Deadline: 7-Oct-22
The Youth Music is seeking applications for its NextGen Fund.
The Youth Music NextGen Fund is for early-stage musicians and wider music adjacent creatives to invest in their own projects and make their ideas happen. The fund is especially aimed at those whose lack of finance holds them back from pursuing their goals.
They want to support the future of the music industries. Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, Producers, DJs, A&Rs, Managers and Agents, right through to roles that have yet to be defined.
The Next Gen Fund intends to help young people build confidence in applying for funding, project planning and execution. They especially would like to hear from people who have never applied for funding before.
Funding Information
Amount: up to £2,500
What is this fund for?
- This fund is designed to help emerging artists and professionals develop the skills needed to participate in the fast-moving music industries. Modern creatives are having to be more versatile than ever, and they want to see young people challenging themselves to adapt to the modern climate. This could be developing skills like video editing, graphic design, coding alongside their artistic venture.
- You can apply to develop a project that you can run and deliver mostly yourself. Here are some examples of ideas:
- A creative music project: a Single, EP or contribution towards an album campaign. The music can be already made or in the process of being created. Most of the applications they receive are for EP’s. They aren’t against you doing them, but they want to see creative approaches into how you make, release, and promote them. Giving a clear explanation of why you are choosing the format you work in is also helpful, it may relate to where you are in your journey, or a personal creative challenge. Telling us about what you have released so far will help us understand why you are taking the next steps you are.
- A music-based business: starting a record label or music platform.
- A platform that supports underrepresented voices and perspectives: supporting leaders that build communities and help facilitate others in pursuing their creative goals.
- An event or series of events showcasing other emerging artists: they want to support new promoters and help new artists gain experience performing on stage.
Eligibility Criteria
People working towards a career in the music industries, but lack key contacts, resources, and insights. They might be:
- Musicians, Producers, Engineers, DJs, MCs, Rappers, Songwriters.
- Managers, Promoters, A&Rs, Agents.
- Activists and campaigners who are transforming the music industries.
- In their funding decisions, they will prioritise:
- People who do not have the financial means to invest in themselves to get their ideas started.
- People that are too early stage to be funded by larger grant programmes like Arts Council England and PRS Foundation.
- Those who might be discriminated against, for reasons that could include Gender, Race, Disability, location, or other characteristics.
- People who are creative, entrepreneurial and are multi-disciplinary – even if they don’t recognise themselves as such.
For more information, visit https://youthmusic.org.uk/nextgen/nextgen-fund