: $25.00

• Non-Member Rate:  $45.00 

• 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.  

 

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A SHOWCASE?

• 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. ​We had 15 different languages represented at the conference last year! 

• More styles, more genres, more fun!

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 would showcase with.

 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 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.

 

HOW MANY SHOWCASE SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE?

• There are typically 60 official showcase spots available, depending on space at the venue. 

• The amount of Spotlight Showcases depends on partners and sponsors of the conference. This number will be determined closer to the event. 

• The amount of Private showcases depends on the amount of space available at the host hotel. This number will be determined as we get closer to the event. 

 

HOW ARE THE SHOWCASES JURIED?

• Folk Canada regularly receives over 500 applications to showcase at the Folk Canada conference. 

• Showcases are awarded based on artistic merit and performance readiness, and are assessed by a committee of music industry peers. This process takes place through online documents, with jurors listening and adjudicating on their own time.  

• Multiple jurors see each and every application.

• Folk Canada staff facilitate this process, but do not take part in the jurying itself. 

 

DO I NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE IF I’M SELECTED FOR A SHOWCASE?

• All applicants, regardless of if they are selected for a showcase, will be sent a code to access discount artist pricing on conference 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 artist. If an artist 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 ($200). All other members can register at the SIDE PLAYER rate ($75), with a maximum price cap for all bands of $500.  

 

If you have additional questions, please contact us directly at joel@folkcanada.com