A Promoter Bursary to Support Live Emerging Talent 

Applying for the scheme

This scheme is to support those working at grassroots level - by this we mean venues and promoters not in receipt of regular funding (e.g. NPO or local authority grants) above £5000 a year. 

Promoters receiving project funding (e.g. NLPG or DYCP) are still eligible to apply. However, if your activity takes place in a venue which is an ACE NPO, or if you are working within a broader existing programme of activity that is funded through an NPO, you will not be able to also apply to New Northern for your activity. This is because ACE would view this situation as ‘double funding’. To find out whether a venue or organisation is currently an NPO, please see this list. If you are unsure, please contact us before applying. 

New Northern bursaries can be spent on programming and associated costs to help programmers develop emerging jazz artists as part of their ongoing programme.

By ‘emerging artists’, we mean artists that:

• Haven’t yet completed a substantial tour of more than 3 dates

• Haven’t performed at a major festival 

• Haven’t performed a headline show yet 

• Haven’t performed outside their home city yet 

• Are likely to have been in existence for between 6 and 18 months 

The choice of artists is up to the programmer applying, although certain criteria will apply:

• Everyone performing must be over 18 

• The bandleader and at least 51% of the band members must be based in the North* 

All programmers are eligible to apply: voluntary or professional, small clubs, festivals or venues, and any type of constituted body: sole traders, co-operatives, partnerships, unincorporated associations, charities or limited companies. This fund is not intended for artists to programme their own projects. We understand that many artists are also promoters; such applicants are welcome to apply for programmes that feature other artists.

In addition, to be eligible for this scheme you must: 

• Be over 18 

• Be based in the North of England*

• Not be a recipient of the last round of New Northern funding (25-26)

• Be delivering a live music programme to a live audience in the North that includes, or aspires to include, jazz

• Have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months, or for 5 editions if applying for the £3k festival bursary

• Not be in receipt of regular funding over £5000 per year

• Not have already begun your activity (the fund cannot support events that have already taken place)

* Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, County Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear, Yorkshire & Humber (North and North East Lincolnshire)

** If you were supported by New Northern in 2025-6, you can apply as a festival for this current round. You will be asked to outline how your 2026-7 supported activity will be additional or different to your 2025-6 activity.” 

At least 50% of your total budget must support performance fees and expenses for northern jazz artists. Examples of other subsidised activity (less than 50% of the total budget) could include any of the following:

• Production costs

• Marketing

• Essential equipment and repair costs 

• Membership of trade bodies and networks (e.g. Jazz Promotion Network) 

For example, you might apply for: £750 artist fees to cover 2 support acts in your programme. Your remaining £250 might contribute towards: repairing an amp, social media ads and a sound engineer fee. 

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