prs foundation flagship funding scheme renamed the ppl momentum music fund
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PRS Foundation’s flagship funding scheme, the Momentum Music Fund, has been renamed the PPL Momentum Music Fund, reflecting a closer partnership between the music licensing company, PPL, and the charity in supporting new music. The newly named PPL Momentum Music Fund – which has helped nurture the careers of some of the brightest talents in the UK such as Years and Years, Kate Tempest, Ms Banks, Sam Fender, Anna Calvi, Novelist and Moses Boyd – will continue to provide career-boosting grants of £5,000 to £15,000 to artists at a pivotal point in their development.

The Momentum Music Fund began in 2013 and offers grants four times a year to enable talented UK artists take that vital next step in their careers, be it through recording an album, touring, or marketing and promotion.

PPL has been a core partner for the Fund since 2017, providing vital financial support and industry expertise whilst working collaboratively with PRS Foundation on joint events and promotional activities to engage with potential applicants across the UK. As part of the new arrangement, PPL’s Chief Operating Officer, Christine Geissmar, will join the PRS Foundation Board of Trustees, whilst PPL’s Director of Member Services, Sarah Mitchell, will become an Observer of the Board.

The Fund has supported 375 artists with £3.7 million pounds, 9 of whom, including Ghostpoet, Little Simz and The Comet Is Coming, have gone on to be nominated for the Mercury Prize. 160 albums have been supported, driving dozens of top 20 chart placements, and 250 UK tours made possible.

In addition to the PPL Momentum Music Fund, PPL also supports PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund, which provides grants of up to £5,500 to help export-ready UK artists perform abroad at music industry-facing festivals and conferences and increase their audience globally.

Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer, PPL said:

“We are very proud to be putting our name to the Momentum Music Fund, a scheme that, since 2013, has supported some of the most inspirational rising talents in the UK. Seeing these acts produce work of such high quality, with the help of PRS Foundation, has encouraged us to become increasingly involved with the Fund. We cannot wait to see the work that funded artists will produce in the future, and we thank PRS Foundation, all of the Fund’s supporters, and, most importantly, the artists themselves for helping to make the Fund what it is today.”

Joe Frankland, Chief Executive Officer, PRS Foundation said:

“We’re delighted that PPL has increased support for Momentum. This is a strong endorsement of the ground-breaking Fund and the impact it has had over the past 7 years. We’ve enjoyed working closely with the PPL team through industry funds and events, and this feels like a natural next step to accelerate the careers of shared PPL and PRS for Music members across the UK.”

Stuart Clarke of Goodlife, and Manager of the Momentum-funded band ‘Sports Team’ said:

“The Momentum Music Fund was an invaluable tool for us at an early stage of Sports Team’s career, enabling us to scale things up around the project while keeping the band independent. It’s fantastic news that PPL is increasing its support for this essential fund.”

For a full rundown of all the artists supported so far see: http://prsfoundation.com/funding/momentum-music-fund/momentum-artists.

The next deadline for applications to the PPL Momentum Music Fund is 10 February 2020 via the PRS Foundation website. We are particularly interested in receiving more applications from outside of London: http://prsfoundation.com/funding/momentum-music-fund.

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.

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact David Cohen, PPL Communications and PR Manager, at david.cohen@ppluk.com / 020 7534 1262 / 07729 321 096

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