Canadian Musician - September/October 2020 | Page 17

ONLINE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SURVEY Canadian Musician surveyed artists to find out if they’ve been taking advantage of any online career-development opportunities and what their experience has been. Here are the results… Since the pandemic shutdowns began, have you taken the opportunity to develop your career through things like webinars, virtual conferences/panels, online workshops/tutorials, etc.? 23% Ð Yes, a great dealÐ 61% Yes, a little bit 16% No If you have taken part in any online career development opportunities, which have you done? 22% Ð Virtual conference(s) Virtual panel discussion(s) Ð 19% Ð43% Ð Music career/skills-focused reading 16% Other Generally, if you have taken part in some of the virtual learning opportunities that have sprung up in response to the shutdowns, have you found it helpful? 34% Ð Very helpful 50% Somewhat helpful Ð 14%Ð Ð Not very helpfulÐ Ð 2% Ð Not at all helpfulÐ Had these same opportunities been available before the shutdowns, do you think you would’ve taken part? 24%ÐÐ Definitely 42% Ð Probably yes 33% Probably not Ð 0%Ð Definitely not Since the pandemic began, what careerdevelopment activity have you found most helpful? Why was it useful? [selected responses] “Online networking and attending panels. It’s tremendously helpful to keep everyone busy focusing on the positives, rather than dwelling on the bummer that is COVID-19. Find your silver lining is what I am telling everyone who will listen.” “Independent study. Focused work on vocal elements, exercises on music composition, and online workshops on the business side of being an artist.” “SongStudio2020 was on Zoom. It was different but still wonderful (I’ve attended since 2012) RE: songwriting, production, evaluations, mentors. I’ve attended CIMA/MusicOntario events, Indie Week panel discussions, and Zoom meets with the Female Musicians Academy.” “NWC Webinars, Ari Incoming Emails, MICCO, and Canada.ca have helped with funding programs to help the future of my music.” “I have been taking online recording/producing courses. It’s self-paced and we have meetings. Just a reminder that you can do more remotely than you thought possible; you just have to think outside the box. I’ve been taking online courses for years.” “Staying true to doing a weekly online show to stay fresh, relevant, and sharpen our skill sets… Doing that has been the best medicine.” AND THE AWARD GOES TO... Polaris Prize Short List Revealed The Polaris Music Prize has unveiled the 10 albums on the 2020 Short List. Polaris will be celebrating the short-listed albums and awarding the winner with a special cinematic tribute happening Oct. 19 th to be broadcast on CBC Music’s online platforms The 2020 Polaris Music Prize Short List is: Backxwash’s God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out Of It; Caribou’s Suddenly; Junia-T’s Studio Monk; Kaytranada’s Bubba; nêhiyawak’s nipiy; Pantayo’s self-titled album; Lido Pimienta’s Miss Colombia; Jessie Reyez’s Before Love Came To Kill Us; U.S. Girls’ Heavy Light; and Witch Prophet’s DNA Activation. The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales. Albums eligible for 2020 prize consideration had to be released between May 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020. For more information, go to www.polarismusicprize.ca. canadianmusician.com/news MORE Ð CANADIAN MUSICIAN 17