Here you can find help and advice on the creative music industries. This guide includes a list of links related to: business, careers, communities, courses, jobs, producing, performing, releasing and getting paid.
Careers Guidance | Support | Women in Music | Courses | Performing | Releasing | Funding | Jobs
Visit Studio12’s Opportunities Guide for current music events, funding & opportunities
Please note: Our site contains links to and from other websites. Studio12 and Leeds City Council do not necessarily endorse or support the organisations that are linked to or from our website. We cannot guarantee that links will work all the time, and we have no control over the content or availability of the linked pages on other websites. We aim to keep this page as up to date as possible, however please check details yourself before applying for opportunities. If you’re a Studio12 member and need some help or advice in applying for any opportunities, (or to discuss if they are right for you) please email studio12@leeds.gov.uk
Some of the opportunities in this guide take place outside of Leeds.
Careers Guidance
Apprentice Nation: Mentoring Sessions Book a 1-1 online mentor session with mentors from the music, production, creative industries and more. Mentor Sessions are 30 minutes, online, and completely free. A relaxed chat with someone making waves in industry, with experience to share. Pick a Mentor from Atlantic Records, Concord Records, MTV Networks and more, as well as independent creatives, producers and directors, carving their way in industry.
BBC Music Introducing: Visit the BBC website to listen to a variety of masterclasses by music industry professionals.
Help Musicians UK: A UK charity offering help for musicians throughout their careers. They provide advice and support about careers, studying, as well as options to apply for funding. Visit the Help Musicians UK website to access free advice and events.
Launchpad: Free Online Advice Sessions. Launchpad supports the music sector in Yorkshire, providing and signposting to advice, funding and opportunities – for artists, music businesses and music industry professionals. The team behind Launchpad run Online Advice Sessions every other Tuesday. This is an opportunity for artists and music professionals to gain advice and guidance on areas that include but are not limited to knowing when to release your music, how to get into radio, royalties and funding opportunities. You can either book an online session or check their Facebook page for upcoming in-person sessions.
Music Publishers Association: A non-profit organisation representing music publishers in the UK. Visit Music Publisher’s website for guides on: job seeking, internships, work experience and how to manage the music business yourself as a ‘DIY’ artist.
Musicians Union: An organisation representing over 30,000 musicians. Visit Musicians Union’s website for guides on: copyright, finance, health & safety, marketing yourself, legal services, sexual harassment, working relationships, tax and more.
Sound and Music: Visit Sound and Music’s website for a useful Young Composers Toolkit, designed to give composers and sound artists information and advice on how to build and sustain a career in the music industry.
Supporting Music Industry Resources / Community
Youth Music: Here, you’ll find a comprehensive collection of tools, guides, and resources designed to support organisations and projects in the music industry. They also have a page full of upcoming opportunities in the music industry here.
Association of Independent Music (AIM): The not-for-profit trade body representing UK’s independent music. Members range from the respected record labels and associated music businesses to self-releasing artists and the next generation of music entrepreneurs. AIM promotes and supports this diverse sector globally by providing a range of services, opportunities and practical help to members.
BBC Music Introducing: Tune in to the show that celebrates the best of West Yorkshire’s thriving music scene Saturdays 8-10pm, presented by Emily Pilbeam.
Brighter Sound: A music charity based in Manchester. With national and international reach, they’ve delivered exciting projects and events that support young and emerging musicians for almost 20 years.
British Council Music Community: Working with a global network, they create music projects and opportunities that allow people to exchange ideas across genres. Visit British Council Music’s website for a list of UK festivals, publications, music organisations, and UK funding.
Caution Collective: (Facebook link) Founded by musical director Christella Litras, what began as a very small performance group has grown into an elite portfolio of up and coming songwriters and musicians. Their events have taken place across Yorkshire since 2007, but have mainly been hosted at Seven Arts in Leeds. The evenings host both established and emerging singer/songwriters across multiple genres.
Chapel FM: This arts centre and community radio station in Leeds offers education and training including music resources and a range of courses – from art to radio to writing.
Chunk: (Facebook link) A members collective in Leeds made up of musicians, events promoters, graphic artists, poets, and photographers. Chunk offers its members a platform to express themselves creatively and provides a space to host rehearsals, exhibitions, performances, club nights and gigs.
