Funding Resources
Below are some funds and funders that are available to you as a northern artist or promoter. If you need support to apply you can contact us for a bookable 1:1 advice session HERE.
Help with funding applications
If you would like us to look over an application you are working on please get in touch. Please remember to allow a 4 week turnaround time to give us time to review your draft.
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Arts Council England (ACE) is the biggest funder of arts activity; to apply you will need to register on Grantium, their bespoke applications portal, and you’re advised to read their Let’s Create strategy.
Arts Council England, National Lottery Project Grants (under £30k)
NLPG is for “projects that support and engage people with creativity and culture” such as gigs, tours, commissions, programmes and festivals. Basically, work that engages the public. Deadlines are rolling, the decision time is currently 12 weeks and you can apply for up to £30k. Make sure you read the guidance thoroughly for your best chance of success.
See blog post & video: https://www.jazznorth.org/news/ace-funding-deep-dive
Arts Council England, National Lottery Project Grants (over £30k)
The over £30k grant is for the same activities as under £30k. The decision time is 14 weeks, applications contain extra sections and are more scrutinised, and you require a greater level of experience to secure this funding.
Arts Council England, Developing Your Creative Practice (up to £10k)
DYCP is for: developing & testing ideas, research & development (R&D), experimenting with new collaborators, international travel to explore other practice or work with mentors, professional development, making your work more sustainable and similar projects which develop you as a creative practitioner. There are c. 3 specific deadlines across the year, you can apply for between £2k and £12k, and decision time is 12 weeks.
Arts Council England, Supporting Grassroots Music (up to £40k)
SGM is for venues, festivals and promoters, recording studios and rehearsal spaces as well as sector bodies operating in grassroots music. There are 10 deadlines a year, you can apply for up to £40k and the decision time is 12 weeks.
THE PRSF FOUNDATION (PRSF)
The PRS Foundation (PRSF) is the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development. Although they run a number of initiatives and funding schemes, these are their two main funds:
The Open Fund for Music Creators
This fund supports the development of outstanding music creators of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career, with grants of up to £5000. For example, musicians writing new original music to compose, record and tour.
This fund supports the development of outstanding women, trans and non-binary songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career. The fund can support songwriters, composers, artists, bands and performers who are writing their own music.
Deadlines for both are staggered throughout the year.
Help Musicians & various small grants
Help Musicians has several grants available for the development of an artists’ work and career including the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. They also support musicians’ wellbeing and have a mental health support helpline called Music Minds Matter. Grants are available to record and release, study, develop your skills and grow your career.
Besides the main funders listed above, there are lots of adhoc funds available from funders and talent developers around the UK. A great way to find out about opportunities is to sign up to the organisations’ mailing lists, especially those with a good track record of posting artist opportunities such as Launchpad (Music:Leeds) and Generator.
Jazz North Templates for Download
