The PRS for Music Foundation has launched new Flash Funding opportunity – The Performance Fund – offering targeted support to aspiring perfomers and bands, with a one week turn-around from application to decision, returns with a new opportunity
The PRS for Music Foundation has teamed up with Wigwam Acoustics and the Musicians’ Union to create The Performance Fund to offer bespoke monitoring and touring support to advance artists’ live career. From 6 April until 23:59 on 8 April 2016, music creators can apply to The Performance Fund to be on of four emerging UK artists and bands to access bespoke monitoring packages (such as in-ear monitoring, microphones, control systems) worth up to £10,000 to ensure consistently great sound across live dates, plus advice and training on touring, promotional support and an additional £375 for touring costs.
This edition of Flash Funding recognises that the costs of touring for emerging musicians are not always being met by live income streams. In offering financial tour support, The Performance Fund will fast-track careers at a crucial early stage – ensuring tours are as effective as possible. Additional mentoring and training ensures selected artists make the most of opportunities to build links with fans, promoters and venues across the UK. On top of financial support, the fund ensures consistently great sound across live dates.
Artists will need to submit two musical examples and a three-minute video answering basic questions about their live dates. Further details and information on eligibility are also available. The deadline for submissions is 8 April at 23:59. Once the deadline has passed, an industry panel will pick the qualifying artists from a shortlist of the applicants, and the successful grantees will be publicly announced on 18 April.
‘Following the huge demand for our first Flash Fund, we’re pleased to announce this new opportunity for artists and bands that helps to ensure exceptional live sound while offering financial support and crucial advice,’ says Joseph Frankland, Senior Grants and Programmes Manager, PRS for Music Foundation. ‘We’re excited to partner with Wigwam Acoustics and The MU and look forward to receiving many great video applications before the weekend.’
‘As has been proven time and again for Wigwam Acoustics and across the whole of the touring fraternity, hands-on development from the outset remains key to both our success and the continued success of our touring clients,’ says Joel Perry, Wigwam Acoustics, Concert Touring Manager. ‘The Performance Flash Fund, coupled with the vast experience of the three organisations, will provide artists with a bespoke, professional touring audio system application, employed by today’s top performers.’
‘Artists rely on gigs and tours to grow their fan base and develop their music, but too often the cost of touring can make it prohibitively tough for musicians,’ adds Kelly Wood, Musicians’ Union’s Live Performance Official. ‘It’s important that touring remains viable and that artists are supported as they perform across the great circuit of UK live music venues. The Performance Flash Fund is an exciting and valuable award for gigging artists, and demonstrates how support can be provided by the industry, financially and otherwise.’