Come Play With Me: specialise in supporting people from marginalised communities to further their careers in music. They provide tailored career development for individuals through events, record label, magazine and workshops.
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM): Since 1882, ISM have been dedicated to promoting the importance of music and protecting the rights of those working in the music profession. They support over 10,000 members with unrivalled legal advice and representation, comprehensive insurance and specialist services. As well as working musicians, membership also includes part-time and full-time students and retired musicians. They campaign tirelessly in support of musicians’ rights, music education and the profession as a whole.
Launchpad: It offers opportunities and support for emerging artists, musicians, producers, bands, composers and music professionals in Yorkshire. Each year after signing up to Launchpad, multiple rounds of selected artists receive a variety of opportunities including tailored industry mentoring, funding, or project and performance opportunities. Applications to Launchpad usually open twice per year.
Leeds Music Trust: A charity that bridges gaps in accessibility and brings people together. They offer musical experiences for education and pleasure, for all ages and abilities.
Leeds Producer Forum (Facebook link): A community of Leeds producers and music makers who share ideas and processes through the legendary Cosmic Slop sound system. Cosmic Slop is MAP Charity’s regular in-house fundraising event, held in the Hope House Gallery. The events play host to some of the finest local selectors and internationally acclaimed DJs, playing records through the powerful custom built sound system.
Music Industry Yorkshire (MIY): They signpost to development opportunities for Yorkshire’s established and aspiring music industry professionals. Alongside masterclasses, mentoring sessions and expert-led panel events, MIY has delivered high-profile international events such as the Yorkshire Artists Stage at South by South West. You can register as a member (for free) on the MIY website to receive information about events with industry professionals, industry guidance, and opportunities. If you run a music business or service you can list this in the music business professionals listings.
Music:Leeds: Acts as a centralised point to support, develop, grow and promote music in the city across all levels, genres and cultures. They work with artists, musicians, organisations, funding bodies, the government, and national music industry bodies. They frequently create networking opportunities and signpost information on music in Leeds. Their website also includes a directory of bookable rehearsal studios in Leeds.
MMF (Music Managers Forum): The world’s largest professional community of music managers. Since its inception in 1992, the MMF has worked hard to educate, inform and represent UK managers, as well as offering a network through which managers can share experiences, opportunities and information. Our membership stands at over 850 managers based in the UK with global businesses and a wider network of over 2700 managers in the USA.
Paramount Music (instagram): Provides emerging artists with platforms and opportunities to develop dreams into careers! They aim to provide the city’s best new acts with exciting bills to showcase their talents.
Sound and Music: The UK’s national organisation for new music, and a charity. They offer a brilliant directory of opportunities for composers on their website which can be filtered by type, location and genre/interest.
Spitfire Audio: They make inspiring sounds and scoring tools for film, in collaboration with the world’s best composers, musicians and engineers. Their free online masterclasses are for anyone interested in learning how to master the basics of writing music for film, TV and video games. Each session is led by a different tutor from Spitfire’s team of composers (plus special guests) and will give you all the tools you need from developing your own creative voice to a detailed look into mixing and mastering.
Yorkshire Entertainment Awards (Facebook link): Created to recognise talent in Yorkshire across music, dance and film – they aim to connect the industries and acknowledge past and present talent.
Yorkshire Music Forum (YMF): They raise awareness of artist and music industry development opportunities in Yorkshire. Each year YMF hosts a Convention – a day featuring panels, a keynote speaker, and meet the experts sessions (admission is free).
Women in Music
Female:Pressure: An international database and support network of female and gender minority artists in electronic music and digital arts: from musicians, composers and DJs to visual artists, cultural workers and researchers. The database aims to strengthen networking, communication and representation. It includes almost 3,000 members from 79 countries.
Girls I Rate (GIR): We are a community of over 5000 female creatives. Our mission is to create good vibes, sisterhood, opportunities and gender balance for young women aged 16-30 in the music and entertainment industry. By joining the Girls I Rate (it’s free), you’ll be engaging with a like-minded community of female creatives to organise and partake in pushing for change and opportunities for young creatives. The community also involves group discussions, mentoring sessions, masterclasses, songwriting camps, GIR Radio, and GIR YouTube. Our group GIR BLK provides focused support for black female creatives age 16-30.
