PRS Foundation launches new fund for early career music promoters
Florence Lockheart
Friday, April 12, 2024
The new initiative, supported by Arts Council England and DCMS, offers support for programming and promoting concerts
PRS Foundation has today announced the launch of a fund designed to support early career music promoters in England. In partnership with Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the new Early Career Promoter Fund aims to support ‘grassroots music ecosystems’.
Grants of up to £3,500 will be available through the Early Career Promoter Fund to support the booking, programming and promotion of concerts, showcases, tours and other performances with funds available to help with the costs of venue hire, production and crew as well as to help emerging promoters build their skills.
PRS Foundation CEO Joe Frankland said, ‘The grassroots music sector plays a crucial role in bolstering scenes and developing talent while driving the economic, cultural and social success of music nationally. We’re delighted to manage the Early Career Promoter Fund in partnership with Arts Council England and DCMS to offer funding and capacity building support to hundreds of independent promoters who – alongside venues, festivals, artists and crews – will help to build a more robust and diverse live music sector. We’re looking forward to see who applies and to supporting exciting music events across England.’
Managed by PRS Foundation and funded by Arts Council England using Supporting Grassroots Music funding from DCMS, the Early Career Promoter Fund is expected to produce promoters who able to step up to book and promote talent at a scale beyond their current level. The scheme also aims to help address underrepresentation in music by ‘ensuring support reaches a diverse range of promoters’ and encouraging grantees to embrace a diverse range of music.
Applications for the new grant open on 2 May 2024 and are available through the PRS Foundation website. The first deadline for submissions is 13 June, with further monthly deadlines publicised on the PRS Foundation website. All funding decisions will be delivered within 6-8 weeks of each deadline.
