PRS Foundation opens new rounds of its targeted PPL Momentum support for artists based in Yorkshire and the Liverpool City Region
PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, announces that its PPL Momentum Accelerator fund, is open again for talented artists in Yorkshire and the Liverpool City Region.
In partnership with Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Music:Leeds / Music Local’s “Launchpad” and Arts Council England, PPL Momentum Accelerator grant support of up to £5,000 will be available for two artists from each region. Artists from both regions can find out more information and apply via PRS Foundation’s website here. The deadline to submit applications is 13th September 2021 at 6pm.
PPL Momentum Accelerator funding supports exciting artists with a growing fanbase and who are working to establish a music industry team. The full PPL Momentum Music Fund is for artists with a team already in place and at a tipping point, ready to take the next step in their careers. The next deadline for the PPL Momentum Music Fund support is 1st September 2021 at 6pm. Applications can be made via the PRS Foundation website.
Additionally, one artist from the Liverpool City Region will receive up to £15,000 of full PPL Momentum Music Fund support in this upcoming round, and up to five industry professionals based in Liverpool will be supported through a PPL Momentum Accelerator ‘Future Industry Professional’ strand, with each receiving up to £1,000 worth of support.
Kwame Safo, Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry Funds) at PRS Foundation said: “Its so important that targeted support is available to the many talented artists situated in different parts of the UK, to enhance the musical infrastructure in those regions. We’re delighted that through our partnerships we are able to bring our PPL Momentum Accelerator support directly to where talent is based. I’m realy looking forward to seeing who applies and the impact it will have on the selected grantees’ careers and the people around them.”
Sarah Mitchell, Director of Membership and Communications at PPL, said: “It’s brilliant to see another round of PPL Momentum Accelerator funding be made available. The grants paid out in previous rounds have not only helped emerging artists record new music and reach new fanbases, but have also given them the confidence to build successful careers. We hope this latest round of funding will continue to encourage the next generation of UK talent.”
Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music. Culture Liverpool said, “We are delighted that thanks to Strategic Investment Fund through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority we are able to work with PRS Foundation on this PPL Momentum programme which will be of huge benefit to a number of artists and future industry professionals in the Liverpool City Region. The City Region Music Board have identified talent development as a priority area and this well-regarded national programme fits well with the excellent talent development initiatives that already exist locally and which aim to be accessible to communities across the whole of the Liverpool City Region.”
Samuel (Whiskas) Nicholls, Founder & Director of Music:Leeds said, “We are really pleased to have secured the funding and partnerships to enable further rounds of the PPL Momentum Accelerator fund to be delivered and bring the opportunity of transformative support to artists in the region. The six previous recipients have gone from strength to strength, and this fund provides a vital steppingstone that builds on the existing support through our Launchpad programme for emerging artists and industry professionals throughout Yorkshire.”
Sarah Maxfield, Director, North at Arts Council England said, “We’re delighted once again to be contributing to the PRS Foundation PPL Momentum Accelerator fund in partnership with Music:Leeds’ Launchpad, which is now running its third round of funding for artists based in Yorkshire. The fund, alongside the Liverpool City Region’s edition of the initiative, will help support musicians and industry professionals across the country kickstart and develop their creative careers, which is especially needed during these challenging times created by the pandemic. This investment will help local artists gain valuable insight and ultimately contribute towards the wider music ecology in the UK.”
Managed by PRS Foundation, the PPL Momentum Music Fund initiative awards grants of £5,000-£15,000 using funds from PRS Foundation, PPL, Creative Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. Spotify, the official digital partner on the fund, contributes additional funding and a reward package containing exciting promotional opportunities and a close working relationship between Momentum artists and the Spotify team.
From April 2013-March 2020 (Years 1-7), Momentum supported 390 artists and invested over £3.74m into new music. Based on the 5 Years of Momentum Report (2013-18), this means Momentum has:
- Supported more than 225 albums
- Over 260 UK Tours and over 1,400 live dates
- Generated over £18m for the UK music industry and UK economy.
PRS Foundation and Arts Council England initiated The Momentum Music Fund in 2013. Arts Council England originally established the need for this specific fund and supported the programme from 2013-18.
For a full rundown of all the artists supported so far see: http://prsfoundation.com/funding/momentum-music-fund/momentum-artists.
Listen to the latest Momentum supported artists on the Spotify Momentum playlist here.
