Departure Festival + Conference and MLSE Relaunch Bursary Program to Support 15 Aspiring Music Industry Professionals
TAGS: Departure Festival + Conference, Loft Entertainment, Oak View Group, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Neil Claydon, Kevin Barton, Randy Lennox, Tim Leiweke, Irving Azoff, Scotiabank Arena, Coca-Cola Coliseum,
The music industry needs new voices, and Departure is making sure they get in the room. The Departure Festival + Conference, presented by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, has relaunched the Scotiabank Arena & Coca-Cola Coliseum Departure Bursary Program in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Fifteen aspiring music industry professionals will receive support to attend Departure in 2026. Applications are open now until April 19 at departureto.com/bursary.
The program is built for post-secondary students pursuing careers in live music and entertainment. Each recipient gets a full 2026 Departure Conference pass, access to educational sessions, networking opportunities across the music community, and direct one-on-one meetings with MLSE representatives in the Departure Mentors Lounge. It’s structured access at a moment when the right connection can genuinely change a career trajectory.
Neil Claydon, MLSE Vice President of Ticketing and Music & Live Entertainment, puts the intent plainly: “Over the past few years, we’ve been able to give dozens of young leaders unprecedented access and opportunity to get a glimpse into our amazing and thriving industry.” Kevin Barton, Executive Director of Departure, frames it as essential work: “Opening doors for emerging talent is essential to the future of the music industry.”
Originally created by Canadian Music Week and MLSE, the bursary program continues that legacy under the Departure banner. The program is open to Canadian residents and actively encourages applications from equity-seeking groups. All successful applicant details remain strictly confidential. Recipients will be announced April 27.
Applications close April 19. Apply here.