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Jan 20 2022 
Music funding opportunities for January
January Funding Opportunities
At Take it away, we believe that music needs backing. For any music creator, knowing where and how to look for financial support for your projects is invaluable.
We update this page regularly with the latest opportunities and deadlines for creative grants that will help you on your musical journey.
Here’s what caught our eye recently (last updated January 2022)
Help Musicians announce £1m hardship fund
Unfortunately, we enter this new year with many musicians struggling to make ends meet due to Covid disruption.
Help Musicians will be making further payments to musicians facing financial hardship, with applications for support opening on 31 January 2022.
This new round will see a one-off payment of at least £250 made to those eligible, with higher amounts available to those in the most challenging financial conditions if we have sufficient funds.
Time to Power Up
Power UP is a new programme which will power up Black music creators & industry professionals, and will tackle anti-Black racism & racial disparities in the UK music industry. If you’re an exceptional UK-based Black music creator or industry professional ready to power up to the next phase of your career, apply today!
Deadline 17th Feb at 6pm
Grand Plan
Grand Plan is a fund run by creatives, for creatives. The founders have either observed or experienced the sustained and structural barriers which contribute to an under-representation of artists and creative people of colour in British arts & culture. They offer three £1000 grants per month to creative people of colour based in the UK who want to make a new cultural project happen.
Deadline 31st January.
🔗 Find out more and apply here…
Mobo Help Musicians’ Fund
The MOBO Help Musicians Fund can provide financial support to musicians making Hip Hop, Grime, R&B, Soul, music of African origin, Reggae, Jazz and Gospel, helping them create music, develop business skills and take their career to the next level.
Music creators can apply for financial support of up to £3,000 towards recording and releasing music.
As well as the above, supported artists will also receive a health consultation from a BAPAM specialist to talk through and address any issues.
Get instruments for your project from Music for All
Music for All invites groups in need of electric guitars (no amplifiers included) and/or ukuleles to apply for some very special instruments.
The charity also has up to 20 special Behringer MS-1 analogue synthesisers to award to deserving projects.
In addition, up to three awards of £2000 are available for projects to benefit those with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
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Nov 10 2021 
Music funding opportunities for November
November Funding Opportunities
For any music creator, knowing where and how to look for financial support for your projects is invaluable.
For any music creator, knowing where and how to look for financial support for your projects is invaluable. We update this page monthly with the latest opportunities and deadlines for creative grants that will help you on your musical journey.
Here’s what caught our eye in November.
Get funding application guidance from Help Musicians
Support is always available from Help Musicians and you don’t need to worry about deadlines, or funding rounds. They run ‘Get Set’ online sessions will guide you through the types of activities for which you can receive support, the application process, common mistakes and top tips, equipping you to write the best possible application.
The next one is on December 9th.
Mobo Help Musicians’ Fund
The MOBO Help Musicians Fund can provide financial support to musicians making Hip Hop, Grime, R&B, Soul, music of African origin, Reggae, Jazz and Gospel, helping them create music, develop business skills and take their career to the next level.
Music creators can apply for financial support of up to £3,000 towards recording and releasing music.
As well as the above, supported artists will also receive a health consultation from a BAPAM specialist to talk through and address any issues.
Grand Plan – a new charity
Grand Plan is a fund run by creatives, for creatives. The founders have either observed or experienced the sustained and structural barriers which contribute to an under-representation of artists and creative people of colour in British arts & culture. They offer three £1000 grants per month to creative people of colour based in the UK who want to make a new cultural project happen.
🔗 Find out more and apply here…
The Arts Council England
The Arts Council England has announced that its Developing your Creative Practice programme is open for applications. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support the development of independent creative practioners working in dance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, combined arts or museums practice.
The application deadline is midnight on 7 December 2021.
PPL Momentum Music Fund
The PPL Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5k-£15k for UK based artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers. Activities eligible for support include recording, touring and marketing.
Awards for Young Musicians
The biggest obstacle for many talented young musicians is a simple lack of money. They have the talent, they have the drive, but developing their musical potential can be an expensive endeavour. AYM offers up to £100,000 in grants each year to exceptional young musicians whose families are on a lower income. Their key criteria are musical talent and financial need, meaning whatever genre the musician plays, they can prove their eligibility without having to have taken formal exams.
