SOCAN Foundation awards Music Creator Day grants totalling $40,000

Canadians encouraged to celebrate and support the artists, songwriters, and composers behind the music they love

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- On the eve of Canada's second annual Music Creator Day, SOCAN is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Music Creator Day grants. Through the SOCAN Foundation, a total of $40,000 in grant funding was awarded to four Canadian organizations whose projects showcase or invest in the work of music creators. 

Established alongside Music Creator Day in 2025 and celebrated each year on November 7 in honour of legendary Canadian songwriter Joni Mitchell's birthday, these grants support organizations that help songwriters and composers develop their craft and connect with audiences.

Together, the grant recipients represent a diverse range of projects that reflect the spirit of Music Creator Day through performances, educational programming, mentorship opportunities, and community-focused initiatives.

"Music Creator Day was established to recognize the cultural contributions of songwriters and composers at home and abroad," said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director, SOCAN Foundation. "These grants bring that vision to life by supporting organizations that create opportunities for music creators to learn and grow. We're proud to celebrate organizations investing in the careers of Canadian music creators."

"The goal of Music Creator Day is simple: to celebrate the songwriters and composers whose work makes our lives better. By shining a spotlight on music creators, we're building greater appreciation for the talent and creativity at the very heart of Canadian music," said Jennifer Brown, SOCAN CEO.

The 2026 Music Creator Day Grant recipients are:

Lawnya Vawnya
Lawnya Vawnya Music Creator Day Show
Date: November 7, 2026
Location: St. John's, NL
www.lawnyavawnya.com

Arts Etobicoke
Celebrating the Sounds of Etobicoke
Date: November 7, 2026
Location: Etobicoke, ON (Cloverdale Mall)
https://www.artsetobicoke.com/

Création le Pantoum
Créer d'ici : résidences et concerts pour la Journée des créateur•trices de musique
Date  November 7, 2026
Location: Québec, QC
www.lepantoum.com

Musica Intima Society
NOVUM
Date : November 7, 2026
Location: Vancouver, BC
https://www.musicaintima.org/

As Canadians celebrate the second annual Music Creator Day on November 7, SOCAN and SOCAN Foundation encourage everyone to celebrate Canadian music by listening to and supporting the artists, songwriters, and composers who create it.

Visit www.socanfoundation.ca for more information about the 2027 Music Creator Day grants.

For more information about Music Creator Day, follow us @SOCANMusic on social media.

About SOCAN

SOCAN is Canada's largest member-owned music rights organization, championing the fundamental value of music and the people who create it. SOCAN collects license fees for the public performance and reproduction of music, matches them to rights holders, and distributes them as royalties to songwriters, composers and music creators and publishers in Canada and around the world. With more than a century of expertise and innovation, SOCAN stands for respect and fair compensation for creative work – protecting, recognizing, and celebrating its over 200,000 songwriter, composer, and music publisher members. For more information: www.socan.com. 

About SOCAN Foundation

Founded in 1992, the SOCAN Foundation is dedicated to fostering the next generation of music creators and publishers in Canada through grants, awards, and programs. The Foundation is an independent organization guided by its board of directors. This organization is a part of the SOCAN Group of organizations and is guided by a board of directors, consisting of songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

SOURCE SOCAN