The Juno Awards and Slaight Music have jointly announced that submissions are now open to Canada’s rising musical talent for the third annual Allan Slaight Juno Master Class.

The artist development program will provide three emerging Canadian artists the tools needed to amplify their careers with one-of-a-kind opportunities and lead them along a path to the Juno Award stage.

The Master Class includes a weeklong customized artist development program co-developed with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music.

Artists interested in participating in the 2018 Allan Slaight Juno Master Class can apply at Junomasterclass.ca by June 30, 2017.

There are no fees associated with submissions; however, applications require a CARAS Academy Delegate endorsement.

“We are extremely pleased with the results and the positive feedback the Allan Slaight Juno Master Class initiative is receiving from the music community,” said Gary Slaight, President and CEO Slaight Communications.

“My father, Allan Slaight, has always had an incredible passion for supporting Canadian talent and Slaight Music will continue to carry that torch by providing Canadian musicians the support they need to elevate their careers to another level.”

"Excited to be coming back as a panelist in this year’s JunoMaster Class. In our last round, it was inspiring to see all the fresh talent Canada has to offer,” said Award winner Lights and a member of the 2018 Super Jury. “Getting to have any hand in helping to encourage, shape and create avenues for these emerging talents is an honour. Can’t wait to see what this year of submissions has in store."

Canadian music industry leaders, including representatives from major and independent music labels, publishers, agents, managers and media partners, vote to determine the Top 10 artists. The winners are to be announced in August.

The three winners are to be selected by a jury, which includes Award-winning artists Lights, Max Kerman (of Arkells), and Kardinal Offishall, producer Gavin Brown, Slaight Music’s Talent Development Coordinator, Ali Slaight, and CARAS/Juno Awards President and CEO Allan Reid.

Announced in September 2017, the three winners will receive mentoring, education and skills training, development, networking and collaboration opportunities, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Toronto for a week with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music, followed by a music industry showcase in the city.

They will also receive a trip to the 2018 Juno Awards in Vancouver with a gig during Junofest; a docu-series capturing their journey, to run on JunoTV; and studio time at Slaight Music Recording Studios.

The program serves as a bridge between two pillars of CARAS: music education, through MusiCounts, and the celebration and promotion of music excellence through The Juno Awards.

The 2017 Master Class winners include Vancouver-based indie-rock group Youngblood, Nova Scotia’s pop-electronic group Neon Dreams, as well as Winnipeg’s hip-hop ensemble The Lytics.