Folk Music Ontario is Canada’s largest annual conference devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community. The conference offers training, showcasing, 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.  

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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. 

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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. If you are interested in being a juror, please contact us at office@folkmusicontario.ca 

TYPES OF SHOWCASES:

Official Showcases are presented by Folk Canada. The 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.

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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. 

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Private Showcases are presented by anyone who wishes to curate an evening/weekend of music. Private showcases take place in hotel rooms as opposed to conference rooms, and may be acoustic or amplified. Artists do not need to have an official or spotlight showcase to perform in a private showcase.

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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. ALL SHOWCASING ARTISTS and their support team must pay to attend the conference. Artists are guaranteed a discounted conference registration rate regardless of Showcase award status. Once your application has been received, you will be sent an email with a promo code to access the Artist rate.  

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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.  

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OFFICIAL SHOWCASE APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 31, 2025

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FOLK MUSIC ONTARIO CONFERENCE 2025 - Showcase Application Fees
FMO Member Rate: $25.00
Non-Member Rate: $45.00 

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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.  

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Have more questions? Please contact us at office@folkmusicontario.ca

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