What is Northern Exposure?

Northern Exposure draws together music and arts industry from rural and urban British Columbia to share ideas and knowledge on the sector, access professional development, and foster growth and support networks. The conference includes a showcase of emerging and professional musicians to ensure more exposure, promotion and support for BC talent and touring.

Northern Exposure recognizes the unique opportunities and challenges faced by those who create, produce or present music in rural settings and the conference aims to explore and address those opportunities and challenges. In rural BC, distances are vast and those working in the music sector often face isolation and a lack of resources. Meeting face-to-face, and with dedicated and intentional time, is vital way to overcome this and build strength in the industry and more opportunities for working artists.

What’s in store for 2024?

Armed with a Compass: A Northern Exposure Conference is a deep dive into climate and emergency preparedness with support from Arts BC and the Vancouver Foundation, Department of Canadian Heritage, and Rural Arts Inclusion Lab.


Onsite in Barkerville, 2018. Photo by Mary Matheson

Onsite in Barkerville, 2018. Photo by Mary Matheson

“Island Mountain Arts holds space for bringing people and ideas together with the Northern Exposure Conference. In an industry where we all move at break-neck speed to keep the fires going, Northern Exposure provides the opportunity to stop for a moment to scheme and dream with others about how we can move forward with the holistic health of our immediate and outward communities and industry in mind.”

- 2020 Virtual Northern Exposure Attendee