Loud Women: A group for all those who support putting women on stage, and turning up the volume. The global collective consists of musicians, promoters, organisers, and writers. They run an annual festival which has become the largest female-led festival in the UK – securing their position as the leading international showcase for female and non-binary alternative bands and artists. They also act as a record label and produce an e-zine with the latest music news.
Rebalance: A pioneering programme which provides five days’ studio recording time to a core female-identified band or artist each month, as well as a slot at a Festival Republic or Live Nation festival and numerous live events throughout the year. In addition, ReBalance supports women who want to work in sound engineering, stage management and production by offering apprenticeships.
Slut Drop (Facebook link): Twin aims of putting on some awesome new music and providing a platform for women in electronic music. They focus on promoting female, non-binary, BME and LGBTQ+ creatives.
The F-list: A database of UK female musicians, used by promoters and festival bookers. They have compiled a snapshot of over 300 UK labels with female artists in different genres. All these labels have signed female artists on their rosters and some have international artists. There are separate sheets for self-releasing UK artists, and for songwriters and composers signed to UK publishers.
Women Produce Music: An artist and producer led group that promotes and supports the activities of music-makers, producers and audio engineers. Our mission is to build a global network – one album and city at a time, opening doors to industry’s commercial possibilities and providing career progression opportunities through women-led networks, innovation art and technology.
Yorkshire Sound Women Network (YSWN): They run workshops in friendly, encouraging environments that include DJ-ing, live coding, Ableton, location recording, and soldering electronic instruments. They welcome women and people of non-binary genders, with their meetups a place for sharing skills and advice, finding mentors, making friends and building communities.
Courses in Leeds
Artforms: A music and arts service that works with children, young people, families and schools. They run musical instrument, singing and ensemble courses for all ages on Saturday mornings at venues across Leeds. Artforms also manage the City of Leeds Youth Music Orchestras (generally members are 13 – 18 years old).
Chapel FM: A community radio station and arts centre in East Leeds that host a wide range of events and writing festivals. On Chapel FM’s website you can find out about courses in music, radio, singing and more.
Cloth Cat: A Leeds music education charity supporting those at most disadvantage living in neglected parts of the city. Music, people, confidence building and empowerment are at the heart of their activities. Visit Cloth Cat’s website to find out about courses in electronic music production, guitar, singing, songwriting, and sound engineering.
Crossfader: An online DJ school and community whose courses are designed to help you get more creative and get the most out of your equipment. Visit Crossfader’s website to find out about courses covering everything from beginner DJ lessons to advanced tips and tricks, plus free tutorials.
DJ School UK: A Leeds not-for-profit company that provides accessible, engaging and educational DJ and music production tuition, projects and workshops. Visit DJ School UK’s website to find out about private DJ tuition, their DJ Club and projects.
Higher Rhythm: Based in Doncaster, they offer a HND course in Music Tech and Sound Engineering and BTEC courses in Music Technology or Creative Media Production. Additionally they run Arts Awards (a 12 session course in music technology or radio production) and a Professional Experience Programme (a 5 session programme with real industry volunteering opportunities). You can also sign up for Music Technology & Radio Tasters, where you meet the staff and tour the facilities.
Leeds Conservatoire: Visit Leeds Conservatoire’s website to find out about evening classes, weekend courses, workshops, summer schools and community ensembles.
Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Awards by Help Musicians UK: Students wanting to study Musical Theatre can apply for financial support of up to £5k, towards study and living costs. This support is for Musical Theatre students studying singing or musical direction who either want to complete their final year of undergraduate study, or want to undertake a postgraduate degree. To be eligible you must be in financial need and able to demonstrate that you have the musical potential and ambition to create a successful and sustainable career within the music industry. You must also be intending to study at one of the UK conservatoires or performing arts colleges in Help Musician UK’s list, (which includes Leeds Conservatoire).
MAP Charity (Music & Arts Production): An alternative education provider working with young people who are unable to access the mainstream school system. They offer BTEC qualifications in Creative Media and Art & Design to 11-16 year olds. Their education provision is positioned alongside the charity’s work with businesses and creative partners: from screen printing firms to musicians.
Melodies DJ Academy (Facebook link): DJ Miss Melodie set up her the Academy to encourage more females to enter DJing. The Academy host events and showcases, and run courses for males and females and at every level, from beginner to specialist.
Music Lab: Instrument tuition in piano, guitar, drums, saxophone and more. Singing tuition is also available. Online sessions take place via Zoom and Skype. Visit the Music Lab website to find out more about their tuition opportunities and fees.
