Taking Care of Business Program (Music PEI): How to Apply

By GrantHub Research Team · · Lire en français

Taking Care of Business Program (Music PEI): How to Apply

If you’re a music creator or music business in Prince Edward Island, many funding programs expect you to understand the basics of the music business before they release money. The Taking Care of Business Program from Music PEI is designed to fill that gap. It’s a required step if you want to access Music PEI investment funding or move up artist levels.

Unlike a cash grant, this program focuses on training and business readiness. Knowing how to apply — and what it allows you to do — can save you time and help you qualify for future funding faster.


What Is the Taking Care of Business Program?

The Taking Care of Business Program is a business development and training program delivered by Music PEI for the PEI music industry. It provides structured workshops that cover core and advanced music business topics.

Key facts:

  • Program type: Training and business development (not direct funding)
  • Delivery: Online or in-person workshops (session format varies)
  • Jurisdiction: Prince Edward Island
  • Status: Open (sessions run throughout the year)
  • Official source: Music PEI

This program is a gateway requirement. Attendance is mandatory if you want to access the Music PEI Investment Program or advance your official artist level.


Who Is Eligible?

To apply for the Taking Care of Business Program, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a current Music PEI member
  • Register in advance for scheduled workshops
  • Attend the required core sessions
  • Be active in the music industry (artist, songwriter, or music business)

There is no public minimum revenue requirement. The focus is on professional development, not business size or income.


What Does the Program Cover?

The Taking Care of Business Program is split into two main types of sessions: core sessions and advanced sessions.

Core Sessions (Required)

Each core session is 1 hour long and focuses on fundamentals, including:

  • Understanding music rights and ownership
  • How royalties work
  • The role of performing rights organizations
  • Basics of music funding in Canada
  • Music business structure and planning

You must complete these sessions to move forward with Music PEI funding opportunities.

Advanced sessions are typically 2 hours long and cover topics such as:

  • Branding and digital presence
  • Marketing and audience growth
  • Business plans for music projects
  • Showcasing and conferences
  • Touring (regional, national, international)
  • Labels, distribution, and streaming
  • Sync licensing and sound recordings

These sessions strengthen your applications for future grants and investments.


How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Applying to the Taking Care of Business Program is straightforward:

  1. Become a Music PEI member
    Membership is mandatory before registration.

  2. Check upcoming session dates
    Sessions are posted on the Music PEI website. Dates vary throughout the year.

  3. Register in advance
    Walk-ins are not guaranteed. Registration is required for eligibility tracking.

  4. Attend all required core sessions
    Music PEI checks attendance. If you miss sessions, you may have to wait longer for funding.

  5. Keep records of completion
    Music PEI uses attendance records when assessing access to its Investment Program.

If you’re uncertain which programs require training like this, try GrantHub now to compare eligibility and track your progress across dozens of music and arts grants.


Why the Program Matters for Funding

The Taking Care of Business Program does not provide direct funding. Its value is that it helps you qualify for other funding:

  • Required access to Music PEI’s Investment Program
  • Eligibility to advance artist levels
  • Stronger, more complete funding applications
  • Fewer rejections due to missing business fundamentals

Many applicants are delayed simply because they skipped this step.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming it’s a cash grant
This program is training-only. No money is paid out directly.

Not registering in advance
Advance registration is mandatory. Late sign-ups can block eligibility.

Skipping core sessions
Advanced sessions don’t replace core sessions. Core attendance is required.

Waiting until you need funding
If you wait until a grant deadline, you may miss sessions and delay your application by months.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Taking Care of Business Program a grant?
No. It’s a business development and training program, not direct funding.

Q: Do I have to complete this program to get Music PEI funding?
Yes. Attendance is required to access the Music PEI Investment Program and advance artist levels.

Q: How long are the sessions?
Core sessions are 1 hour each. Advanced sessions are typically 2 hours long.

Q: What topics are covered?
Topics include music rights, royalties, branding, touring, marketing, business plans, and funding basics.

Q: Is there a cost to participate?
Costs are not publicly listed and may depend on your Music PEI membership status.


  • What expenses do arts, culture, and media grants cover?
  • How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules
  • What business expenses are eligible across Canadian grants and loans?

Next Steps

If you’re serious about music funding in PEI, the Taking Care of Business Program should be one of your first moves. It removes eligibility barriers and strengthens every future application you submit.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and training programs across Canada — including arts and music funding — so you can see which ones match your business profile and what steps to complete first.


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