Artist Lab – Connection X Creation

For the fifth year, Mundial Montréal and M for Montréal invite you to Artist Lab 2025, co-presented by Symphonic Distribution. On November 21, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Maison du développement durable will become a dynamic space for connection, exchange, and inspiration.

This fully free day features 9 professional development activities: 4 panels and talks, 2 networking activities, 2 immersive workshops, and 1 exclusive in conversation, along with 11 booths bringing together key players from the music industry. Whether you’re an accompanied or self-managed artist, this is the perfect opportunity to learn, exchange, and build meaningful connections with industry professionals.

Artist Lab 2025 is a day of training, connection, and exchange designed to spark creativity and equip the next generation of artists and cultural workers.

Please arrive in advance for each activity, as spaces are limited.

To register for the Artist LAB, please RSVP here.

Panels + Workshops

Demystifying Grant Rejections

Securing funding is never guaranteed, and for many artists and organizations, a rejection can feel discouraging and confusing. This panel aims to shed light on the most common reasons behind grant refusals and provide participants with the tools to turn these setbacks into opportunities for growth. Panelists will share insights on frequent mistakes in applications, overlooked evaluation criteria, and the importance of timing when submitting a project. The discussion will offer practical advice to strengthen future applications, better understand funders’ expectations, and ultimately increase the chances of success.

Moderator: Julie-Anne Cloutier – C2MTL
Panelists: Philippe Lafrenière – Canada Council for the Arts, Marcus Tamm – FACTOR, Guillaume Thériault – Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec

Navigating Mechanical Royalties with CMRRA

Presented par CMRRA

Learn the essentials of mechanical royalties and how to ensure you’re collecting them. The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) will walk through their role in the music royalty ecosystem, explain how royalties are generated, and outline the ways they support publishers and self-published songwriters. This session is designed to give you a clear understanding of the royalty process from registration to payment.

Panelists: Eric Cohen and Andrea England – CMRRA

 

Lunch Talk with Bonne Promo

Presented by Bonne Promo

Take an inspiring break over a convivial lunch and meet the Bonne Promo team. Specialized in communications, marketing, and public relations within the cultural sector, the Bonne Promo team  will share their experience and practical advice to help you better promote your artistic projects. This interactive session will not only allow you to discover their services but also to ask all your questions about music marketing strategies and alternatives to traditional industry models. A unique opportunity to engage directly with experts and leave with concrete insights to amplify the reach of your music.

Animation: Alexandre Archambault, Sandrine Janelle and Guillaume Mansour – Bonne Promo

To ensure the discussion is as relevant as possible, we invite you to submit your questions in advance by clicking here.

This will allow us to incorporate your priority topics into the conversation.

 

Artists’ Affinity Gathering

Presented by Centre des musiciens du monde

This warm and participatory activity, presented by the Centre des musiciens du monde, creates a dedicated space for artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to connect. Its purpose is clear: to foster dialogue, discover artistic and human affinities, and spark new creative collaborations. Participants will have the chance to share their journeys, projects, and aspirations in an open and welcoming setting. Whether seeking creative partners, exploring cross-cultural musical encounters, or simply expanding one’s network, this gathering offers an inspiring opportunity to build meaningful and lasting connections within the artistic community.

Animation: Milan Simas – Centre des musiciens du monde

In Conversation with Pierre-Luc Rioux

Presented by SOCAN

In this intimate talk presented in collaboration with SOCAN, discover the remarkable journey of Montreal-born guitarist, music producer, and songwriter Pierre-Luc Rioux, who has collaborated with global superstars such as David Guetta, Sia, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Usher. His work goes far beyond pop hits: a two-time Gémeaux Awards nominee, he has also composed for film and television, always driven by the pursuit of capturing the right emotion. During this session, Pierre-Luc will share insights into his creative process, international experiences, and his vision of building a career grounded in authenticity. Participants will also learn more about how SOCAN supports artists of this caliber.

Animation: Gaby Gauthier-Durand – SOCAN
Artist: Pierre-Luc Rioux

 

Upload to Success: The Complete Journey of a Single

Presented by Symphonic Distribution

Releasing a single is about much more than uploading it online. For a song to truly reach its audience, every step of its life cycle matters: digital distribution, optimization for streaming platforms, pitching to editorial playlists, promotion with media and curators, and analyzing results to prepare what’s next. This panel offers a clear and chronological roadmap through that process, featuring insights from experts in distribution, marketing, PR, and digital platforms. Together, they will share practical strategies and global perspectives, with a focus on the fast-growing Latin music market in the U.S. and the central role of platforms like YouTube.

Panelists: Dorian Perron – Groover, Marie-Pier Letourneau – De la Letourneau, Steve Nightingale – Symphonic Distribution, Gautier Villette – SPACQ-AE

Pimp Your Show: From rehearsal room to spotlight

Your showcase lasts 20 minutes — just enough time to make people remember you… or forget you. In this high-impact session, Olivier Laroche, live music performance coach and founder of Pimp Your Show, reveals how artists can turn a short set into a powerful, career-defining moment. Drawing from years of experience coaching emerging and established acts across Canada and abroad, he shares the most common mistakes artists make — and the proven four-step method that helps them connect deeply with audiences, stand out in showcases, and leave a lasting impression on industry professionals. Because while great songs open our ears, great performances stay in our minds.

Animation: Olivier Laroche – Pimp Ton Show

 

Mental Health in Music : Breaking the Silence

The music industry is exciting but also demanding, often leading to significant mental health challenges. Performance anxiety, financial instability, relentless schedules, isolation, and burnout are common realities faced by both artists and industry professionals. This panel brings together four speakers with diverse perspectives for an open and compassionate discussion on these issues. The conversation will highlight personal insights and practical tools to recognize warning signs, foster well-being practices, and encourage a healthier dialogue across the cultural sector. The session will conclude with a Q&A, giving the audience the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.

Moderation : Marianne Berthelette – Centre psychologique pour artistes
Panelists : Alexandre Craigh – Self-managed artist and social worker, Noémie Laniel – Coup de cœur francophone. Vincent Séguin – Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec

Sound Medicine with Caracol: An Immersion in Sound Therapy

Sound therapy, also known as Sound Bath or Sound Healing, is an immersive experience using the power of sound frequencies as a tool for self-connection. Guided by Caracol, sound therapist, songwriter, and music producer, participants are taken through rich, meditative soundscapes created with gongs, Himalayan bowls, crystal instruments, drums, hand pan, and more. Each session encourages deep relaxation of the nervous system and may open the door to altered states of consciousness. Increasingly recognized by neuroscience for its benefits, sound therapy helps soothe anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and other conditions. Caracol, a graduate of the British Academy of Sound Therapy and an award-winning artist with international touring experience, blends her musical journey with her therapeutic practice to create a transformative and restorative experience.

Sonotherapist: Caracol

 

Kiosks

From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., meet our partners to exchange and learn more about their services, programs, and the tools they offer!

Learn more about and from Artisti, CMRRA, Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec, Conseil des arts de Montréal, FACTOR,  Fondation Musicaction, Music Team, NATYFTV, Publicité Sauvage, Les SMAQ, and SOCAN!

 

Please Note

Artist Lab is an initiative designed to equip artists and professionals with the tools to take their careers to the next level. A true bridge between emerging and established players in the music industry, it provides a space for connection, learning, and collaboration that fosters growth and professional development.

The event is free and open to everyone ! Limited spaces so reserve your spot right now!