Sybil Tutton Opera Awards by Help Musicians UK: Students who wish to study Opera can apply for financial support of up to £5k towards study and living costs for the next academic year. This support is for Opera students who are hoping to start a postgraduate degree, or move in to a second year of postgraduate study at one of the leading UK conservatoires listed in Help Musician UK’s guide, (which includes Leeds Conservatoire).
UK Music Apprenticeships: Their apprenticeships scheme has two simple objectives: to support music employers to hire committed, passionate apprentices and to help get talented people into paid music jobs. There are a broad range of music apprenticeships from live events and promotion to creative and digital media.
Performing / Promoters in Leeds
360 Club Leeds (Facebook link): Showcases the finest emerging live acts in Yorkshire, playing host to different genres and styles every week. Each gig is themed so the bands and sounds fit together and have a good musical flow. Visit the 360 Club on Facebook to find out more about their gigs and if there are opportunities for you to perform.
Some Panda Talking (Facebook link): Promoter of events held at Mabgate Bleach, an independent arts music venue and creative space in Leeds. Visit Some Panda Talking on Facebook to find out more about their events.
Black Music Festival (Instagram link): Europe’s biggest, free and annual open-air reggae concert at Potternewton Park, Leeds (formerly known as Leeds Reggae concert). Follow them on Instagram to keep track of what’s going on.
Brudenell Social Club: An award-winning and now legendary independent music venue based in Hyde Park, Leeds. One of Leeds’ longest running independent music venues and now a globally recognised brand – a destination for touring artists big and small. Their community hub also provides DIY promoters and bands/artists with a platform to promote their own events, alongside big-name gigs.
Clue Records: An independent Leeds DIY record label, podcaster and promoter. Visit Clue Record’s website to find out more about artists they work with, and submit your music for consideration to release with Clue Records.
Futuresound Group: A diverse music and events company located in the north of England with over 20 years’ experience in the music industry. They are always looking for local artists to add to the line-ups of upcoming shows across Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Yorkshire! Artists performing original music live can submit their music for consideration. Payment will be offered for all performances, the amount will vary per show.
Gold Sounds Festival (Instagram link): Takes place in May at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. New alternative music is showcased across two stages, over two days.
HiFi Club: One of the longest running Leeds clubs which hosts regular nights and showcases including DJs and live music across genres – such as breaks, dubstep, footwork, grime, hip hop, jazz, soul, afrobeat and disco.
Leeds Festival: Visit the Leeds Festival website to find out how to volunteer as a Campsite DJ.
Leeds West Indian Carnival: Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean carnival parade… The perfect blend of jaw-dropping costumes, infectious tropical rhythms, mouth watering food, Caribbean Culture and entertainment. Held annually on the last Monday in August – not to be missed. Visit Leeds West Indian Carnival’s website to find out more about the Carnival, and if there are opportunities to perform or volunteer.
Live at Leeds: An award-winning metropolitan music festival held annually across a variety of venues in Leeds, on May Bank Holiday. The Festival began in 2007 and since then our aim has always been to showcase the best new emerging artists alongside more established acts from around the world. 10,000 music fans, over 20 stages and 200 artists, who will you discover? Visit the Live at Leeds website for more information about the festival and to check if there are opportunities for you to perform.
Seven Arts: An independent arts space in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. A small but versatile space, providing a hundred-seat venue for film, theatre, dance, music, words and comedy.
Super Friendz: The promotion team behind events at Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall, This Must Be The Place and World Island festivals.
Wharf Chambers: A non-profit arts and events space in Leeds which also operates as a hub for the city’s LGBTQ+ community. It provides an inclusive and affordable space for music, art, film, politics and discussion that brings people together. You need to be a member or guest of a member to attend or host events.
Releasing / Airplay / Getting Paid
Amazing Radio: An international radio station first broadcast originally on digital radio in the United Kingdom. The station plays music by new and emerging artists across various genres including pop, rock, indie, hip hop, electronica and jazz. You can register for a free account which allows you to upload one of your tracks and one video link.
AWAL: An online platform which offers successful applicants the opportunity to be part of a global music community. AWAL provides digital distribution across over 200 territories. They also offer label management, project funding, sync and digital service provider support, and radio and PR services. They also operate their own record label.
Bandcamp: An online platform which enables artists to sell their self-releases and physical merchandise direct to fans. Unlike other platforms, it doesn’t put your music on other online stores (iTunes, etc). It’s is a stand-alone online store with a global community. Special feature: add a Bandcamp ‘Buy’ link to your SoundCloud.
BBC Music Introducing in West Yorkshire: Visit BBC Introducing’s website to upload your track and get yourself heard on radio!
Brace Yourself: London based independent music PR specialists in radio, print, online & brands. Visit the Brace Yourself website to find out more about their PR services and opportunities for airplay.
CD Baby: Provides digital and physical distribution services for albums and singles and sync licensing for TV, film, and games. CD Baby will get you on: iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music and more.
Come Play With Me: Starting out as a 7″ singles club in 2015, Come Play With Me Records has now developed to have a growing roster of artists alongside our Next Up North Artist Development programme and Side By Side compilation album.
Ditto: Keep 100% of your royalties. Ditto is an online music distribution company for 160 digital music stores including Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, VEVO, Apple Music, Beatport, Deezer and Shazam.
For the Lost: A West Yorkshire music PR company run by Simon Glacken. Visit the For the Lost website to find out more about the PR company and the artists they promote.
Futuresound Group: A reputable music promotions group based in Leeds. One of the largest independent live promoters in the North of the UK, hosting over 400 shows a year with artists from a variety of genres in venues from 100 capacity rooms to arena shows and large outdoor events.
Hanglands: A Leeds communications and events agency specialising in music, large events, hospitality and cultural projects. They work across press, marketing, social, content creation, event management, sponsorship, curation, consultancy and more. They work with new and established artists in addition to councils, festivals, bars, restaurants, and independent record labels.
Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC): Independent record label based in Hyde Park, Leeds, releasing the best in new music from jazz and beyond. Visit HPBC’s website to find out more about the label and artists they have worked with.
iMusician: Helps independent artist and labels to sell and monetize their music online through streams and downloads on online stores including iTunes, Deezer, Amazon, Beatport, Spotify, and more. They also take care of YouTube and Facebook monetization through Content ID, offering personalised support. Special feature: they offer an encrypted ‘music locker’ that will help you prove that music belongs to you.
LANDR: Keep 100% of your rights and royalties. LANDR gives you access to mastering and global distribution in one place. They release your music on over 250 platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play and Amazon. They also provide a dashboard to track your success and fan base, enabling you to make important decisions about your next moves as an artist. For example if you find you’ve a large fan base in a certain area, it may be time to book a tour.
Leeds Dance Community Radio Station 97.8FM: LDC Radio is a dance music radio station for West Yorkshire, broadcasting DAB in Leeds & Bradford and on 97.8FM across West Yorkshire.
Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS): They collect royalties on your behalf for works that are released by a record company, downloaded or reproduced onto a CD, DVD or LP. Visit the MCPS website to consider joining the Society if your works are used this way.
NTS Radio: Radio, video, events and creative projects. NTS Radio broadcasts underground music live from London, Manchester, Los Angeles and beyond. Visit NTS Radio’s website to find out about opportunities for airplay.
One Beat PR: A London & Sheffield based independent music PR company founded by Liv Willars, working with a variety of bands, artists, record labels and events.
PIAS: Champions and supports the best independent music in the world across their international network. As well as developing their own in-house roster of artists, they offer financial investment and resources to ensure that companies and their artists are given the best chance of global success. They provide a wide range of services from sales and distribution to promotion, marketing and digital analytics. In addition, their Artist and Label Services division has long standing relationships with some of the world’s finest independent labels.
PPL: The UK’s music licensing company for over 110,000 performers and recording rights holders. They’ve been licensing the use of recorded music in the UK since 1934 for radio stations, TV broadcasters and certain digital media services. They also license music suppliers to copy recorded music for services such as in store music systems, jukeboxes, compilations for exercise classes and in-flight entertainment systems.
PRS for Music: Music wouldn’t exist without the work of songwriters, composers and publishers. PRS represent them and ensure that they are rewarded for their creations by protecting and licensing music. They pay royalties to PRS members when their work is performed, broadcast, streamed, downloaded, reproduced, played in public or used in film and TV. They further support members by hosting awards and events, and investing in new technology to ensure we’re fit for the digital music age.
