South Asian Music Accelerator

South Asian Music Accelerator 2026 Applications Open Now!

Ready to take the next step in your music journey? SAMA can support emerging South Asian music creators through mentorship, professional development, industry connections, and community-building.

SAMA is open to emerging South Asian music creators based in Canada. We welcome applications from singers, songwriters, producers, composers, DJs, and multidisciplinary artists working within the music space.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are open now and will close on July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified via email in late August 2026. Programming will begin online in September 2026, followed by in-person programming in Toronto from October 17-25, 2026.

Apply now via this link: https://forms.gle/c2vLjF415vFBzQHt7

Follow the journey on Instagram at @southasianmusicaccelerator and drop us a line at sama@arthausmusic.com

About

Founded by ArtHaus and rooted in the experiences of South Asian creatives in Canada, the South Asian Music Accelerator (SAMA) offers an artist-driven approach to professional development. Through mentorship, career strategy, and meaningful industry relationships, participants gain tools to build on their strengths and chart their own paths in the music industry.

SAMA supports singers, songwriters, producers, composers, DJs, and multidisciplinary artists at various stages of their creative journeys. The program fosters collaboration, community-building, and meaningful industry relationships while helping participants strengthen both their artistic and professional practice.

FAQ

SAMA is open to South Asian artists, songwriters, producers, and music creators based in Canada. We welcome applicants across genres, languages, and creative backgrounds who are actively building their music careers and looking to grow through mentorship, collaboration, and industry access.
The 2026 South Asian Music Accelerator will take place in Toronto from October 17-25, 2026. Additional programming, updates, and community events may take place before or after the main program dates.
There is no fee to apply or participate in SAMA. Accepted participants will also receive an honorarium in recognition of their time and participation throughout the program.
No. Travel and accommodations will be covered for accepted participants so they can fully take part in the program.
Selected participants are expected to attend all core SAMA sessions, workshops, and programming during the accelerator week. Some additional events or opportunities may be optional, but we encourage participants to be as present and engaged as possible to get the most out of the experience.
Participants are selected through an application review process by a non-biased, holistic jury. We look at artistic vision, creative potential, commitment to growth, readiness for the program, and how each applicant may contribute to the wider SAMA community.
Participants can expect mentorship, workshops, panels, creative development sessions, song camp opportunities, industry conversations, and community-building experiences designed to support South Asian music creators as they take the next step in their careers.
This year’s program will also include new additions, an extended song camp, and more opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate, and build relationships across the music industry.
Yes. While the core accelerator is designed for artists, songwriters, producers, and music creators, we’re always looking to connect with people who care about building the South Asian music ecosystem. If you’re an industry professional, creative, partner, mentor, volunteer, or community member interested in getting involved, please reach out to us at sama@arthausmusic.com
You can stay connected by following @southasianmusicaccelerator and visiting http://www.arthausmusic.com/sama for updates. You can also email sama@arthausmusic.com to receive news, reminders, and future announcements.

SAMA 2025 Cohort

Here’s our class of 2025!

ANKUR SINHA, REVAY, JJ GREWAL , PRIYANA, PRI, ELEMENT MUSIK, SHALLY REHAL, SONAALI, SO.JAYYY

Follow the journey on Instagram at @southasianmusicaccelerator and drop us a line at sama@arthausmusic.com

Introducing SAMA: featuring Ikky and Alysha Brilla

South Asian Music Accelerator (SAMA) Launch with Ikky and Alysha Brilla

On May 6, 2025, we hosted the launch of the South Asian Music Accelerator (SAMA). The event featured a live interview with breakout producer and executive Ikky, moderated by JUNO Award-nominated artist Alysha Brilla. We were also joined by Neesha Hothi, who hosted the evening and helped guide the energy of the event. If you want to revisit the moment, you can listen to the full conversation on SoundCloud, courtesy of DJ Trinidadd y. Following the launch, attendees were invited to a special screening of Late Bloomer, followed by a live Q&A with creator J asmeet Raina. The event was made possible with support from Departure Festival and Conference, the National Arts Centre (NAC), and the RBC Community Investment Hub.

Industry Power Hour

Hosted in our Studio and Artist Residence in Toronto, we brought together a group of artists and industry professionals for an afternoon of connection, music exchange, and authentic conversation. The goal? To break down artificial barriers and create space to vibe, collaborate, and grow.

Want to partner on our next Industry Power Hour? Reach out to us at sama@arthausmusic.com

Program Partners

As an artist management company and an independent record company, Coalition Music boasts past and present partnerships with some of Canada’s most lauded artists that have sold over fifteen million albums, with over 1 billion digital downloads and streams.

Canada's Music Incubator (CMI) is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in professional development programs, paid live performance opportunities, and ongoing mentorship in support of emerging artists, managers and industry professionals across all genres of music.

Land Acknowledgement

The ArtHaus Community acknowledges that we operate on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples. We also recognize that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa First Nations. We acknowledge that this land is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to live, create, and gather on these lands.