Musicians can apply anytime after their 5th birthday and before their 18th birthday.
Win a Scholarship from Yamaha Music Europe Foundation
As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of musical instruments, Yamaha believes passionately in musical education. Since 1990, the Yamaha Foundation has granted scholarships to over 1000 young musicians across 33 European countries. The scholarships are granted annually and are aimed at students who are preparing for a professional musical career at a recognized educational institution within Europe. You must be 25 years of age or younger at the time the annual grant is awarded (usually February/March).
The scholarship takes the form of a one-time payment of between €1000.00 and €2000.00. Applications must have been received by the deadline of November 30, 2021.
The British Council
The British Council’s Music team works with over 100 countries to connect British musicians, educators and industry people with their counterparts and audiences around the world, providing opportunities to share knowledge and experience different cultures.
Here you’ll find the latest UK music opportunities and UK music funding resources from the British Council and beyond.
Click here for various funding opportunities
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Oct 13 2021 
October funding opportunities
Opportunities + Events
For any music creator, knowing where and how to look for financial support for your projects is invaluable.
We’ll be updating this page on a monthly basis with the latest opportunities (and deadlines) for creative grants that will help you on your musical journey.
The PRS Foundation Open Fund for Music Creators
In these unprecedented times, it’s challenging for creators to establish and sustain a music career. The Fund offers music grants of up to £5,000 to make their ideas happen. You can get support for:
- Creation of new music
- Music Creator fee (to cover your time and work)
- Touring and live performances
- Recording and release
- Creative residency costs
- Fees to creative collaborators
- Promotion and marketing (when there is also an element of creation and/or performance)
Deadline: Monday 18 October 2021.
Meet the Making Music 2021 Young artists
The Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists (PDGYA) awards have helped kick start the careers of artists including Steven Isserlis, Elizabeth Watts and Craig Ogden, by providing up-and-coming classical musicians with opportunities to be booked for performances with Making Music’s 3,600+ group members.
Drake Yolanda Award
The deadline is looming for the Drake YolanDa Award, a funding scheme for emerging artists headed up by entrepreneur/philanthropist James JP Drake and saxophonist/broadcaster YolanDa Brown.
The scheme seeks to provide funding to independent artists to help them with upcoming projects that will develop their careers, which might include recording new music or videos, touring activity, a branding or marketing project, or purchasing new equipment. Ten musicians will receive £3000 each, with another ten getting £500. Applicants are encouraged from all genres.
Music for All
Music for All supports every type of music maker from community groups and schools, to experienced musicians and aspirational individuals picking up an instrument for the first time. They have now opened a new round of funding for applications from community projects. The closing date for this round of award applications will be 29 October.
Help Musicians
Have you heard of the ‘Do it Differently Fund, the MOBO fund, the Transmission Fund and the Fusion Fund?
Find out about these and more funding opportunities on this page by Help Musicians, a very helpful resource, updated regularly.
The British Council
The British Council’s Music team works with over 100 countries to connect British musicians, educators and industry people with their counterparts and audiences around the world, providing opportunities to share knowledge and experience different cultures.
Here you’ll find the latest UK music opportunities and UK music funding resources from the British Council and beyond.
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Jun 28 2021 
July | Opportunities, Events + Good Reads
A July Round-up from Take it away
It’s officially summer! The new season has brought a fresh batch of creativity and things to look forward to. Looking for some summer holiday music activities? Check out our post on DIY musical instruments which includes how to make carrot recorders and more! 🥕
From opportunities and events to good reads and inspiration, there are many musical things happening this month. Here is a round-up of some of the things we’ve had our eyes on recently and have enjoyed reading, watching, and listening to…
Opportunities + Events
Get involved in the UK’s biggest ever Thank You Party!
After a hard 18 months, we’ve all got someone to say thank you to. Whether it’s the frontline staff, the delivery driver, conductors for navigating zoom rehearsals, bus drivers, or friends and neighbours – Making Music want to get together to say thanks to them all! This initiative is taking place on Sunday 4th July and it’s very light touch if your singing, playing or organising skills are a bit rusty after 18 months! Read on to find out more from the organisers.
🔗 Find out how to get involved…
Music in Manchester – New Exhibition
This special exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, and how their innovative work in music, technology and design gave Manchester an authentic voice and distinctive identity.