Record Union: Global digital distribution services for all major online platforms including Tidal, Juno Download and Beatport. Through a partnership with Sony Music, Record Union offers artist opportunities that will help you get heard. Special Record Union feature: their upgraded Discovery Tool gives your music more visibility. They’re also among the only distributors to offer distribution on Juno Download.
Released: Record label, music publisher and independent record shop. They are a new one stop music publisher with a multiplying collection of music spanning electronic, soul, jazz, psychedelic, rockabilly and more. Most of their music comes from artists based in Leeds. Visit the Released website to find out more about their label and publishing services.
Release Radio: They showcase the very best UK dance music, tailored towards listeners who crave something that isn’t being covered by mainstream stations.
Resonance FM: Resonance is a ground breaking 24/7 London radio station which broadcasts to central London, Greater London, nationally and also live streamed to the rest of the world. Realised by a dedicated community of volunteer engineers and programme-makers, Resonance offers over 105 creative broadcast series every week featuring local and international artists, makers and experts. Resonance seeks to discover, encourage and support a diverse range of artistic voices through radio – from first-timers to seasoned broadcasters.
RinseFM: Rinse has dominated London’s radio airwaves for 20 years showcasing the capital’s thriving urban music community. They also act as a record label and release albums and singles from a roster of signed artists, plus mix CDs from the station DJs.
Sable Radio (Facebook link): An independent non-profit Leeds radio station. They act as an open, responsive platform that not only broadcasts the best music but also draws on the broader arts practises and discussions taking place in the city. Visit their Facebook page for more info, or get in touch at hello@sablestudio.co
Sentric Music: A British independent music publisher specialising in emerging songwriters and artists. Sentric put songwriters and artists first, offering the fairest publishing deal in the music industry. If your music is performed live, streamed, played on the radio or used on YouTube Sentric gives you control to collect your royalties globally from one portal, with no upfront fees.
Symphonic: They distribute physically and digitally worldwide. They cover music marketing, licensing and publishing needs. A special feature – Symphonic gets your music on Beatport, especially good for electronic projects.
Tunecore: Keep 100% of the sales revenue from the music you distribute. Tunecore gets you worldwide digital distribution for albums, singles and ringtones. It also gives you a Music Publishing Administration pack that allows you to get royalties and syncs – their statistics are among the best to track how your releases are selling. TuneCore will get you on: iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play, YouTube Music and more.
Talent Development Schemes / Funding
Awards for Young Musicians (AYM): For ages 17 and under. AYM offers individual grants of up to £2k per annum to exceptional young musicians whose families are on a lower income. This funding can be used towards musical costs (such as tuition, instrument costs, equipment or travel) and is offered in conjunction with individual support to cater to personal circumstances, such as mentoring, access to workshops, free concert tickets and performance opportunities. AYM encourages applications from young musicians playing any musical genre, from Western classical music and jazz to electronic and pop. Deadlines are rolling, so you can apply at any time.
Finzi Trust Grants: They provide grants to musicians age under 25. Grants may be used for music performance, music publication, books on music, music festivals, and furthering musical education (excluding full time courses). Eligible candidates must demonstrate commitment, ability and genuine financial need. Financial support is not given for postgraduate study, undergraduate study, subsistence or school fees. Limited funds are available for grants of a modest size. The deadlines are twice per year, usually in February and September.
MMF (Music Managers Forum) Music Managers Accelerator Programme: MMF are the world’s largest professional community of music managers. The Accelerator programme (supported by YouTube Music and Arts Council England) is the world’s first independent funding and professional development programme designed solely for artists, songwriters and producer managers. It aims to increase the number of sustainable full-time management businesses operating in the UK, empowering them to work with a greater range of creative talent. Accelerator provides support, training, and finance for UK managers of all genres who are in full or part-time employment, and looking to work full-time with their own company.
Nicholas Boas Charitable Trust: The Trust supports young musicians at the start of their careers with particular projects such as attending masterclasses, travelling to auditions, making initial recordings, commissioning new work etc.
