Celebrating a Decade of Artist Development: Artist Entrepreneur West Returns to Calgary’s Studio Bell for 10th Anniversary
Applications for 10th anniversary AE West program close on July 12, 2026
(May 28, 2026 – Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB) The Artist Entrepreneur West (AE West) program is returning to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary for its milestone 10th anniversary in 2026. Artists based in Western and Northern Canada are invited to apply by July 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm MT at canadasmusicincubator.com/aewest.
AE West, presented in partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC), first launched in 2016 alongside the opening of Studio Bell, and has since supported emerging and independent artists from across Western and Northern Canada through professional development, mentorship, and music industry training. More than 100 artists have advanced their careers through the AE West program and over 1,500 hours of in-program and ongoing mentorship has been provided over the past 10 years, with several going on to earn national and international recognition, including JUNO Awards and major industry nominations. Noeline Hofmann, Sebastian Gaskin, Josh Sahunta, and Celeigh Cardinal are among them.
“We’re proud to continue this partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator and to welcome another cohort of artists to Studio Bell, which has served as a national hub for artist development since opening its doors 10 years ago,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, Director of Programs, National Music Centre. “Programs like AE West are a launchpad for artists, where they’re able to build meaningful connections, strengthen their careers, and access the tools they need to succeed in today’s evolving music industry.”
AE West equips emerging artists with practical tools and industry insight to help them build long-term, sustainable careers in music. Through one-on-one mentorship, collaborative sessions, professional development workshops, and direct access to industry experts, artists gain real-world experience navigating today’s evolving music landscape. The 10th anniversary edition of AE West will run from November 2 to December 4, 2026, at Studio Bell in Calgary.
“As we celebrate 10 years of the program, we are reminded of the impact AE West has had on artists and the music ecosystem across Western and Northern Canada, and how important it is to continue creating opportunities for emerging musicians to develop sustainable careers,” said Kate Rogers, Programs Manager, CMI. “It’s exciting to see what the artists from the programs have accomplished, and we look forward to continuing to support them and the next wave of emerging artists for many years to come.”
AE West is a regional extension of Canada’s Music Incubator’s (CMI) acclaimed Artist Entrepreneur program, originally launched in Toronto. This Calgary-based version is made possible through a partnership between CMI, a national not-for-profit organization, and the National Music Centre. Thanks to the generous support of Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, Stingray Radio, and TD Ready Commitment, as well as Manitoba Music and Manitoba Film and Music, who sponsor one Indigenous artist annually through the Vince Fontaine Legacy Award, most program costs are covered for participating artists.
Eligible artists must be 18 years old or over and actively writing, recording, releasing (or about to release) music, and performing live. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed over the summer prior to final selection.
Interested, eligible artists can apply now at: canadasmusicincubator.com/aewest.
About AE West
AE West launched in 2017 as an extension of the acclaimed Artist Entrepreneur program developed by Canada’s Music Incubator in Toronto. This professional development initiative has an entrepreneurial focus and empowers artists of all genres from across Western and Northern Canada to build sustainable careers, strengthen their craft, expand their networks, and foster meaningful community connections.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Based in Toronto, Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is anchored in professional development and amplified by expertly curated events to build sustainable careers and strengthen Canada’s music ecosystem. Since 2012, CMI has empowered 2,000+ emerging music entrepreneurs through 15,000+ hours of mentorship and curated 3,000+ live performances, paying artists more than $3 million+. Learn more at canadasmusicincubator.com.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
National Music Centre (NMC) is a registered charity dedicated to amplifying the love, sharing, and understanding of music in Canada. More than a museum, NMC focuses on five key areas: Exhibitions and Collections, Artist and Professional Development, Performance and Recording, Education and Learning, and Music and Wellness. From its headquarters at Studio Bell in the heart of Calgary’s East Village neighbourhood and satellite location in Montreal, NMC celebrates Canada’s rich musical legacy, honouring legendary artists, nurturing new voices, and bringing people together through music. NMC also houses a vast collection of rare instruments, artifacts and memorabilia, world-class recording studios, and four of Canada’s music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s Adisq Hall of Fame. National Music Centre marks its 10th anniversary as Canada’s home for music in 2026, with a year-long lineup of exhibits, events, and programs planned. Visit studiobell.ca/10 to explore the full list of anniversary activities happening now through summer 2027. To check out the NMC experience online, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
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Media contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager PR and Marketing
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada