Open call: PRS Foundation’s Composers’ Fund

The fund is an opportunity for composers with a strong track record, giving direct access to funding at pivotal stages in their careers.

A contribution of up to £8 000 (about $9 800) to £15 000 is available to composers who are already making a significant cultural contribution in the UK and have the potential for greater impact in the UK and overseas. 

Last year, Senegalese kora virtuoso Seckou Keita was named among the programme’s grantees.

Eligibility

• Composers working in classical music with a strong track record in their field who are at a point in their development where access to funding would make a significant change to their career.
• Composers who are making a significant cultural contribution in the UK and an impact overseas.
• Composers writing primarily for live performance.
• Composers must be based in the UK and a member of PRS for Music.
• Composers who demonstrate critical acclaim and who have tangible potential to achieve a further significant profile.
• Composers must be working in classical music genres (including but not limited to classical, contemporary classical, dance, opera, sound art, Indian classical).

Who can apply?

Composers applying for the Composers’ Fund must be at a crucial tipping point in their careers, showing current progression and growth as a composer with the potential to significantly develop their careers over the next two years.

Applications can be made by composers’ directly or by representatives of the composer. Those who can apply on behalf of an artist are:

• Manager
• Booking agent
• PR
• Trusted advisor to the artist

The deadline for application is 9 October at 6pm GMT. 

NOTE: Any resulting grant offer is made to the music creator. Authorised representatives can in effect project manage funded activity. However, should there be a change in team around the artist or should the funding support not reach the music creator, the PRS Foundation would reclaim monies paid/owed in order to ensure that the funds are used solely for the purposes outlined in the application directly for the benefit of the music creator.

How much can music creators apply for?

Applicants will be able to apply for funds between £8 000 to £15 000. Proposed costs must be clearly presented and the average grant will be below the upper limit.

What can be funded?

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and composers are invited to propose anything that would make a significant difference to their long-term development. This, for example, might include the following areas or others:

• Recording
• Promotion/performance of existing works: to get existing pieces performed again/toured in the UK and internationally.
• International co-commissions: assistance for composers to establish relationships with commissioning bodies overseas.
• International development: travel to build relationships or spend time overseas, working with festivals or ensembles.
• Performer collaboration: time to work more closely with performers.
• Residencies/sabbaticals: with clearly defined artistic end result(s).
• Project or promotional support.
• Childcare costs.
• A combination of any of the above.
• Anything a composer can make a valid case for.

What can’t be funded?

• Organisations seeking funding for commissions via a composer applying on their behalf.
• An investment where the composer has not made clear how there will be potential for a step change in their profile.

For more information, contact elizabeth@prsfoundation.com.

View the original call here.