PPL Momentum Accelerator Fund: Many music creators show strong musical potential but are unable to capitalise upon this due to financial barriers, gaps in regional infrastructure, knowledge, advice, and access to industry platforms. PPL Momentum Accelerator’s long term approach supports the development of these outstanding artists and bands outside of London who struggle to reach a crucial career tipping points, and with partners provide support for a number of future industry professionals such as managers, promoters, record labels, music publishers, booking agents, supporting sustainable regional scenes across the UK. Grants of up to £5k can support projects by songwriters, artists, bands, and performers who are writing their own music based in Yorkshire and Liverpool City Region. You can spend the money on: recording and release, live Performance / touring, promotion and marketing, collaboration fees, education / training, commissioning, and more. Eligibility:
● Are you an artist/band based in an Accelerator region (Yorkshire* or Liverpool City Region)?
● Do you write or perform your own music?
● Have you been profiled or featured in regional or national press, media and received coverage in blogs as an artist/band?
● Have you played shows or been asked to play multiple shows across your region?
● Do you have evidence of a strong fan base regionally?
● Are you making your first steps in getting national interest or already gaining some national attention?
● Do you have early signs of interest and/or working informally with other music professionals or organisations? (e.g. management, record label, booking agent, press)
To find out more about the Momentum Accelerator Fund visit PRS Foundation’s website.
PRS Foundation: They exist to help bring new music to life. The UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, since 2000 they have awarded more than £35m to over 7,000 new music projects. Visit the PRS website to find out more and about their wide range of funding opportunities.
PRS Foundation’s Composers’ Fund: An opportunity for composers with a strong track record, giving direct access to funding at pivotal stages in their career. £10k is available to composers who are already making a significant cultural contribution in the UK and have the potential for greater impact in the UK and overseas. Managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with Jerwood Arts, the Composers’ Fund supports up to 15 composers per year who can make the case for the kind of support that would enable them to make a significant step change in their career. Previous projects have included recordings, the promotion and performance of existing works, international co-commissions and development, performer collaboration, residencies, sabbaticals or childcare costs and project or promotional support.
PRS Foundation – Open Fund for Music Creators:The fund supports the development of outstanding songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career. The fund can support projects by songwriters, composers, or artists, bands, producers and performers who are writing their own music or commissioning others (projects must have a start and end date). The Open Fund for Music Creators offers grants of up to £5k. You can spend the money on:
• Creation of new music
• Music Creator fee (to cover your time and work)
• Touring and live performances
• Recording and release
• Creative residency costs
• Fees to creative collaborators
• Promotion and marketing (when there is also an element of creation and/or performance)
Visit the PRS Foundation website to find out more about The Open Fund for Music Creators and to apply.
PRS Foundation – Women Make Music Fund: Funding of up to £5k is available to support the development of outstanding women, trans & non binary songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career. The fund can support projects by women, trans and non-binary songwriters, composers, artists, bands and performers who are writing their own music. You can spend the money on:
• Creation of new music
• Music Creator fee (to cover your time and work)
• Touring and live performances featuring new UK music
• Recording and release
• Creative residency costs
• Fees to creative collaborators
• Promotion and marketing (when there is also an element of creation and/or performance)
86% Of applicants to Women Make Music are first time applicants and we want to encourage people who might otherwise not apply for funding to do so. Visit the PRS Foundation website to find out more about the Women Make Music Fund and to check when applications next reopen.
Richard Antwi Scholarship: It champions Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in music business. Supported by all three UK major record labels, music publishers, and several of the top independent music companies and music law firms, the scholarship is awarded in conjunction with the Music Business Management MA at the University of Westminster. Based in the heart of London, the Music Business Management MA and the Richard Antwi Scholarship bridge academic study in music industries research, with the professional world of music business.
RPS (Royal Philharmonic Society) Composers Programme: Establishing yourself as a professional composer is rarely easy. Annually, the Royal Philharmonic Society Composers programme aims to transform the prospects of promising composers. Besides offering a commission (£2k) – performed with one of a range of noted ensembles, venues and festivals – we support a cohort of composers taking critical steps towards establishing their careers, and equip them with the skills and confidence to seek further commissions and performances of their own beyond the programme. We do this through a year-long range of sessions and activities, including the opportunity to meet and draw insights from key figures in the music business and professional composers, workshops to develop skills that will enable you to promote yourself and your music, as well as individual sessions looking at your own personal objectives that we will help you to fulfil.
