Jazz Services has received the following press release from PRS for Music Foundation, with information on another significant funding initiative for artists and bands in 2013.
See the full press release below:
PRS for Music Foundation selected to deliver new MUSIC INDUSTRY TALENT DEVELOPMENT FUND on behalf of Arts Council England.
PRS for Music Foundation is excited to announce that it has been selected by Arts Council England to manage and deliver the new MUSIC INDUSTRY TALENT DEVELOPMENT FUND – the first fund of its kind in the UK – which will inject more than £500,000 into the music industry over the next two years.
The fund has been set up to provide vital financial support which will help talented artists and bands to take their career to another level. Grants of up to £15k will be available, supporting emerging and mid career artists to develop their recording, writing, performing and touring ambitions.
PRSF is contributing £50k to the scheme, and will work in partnership with other influential music industry bodies (to be announced in the coming months) to maximise resources available to the broad range of musicians who might benefit from this fund.
Inspired by examples of other countries’ support for their contemporary and popular music industries, Arts Council England Chief Executive Alan Davey, said: “It’s the Arts Council’s job to champion the arts in its many varied forms and for all the arts that means supporting the talent who make it happen. Given the current tough economic climate this job is as important as ever.
“Changes in the financial environment means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for talent to find the right kind of investment at the right time to allow them to get to the stage of making a living from creating and performing music. That’s what this fund is all about – I’m passionate about talent that has something to say being able to say it and be heard. This fund is the beginning of something that I hope will grow, and that we will learn from.
“It’s great being able to develop this programme in partnership PRS for Music Foundation and in a small way to help the music industry in this country – and the talent that drives it – to remain as strong and vibrant as ever.”
Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of PRS for Music Foundation, said: “As the UK's leading funder of new music and the songwriters who create it, we're proud to be delivering and contributing to this crucial talent development fund. Arts Council England has shown a real understanding of the music industry's current challenges by making new investment available to talented solo artists and bands who need financial support to break through to the next level. We're looking forward to using our 12 years experience as a music industry funder and our extensive network of industry partners, experts, talented songwriters and musicians to ensure that this fund has a tangible and lasting impact.”
The Music Industry Talent Development Fund will be launched to the public in May. More details will be published on our website www.prsformusicfoundation.com over the coming months.
For more information about the Music Industry Talent Development Fund please contact Tamara Salhab at Arts Council England - tamara.salhab@artscouncil.org.uk / 020 79736890.
For more information about PRS for Music Foundation please contact Sarah Thirtle sarah@prsformusicfoundaiton.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About PRS for Music Foundation
PRS for Music Foundation is the UK's leading funder of new music across all genres. Since 2000 PRS for Music Foundation has given more than £14 million to over 4,250 new music initiatives by awarding grants and leading partnership programmes that support music sector development. Widely respected as an adventurous and proactive funding body, PRS for Music Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity – including British Music Abroad, a music export scheme run in partnership with UKTI, ACE and Musicians Union, for bands attending showcases overseas.
About Arts Council England
The Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2011 and 2015, we will invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £1 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