BBC Open Training
Do you know someone interested in music, presenting, radio production, event production, sound recording or engineering?
BBC Open are offering hands-on experience, masterclasses and mentoring to develop skills, your voice and your ideas with Open Music.
All whilst getting the chance to work with the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Proms & other BBC teams in building, shaping, delivering (and possibly performing in!) a BBC Prom in 2022.
🔗 Find out more and apply here…
Music Engineering + DJ’ing courses
Are you between 16 and 24 and want to learn how to use a music studio and logic… and get a qualification too? Tutor Hub has started running some FREE courses. More info on their Instagram page: instagram.com/tutorhubltd
Join the NYO Community
Celebrate the return to live music as part of the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers!
NYO are recruiting musicians to be part of a dynamic community of young people who are passionate about orchestral music, and who want to open up this music to their generation. In 2022, there are places for 1,000 teenage musicians to be part of the NYO orchestral community, in NYO and NYO Inspire – this is your opportunity to join in.
Youth Music NextGen Fund
The Youth Music NextGen Fund offers young creatives grants of up to £2,500 to make their ideas happen.
Built for creatives with a stack of ideas but a lack of finance, the fund is open to 18–25-year-olds (and under-30s who identify as Disabled). Successful applicants will use the money to launch a creative project, idea or business. YM 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.
Deadline: Friday 9 July 2021.
Music scenes celebrated with ‘digital museum’
Bristol and Bath’s music scenes are being highlighted in a new location-based virtual tour with over 250 venues, studios and inspirational places are featured in a “digital museum”. The website, called Everything is Music, features interviews with artists, producers and historical venue information and you can use your phones to get the content in specific locations.
Music Museums in the UK
With the school holidays just around the corner, we looked into some music-based activities to inspire, amaze and motivate young musicians. Introducing the magical world of music museums!
All over the UK, there are buildings full of the history of local and global music-making. From self-playing instruments, a piano with six pedals to Bob Dylan’s guitar and Elgar’s gramophone, there’s a lot to discover.
Good reads + news
Watch 🎥 Future Sound Digital
Future Sound Digital is a series of free, short videos which will help you start your songwriting journey. The video tutorials give you a simple, engaging and accessible insight into how different artists express themselves through music; how they write songs; and how they became musicians.
The video tutorials feature talented artists Oscar Jerome, Sans Soucis and Arji Manuelpillai. They give tips, insights and advice on lyric-writing, composition and self-expression through music. Plus they offer inspiration for young people who aspire to connect with a career in the music industry.
Learning by Livestream?
Watching YouTube videos has been a popular way to pick up some new skills over the past decade, but livestreaming platforms such as Twitch have started to gain popularity with their real-time interactions.
This year, Liam Taylor became a Steinberg Certified Trainer and has gained recognition for his Cubase tutorial type livestream sessions. We caught up with Liam to learn more about his approach to learning how to produce music and get some advice for anyone looking to get started in this side of music-making.
🔗 Read on…
Accessible Reopening Checklist
Accessibility charity Attitude is Everything has published a 10-point Accessible Reopening Checklist in a bid to ensure deaf, disabled and neurodivergent fans are made welcome when full-capacity events resume.
“It’s free and easy to use, so there’s no reason for promoters, venue managers and event organisers not to embrace and implement this checklist,” said Attitude is Everything founder Suzanne Bull. “Deaf and disabled people are artists, employees, volunteers and fans, and they’re looking forward to returning to an inclusive world of sports, arts and culture. You’d better get ready.”
Why music is the heartbeat of gaming
“Music is a fundamental part of every game, but one particular genre goes further, making its soundtrack an essential part of the action. In music games, a player’s movements are bound to the score: you might reshape the songs with your actions, or be challenged to react to every riff, beat and snare.” Interesting article on the FT covering how music’s role in the world of gaming.
🔗 Read on…
What can classical musicians learn from jazz gigs?
Violinist Nicola Benedetti spoke to Classic FM about rejecting the “sewed up and perfect” ideal of what a classical concert should be, and why the live music experience should offer more than just a live version of a recording.
🔗 Read on…
UK pop pilgrimages: from Paul McCartney’s Kintyre to Giggs’s Peckham
With festivals looking thin on the ground, why not visit the places that have inspired some of our best songs and greatest bands. The Guardian have done a round-up including artists ranging from Pulp to Giggs!
