2025/2026 Program

With the support of FACTOR, ACOA, and Innovation PEI, Music PEI is thrilled to launch the redesigned Takin’ Care of Business Program (TCOB) TCOB was designed to assist Music PEI members to further develop their careers with a particular focus on developing skills to manage the business side of their music careers, create multiple revenue streams, and increase their overall business opportunities.

The “Takin’ Care of Business” program has been instrumental in teaching best business practices for artists within the music industry. However, its capacity has been limited to only six members per year, restricting access to this vital information.

To address this, we are excited to announce an expansion of the program, making it accessible to our entire membership. Each core and advanced session will now be held twice annually. Attendance will be a prerequisite for advancing Artist Levels.

Takin’ Care of Business is 100% FREE for Music PEI members.

Program Delivery

Takin’ Care of Business will be delivered by Mathias Kom. Music has been the driving force in Mathias Kom’s life for the last twenty years. With his indie folk band The Burning Hell, he’s released nine albums and toured over thirty countries. Mathias is also one of the co-founders of the Lawnya Vawnya festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he received his PhD in ethnomusicology, studying the economics of small music scenes. He’s taught courses in music history and music business at Memorial, UPEI, and Cape Breton University, and often teaches private songwriting workshops. Whether on stage, behind a desk, or at his home studio in Fairfield PEI, Mathias believes in the power of music to shape our lives for the better.

Workshop Curriculum

TCOB Core Sessions

  • Rights, Royalties, and PROs: Understand your music rights, how royalties work, and the role of Performing Rights Organizations in collecting and distributing them.
  • Introduction to Funding & Grant-Writing: Learn the essentials of securing music funding through grants and writing compelling grant applications.
  • Business Basics & Building Your Team: Get a foundation in music business essentials and tips on assembling a strong team to support your career.

Each core session is 1 hour in length.

TCOB Advanced Sessions

  • On Brand: Branding and digital presence; marketing & business plans; music publicity; funding opportunities for marketing
  • On Stage: Showcasing & conferences; regional, national, international touring; funding opportunities for touring & showcasing
  • On Record: Labels & distribution, streaming & playlisting, synch licensing; funding opportunities for sound recording

Each advanced session is 2 hours in length.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Participants must be members of Music PEI.
  • Advance registration is required.

Important Note:

Attendance at the Takin’ Care of Business workshops is required to access Music PEI’s Investment Program and to advance Artist Levels. For more information on these requirements, please refer to the Investment Program Artist Eligibility Requirements.

Past participants have had very positive results:

MusicPEI’s Takin’ Care Of Business program provided me with a solid foundation upon which to build my career. Mathias presents a comprehensive curriculum touching upon every aspect of being an artist in today’s dynamic music industry, and his real-world perspectives (e.g. leading a discussion about touring while on tour himself) give the program a deep authenticity.

Aaron Comeau

Being a participant in the Takin’ Care of Business program had a huge impact on my ability to manage my career as a indie solo artist and band leader. The program provided such a broad yet detailed understanding of the music industry ecosystem, presented by an interesting group of presenters who brought a wide range of expertise. It turned my patchwork understanding of how to promote my music into a concrete set of considerations to make, and steps to take. It made me see the business side of music as another opportunity for creativity, collaboration, and connection.

Carlie Howell

Register for Takin’ Care of Business Spring 2025 Sessions

TCOB Core Sessions

  • Monday March 24th, 2025: Rights, Royalties, and PROs
  • Tuesday, April 1st, 2025: Introduction to Funding & Grant-Writing
  • Wednesday, April 9th, 2025: Business Basics & Building Your Team

All core sessions take place from 6:30PM-7:30PM (AT).

TCOB Advanced Sessions

  • Tuesday, March 25th, 2025: On Brand – Ariel Sharatt & Jud Haynes
  • Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025: On Stage – Mathias Kom
  • Thursday, April 10th, 2025: On Record – Evan Newman

All advanced sessions take place from 6:30PM-8:30PM (AT).

RSVP Now!