National Music Centre Invites Indigenous Artists to Apply for 2026 OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary

Press Release

(Calgary, AB – January 8, 2026) The National Music Centre (NMC) has opened a national call for applications for the 2026 OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary, continuing its commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices in music.

Open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists across Canada, the annual bursary supports both traditional and contemporary Indigenous musicians. Two selected recipients will receive a week-long recording session at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary with access to world-class studios and NMC’s renowned “living collection” of musical instruments. Artists are selected by NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee, and submissions are welcome from all musical genres. Applications are now open at studiobell.ca/ohsotokino and close on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT.

Thanks to the generous support of TD Bank Group, the National Music Centre’s OHSOTO’KINO Indigenous Programming Initiative has empowered Indigenous artists since 2022, and was recently renewed for an additional three years. The initiative is built on three pillars: music creation in NMC’s world-class recording studios, artist development through a music incubator program, and the annually updated Speak Up! exhibition, which showcases Indigenous trailblazers who have made an impact in Canada and beyond. Together, these elements create a powerful platform for Indigenous artists to develop their talents, share their culture, and spark dialogue.

Past recipients of the OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary include JUNO Award-winning powwow and round dance artist Joel Wood, Inuit-style throat singing duo PIQSIQ, country singer Chelsie Young, singer-songwriter Raymond Sewell, traditional groups Blackfoot Singers and Warscout, and more.

“We appreciate TD’s renewed support, which allows this bursary to continue making a meaningful impact for Indigenous artists in Canada,” said David McLeod (Minegoziibe Anishinabe formally Pine Creek First Nation, Treaty 4), NMC Board Member and Chair of NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee. “With access to world-class recording studios, a vast collection of instruments, and expert guidance, artists are given the creative tools to make their dreams possible. We’re excited to hear what comes next.”

About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music and is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian 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. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.

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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR and Marketing
National Music Centre
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada

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