Music in Surrey
Surrey is on track to be a major hub for musicians, creating more opportunities to perform, grow, and connect. A strong music scene means more gigs, better support for artists, and a thriving local industry.
Find out how Surrey can build a music economy that works for musicians like you.
Surrey is Canada’s
up and coming music city
As one of the fastest growing metropolitan centres in the region, Surrey has a diverse community of musicians, music businesses, industry workers and fans. Throughout the City, an estimated 350,000, or 62% of residents regularly engage with music. It is estimated that 1.5 million attendees enjoyed music in Surrey in 2019. Supporting the next generation of Surrey artists is key to building a music city for years to come.
Surrey Music Strategy
The Surrey Music Strategy is a cross-departmental and industry tool that provides recommendations on how best to develop a growing music economy across all Surrey town centres. Framed around seven strategic pillars, the Surrey Music Strategy is designed to ensure that music development supports Surrey's unique needs.
Each pillar includes recommendations and ongoing, short, medium, and long-term actions. By taking action in each of these key areas, Surrey can build a diverse, inclusive, and thriving music scene.
Strategic pillars
- Amplify Surrey’s music talent and supportive resources
- Continue building bridges between the City and Surrey’s diverse music communities
- Improve access to places and spaces for music
- Establish Surrey’s music identity
- Expand audience awareness and engagement
- Advance municipal leadership and support
- Encourage music tourism and placemaking
For more information, read the Surrey Music Strategy Appendix.
Surrey Musician
and Business Directories
These directories are free resources that connect members of Surrey’s music community.
Surrey Musician
Directory
Search this directory to find talented local musicians for your event.
Surrey Music
Business Directory
Support Surrey-based promoters, publicists, event producers, record labels and music organizations.
Sharry Mann
Fusion Festival
Band-aid
Youth musicians performing in studio
Stars of the North Drum Group
Upcoming music events
Check out these concerts that are happening in Surrey!
Funding opportunities
Grants and funding support a wide range of music activities and business development, including music creation, production, live performance, training, and operational support.
The grants and funding listed below are publicly funded programs that are currently accepting applications. Additionally, the City offers a variety of Cultural Grants that fund cultural events and activities in Surrey.
Live music grants
Live Performance – FACTOR Canada
This grant subsidizes the cost of domestic and international performances including showcases and tours.
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Sponsorship – FACTOR Canada
The grant program supports eligible music-related events and projects that do not quite fit within other program requirements. These events can be music festivals, conferences, workshops, industry associate events, and showcases.
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Musician development grants
Professional Development Assistance Program – SOCAN Foundation
This grant provides SOCAN composers, writers, and music publishers with funding for courses, workshops, seminars and conferences to help them further develop their skills and advance their careers
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Travel Assistance Program – SOCAN Foundation
This program helps fund travel-related costs for career-defining opportunities for SOCAN composers, writers, and music publishers across all genres of music.
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Songwriter Development – FACTOR Canada
This program offers a $2,000 subsidy toward a year of songwriting initiatives, such as domestic and international travel for co-writing sessions and trips, songwriting camps and workshops, and eligible showcases.
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Video – FACTOR Canada
This program contributes to the cost of producing music videos for eligible Canadian Sound recordings by artists rated 2 and 3.
- Rolling intake
- Apply at any time
Music business development grants
Olivia Quan Award for Audio Excellence - Music BC
This scholarship is to honour the lovely Olivia Quan. It is for the future generations of young people pursuing a career in audio to learn from and be inspired by Olivia’s achievements and dedication to her craft.
- Applications close on Friday April 12th, 2024 at 5pm PST
Collective Initiatives - FACTOR Canada
Comprised of three components that, singly or in combination, help finance music industry events, showcases and productions that have a collective benefit for the Canadian music industry.
- Application needs to be submitted at least 3 months before project start date.
This project is supported by Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia.
