Grant Funding
Lesson time: (2min 41sec)
Where to find grants - money you don't pay back - for your music, from UK bodies like the PRS Foundation, Help Musicians and the Arts Council, and how to weigh their criteria.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Music Business 101 for Artists
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Finding Grants as a Young Artist
So as a young artist, if you are looking for grants, you should really start by focusing on three main organizations:
- PRS for Music Foundation
- Help Musicians UK
- Arts Council
Regional Arts Councils
It's important to note that the Arts Council in England is just one organization. There are also similar organizations for:
- Northern Ireland
- Wales
- Scotland
These are great starting points because all of these organizations have open schemes and are well-established. They've been around for a long time, and I believe they are here to stay.
Additional Resources
In addition to the main organizations, there are many smaller trusts and foundations you can research online. One useful directory is the Directory of Social Change, which lists all the grant-making trusts in the UK. You can access this directory at your local library.
Understanding Grants
A grant essentially is money that you don't have to pay back, which is fantastic for funding non-profit artistic projects or career development that you cannot support solely through commercial sales.
Organizations that provide grants typically seek something in return for their funding. They usually have aims and objectives that their trustees must consider when determining who to give grants to. Therefore, it's crucial for artists to understand the specific requirements and interests of grant-giving organizations.
Aligning with Grant Objectives
Sometimes, these organizations may wish to:
- Reach a particular audience
- Support specific genres of music
If you apply to a grant-giving body with an idea that doesn't align with their focus, you could be disappointed with the outcome.
Research and Prepare
I recommend checking all the information available on the grant-making trust's organizational page. Typically, you'll find:
- Guidelines
- Examples of previously funded projects
This information will help you assess your eligibility and understand how to fill out the application form.
Seek Guidance
Additionally, don't hesitate to speak with someone at the organization before submitting your application. They can offer invaluable advice and guidance regarding your eligibility and whether your project is suitable.
While they may not review your draft application in detail, they can provide helpful insights. The Arts Council, in particular, offers a dedicated helpline for this purpose, as they are a large organization.
About the instructor
Imogen Heap is a Grammy-winning English singer, songwriter, producer and technologist whose influence runs through two decades of pop, electronic and film music — and through much of the technology modern artists now take for granted. Born in London in 1977 and classically trained on piano, cello and clarinet, she released her debut album 'iMegaphone' in 1998 before forming the duo Frou Frou with producer Guy Sigsworth, whose song 'Let Go' reached a global audience through the film Garden State. Her self-written, self-produced album 'Speak for Yourself' (2005) delivered 'Hide and Seek', the a cappella landmark that later powered Jason Derulo's chart-topping 'Whatcha Say' and Ariana Grande's 'Goodnight n Go', and continues to find new generations of listeners. 'Ellipse' (2009) won the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical — recorded and engineered in her own home studio — and she went on to co-write and produce 'Clean' on Taylor Swift's Album of the Year-winning '1989'. She also composed the score for the stage play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'. A relentless innovator, Heap developed the MI.MU gestural gloves — recognised with three honorary doctorates — and founded Mycelia and The Creative Passport, initiatives building a fairer data ecosystem for artists. In 2024 she returned with 'What Have You Done to Me?', created with her AI vocal alter ego Mogen, while a viral resurgence of 'Headlock' brought her music to millions of new fans. read more