Northern Arts Conference
Jan 20 - 24 2027
CKUA RADIO BUILDING · EDMONTON
A two-day gathering for artists and music industry professionals to learn, connect and build sustainable careers in music.
As part of the Winterruption YEG’S expanded 2027 programming, the 7th annual festival has added the to its schedule for 2027. The conference is an opportunity to share knowledge and industry best practices with artists and industry attending Winterruption, as well as the greater Western Canadian arts and music community. Running Thursday January 21 and Friday January 22 at the iconic CKUA Radio building on Jasper Avenue, over 25 industry speakers and experts aim to assist the industry in sharing knowledge and career development for now and into the future.
Conference subjects have been developed with learning and career development in mind, and also looks to align with the pillars of the Alberta Music Action Plan, delivered in April of 2026.
NAC conference topics include
Music Business featuring: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Funding and Grant strategy, reporting
Incorporation, Royalty registration Contracts and Sync Partnership agreements
Marketing & Building a Sustainable Career in Music
Album Release Campaigns
Neurodivergent Artists & Industry
...& more
The intention of adding the Northern Arts Conference to Winterruption programming is to develop and invest in not only our existing festival artists, but educate and foster arts and music education to the greater music community of Alberta and Western Canada. By investing in the industry in Alberta and Western Canada, we hope to develop the resurging music scene through committed support from the City of Edmonton Downtown Vibrancy program, Bird Creative’s Amplified program, and a partnership with Alberta Music and its membership.
The Northern Arts Conference is an important addition to the professional development opportunities available to Edmonton and Alberta’s music industry. The more we can work together to provide meaningful resources, share knowledge and build connections, the stronger our artists, music companies and industry professionals will be. Opportunities like NAC help build the capacity of our sector and give our industry the tools and relationships it needs to grow.
ARTIST SHOWCASE
Five new and emerging export-ready artists, presented with Alberta Music at The Dive Bar on Thursday, January 21.
INDUSTRY LUNCHES
Two opportunities to meet, talk and connect over lunch.
DAILY MIXERS
Wrap up each conference day with delegates, speakers and industry professionals.
Winterruption is thrilled to add this new and important piece of programming to its 2027 line-up and anticipate this being an annual event running concurrently with the festival to assist showcasing artists and the extended community a chance to hone their skills and sharpen their tools for success.
The expansion in our programming to include a knowledge sharing event like the Northern Arts Conference shows our growth as a festival, and growth within the greater Alberta music ecosystem. I couldn’t be more excited to have industry pros join us in Edmonton this January