RPS (Royal Philharmonic Society) Drummond Lockyer Fund for Dance: We are pleased to offer grants of up to £25,000. Recognising the increasing challenge and expense of staging dance with live music, we hope this grant will enable practitioners to activate plans that may not otherwise have been possible, making a difference to their progress and profile. Who can apply: UK-based professional dance artists, choreographers, companies, festivals or venues with at least two years’ standing, looking to commission a composer to write new music for performance that will involve live instrumental musicians or singers. Alternatively, the application can come from a composer so long as they have plans and performance outcomes taking shape with a choreographer and dancers. Applicants should express why a project like this will have worth for themselves and/or their company and their audience, and what they hope to achieve with it that they have not previously. The composer may be an emerging or established artist but must have some proven acumen for writing music of character and distinction for live instruments or singers. If you would like to undertake a project like this but would like our help suggesting and introducing a composer with whom you could collaborate, we are happy to chat. How the grant be used: We recognise that all practitioners are different. Some may simply value the means to pay a composer to write music for them. Others might want to devote some initial funds to research and development, so a composer and choreographer can experiment and test new ground together, before embarking on a piece. Others may need help to hire musicians and stage the ensuing performances, or capture it digitally to share with wider audiences. In your application, you should give us a picture of all your major project costs, how you would like to assign the RPS Drummond Fund’s support to these, and where you intend to find the remaining funds.
Royal Society of Musicians: Since 1738 they have continuously supported those in need. They recognise the precarious nature of the freelance musician who rarely enjoys the benefits of sickness schemes and pensions and that a few weeks out of work due to accident or illness could have serious consequences for musicians and their families. All applications to the Society are considered in confidence. Help may be offered in many ways, whether it be living expenses, rehabilitation, counselling, referrals to specialised practitioners, or consultations with financial advisors. In some circumstances, ongoing long-term financial support is offered to retired or frail musicians, as well as those with debilitating illness.
Stephen Oliver Award: The Stephen Oliver Award is now awarded every other year to a young composer who has written a work for music theatre to assist with the cost of bringing that work to performance. The Award is up to £5,000. The Award will be made to assist with the cost of bringing to performance a work which has been, or is in the process of being, written for music theatre. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that a performance is in prospect. There is no set application form. The applicant should submit by email a copy of the score and libretto to which the application relates (and links to recordings if available) together with other examples of the applicant’s work. In addition, the applicant should provide, also by email, detailed estimates of costings for bringing the work to production, together with an account of progress made in accessing other sources of funding and possible realisation dates.
Youth Music NextGen Fund: It offers young creatives grants of up to £2,500 to make their ideas happen. We’ve launched the NextGen Fund to help emerging musicians and behind the scenes creatives take a step forward in participating and changing the music industries. Built for creatives with a stack of ideas but a lack of finance, the fund is open to 18–25-year olds (and under 30s who identify as Disabled). Successful applicants will use the money to launch a creative project, idea or business. We want to support the future of the music industries. Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, Producers, DJs, A&Rs, Managers and Agents, right through to roles that have yet to be defined. We would especially like to hear from people who have never applied for funding before. This fund is about supporting people to take their first steps into the music industries. You can apply to develop a project that you can run and deliver yourself. Examples:
● A creative music project: a Single, EP or contribution towards an album campaign. The music can be already made or in the process of being created.
● A music-based business: starting a record label or music platform.
● A platform that supports underrepresented voices and perspectives:
● Supporting leaders that build communities and help facilitate others in pursuing their creative goals
As well as funding time for you to pursue your idea, we can also cover costs linked to:
● Career development – training, mentoring and networking
● Audience development or marketing
● Equipment and Software
● Business development
All projects need to be released within a year of being awarded the funds, and ideas that aren’t accessible to the general public cannot be funded. For example, it couldn’t fund a training course with no project outcome.
Jobs
Search the Association of Independent Music (AIM) website for jobs in music and marketing
Search Art Council England’s website for creative jobs in arts and culture
Search the Doors Open website for jobs in electronic music
Visit the Little Concert website to list your availability to perform gigs
Search the Live Nation website for jobs in live entertainment, including clubs and festivals
Search the Mandy Music Professionals website for music jobs
Search the Music Publishers Association website for jobs in music and marketing, events and more
Search the Music Business Worldwide website for jobs in the music business
Search the Music Market website for jobs in music, film, TV, games, advertising and more
Search the PPL website for music business related jobs
Search the PRS for Music website for jobs that license, protect and support music
Search the Sony Music UK website for music business related jobs
Search the Universal Music website for music business related jobs
Search the Warner Music website for music business related jobs