🔗 Read on…
Listen 🎧
If you’ve not already discovered NPR Tiny Desk Concerts we highly recommend starting with the dulcet tones of Jordan Rakei!Aviemore composer Sonia Allori has not let deafness stop her from making music
“What’s missing is a clear pathway for young, deaf and disabled musicians coming through school and thinking ‘what’s next?’, ‘how can I make it in music?’. Great article featuring Take it away friend Sonia Allori!
🔗 Read on…
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Feb 09 2021 
February | Opportunities, Events + Good Reads
Welcome to our February 2021 update (well done, we made it through the longest January on record!) 🎉
From opportunities and events to good reads and inspiration, there is a lot happening this month. Here is a round up of some of the things we are looking forward to and have had our eyes on recently…
Opportunities + Events
Everyone welcome? : access and inclusion solutions for groups and events
Join Making Music for their upcoming free event where they’ll be looking at barriers which many people experience – both virtually and in the real world – and the impact this has on who can be part of music-making groups, who can come to concerts/events and what you can do about it!
Did someone say “FREE pianos”?!
Online music education platform, HDpiano, is giving away a brand-new full-size digital piano every week this year! You got to be in it to win it – good luck!!
Saffron Springboard
Saffron is a music tech initiative taking an intersectional approach to redressing the gender imbalance in the industry. The new Springboard initiative is providing 7 people with a 10-month program of mentoring, professional coaching and grants of £1,000-£3,000.
Deadline for applications: 26th Feb🔗 Download the application pack and apply…
Attitude is Everything Webinars
Want to ensure your event is as accessible as possible? Our friends at @attitudetweets are offering fantastic webinar sessions to provide quality training in improving accessibility and disability awareness.
Family Workshop at Home: Endangered Animals
This half term, join Wigmore Hall for an online challenge to create music together inspired by some of the world’s most endangered animals, from rhinos to turtles! You will learn about these incredible creatures, write lyrics, and compose melodies to form a new piece of music – all in one hour!
They will also release free pre-workshop activities at the beginning of half term, so if you would like to you can start getting creative together ahead of the workshop.
Virtual work experience with the Royal Marines Band Service
This 2-day Virtual Look at Life Course is open to young musicians and vocalists age 14+ and encompasses Q&A sessions, career presentations and tours of some of the Royal Marines’ Bandrooms. Young musicians who attend will be given a behind the scenes tour of The Royal Marines School of Music and the opportunity to pose live questions to musicians currently in training.
Music Technology Connectivity Series
‘Connectivity ‘ is a collaborative and innovative series of three online events delivered in partnership with Technology in Music Education UK (TiME), UK Music, Leicester-Shire Music Education Hub (LMEH) and the ISM, the MIA, JAMES, Creative United, Music Mark and the Musicians Union.
Our CEO, Mary-Alice Stack, will be speaking in the ‘Accessible Music Technology – Panel Discussion’ during Event 3 on the 10th March, so see you there!
NCEM Young Composers Award
National Centre for Early Music and BBC Radio 3 are calling for aspiring young composers to create a new work for the vibrant young recorder quartet Palisander.
The winning pieces will be premiered by Palisander in a performance at St John’s Smith Square, London on Thursday 20 May 2021 as part of the London Festival of Baroque Music and recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show.Online Networking 101 | YPIA
Young People in the Arts are hosting a free online event with Isabel Sachs, founder of I LIKE NETWORKING. The session aims to develop networking skills and provide tips on how to draft a personal elevator pitch and make the most of an online networking event. There will also be advice on how to find the best online networking platforms.
Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing
Southampton Music Hub would love to see as many people as possible join in with Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing! Whether you’re in a school bubble or an individual learning at home or a whole school participating you can choose any song from the Song Bank to participate in this project. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate from pre-school right up to secondary school.
Introduction to Music Therapy
Join the ISM and Simon Procter from Nordoff Robbins on 24th February (2-3pm), for a free introduction to music therapy, which utilises and shares the positive benefits of music to help people living with significant challenges.
Good reads + news
Podcast 🎧
Emma Welton has composed a Sound Walk with and for autistic people, particularly those who are sensitive to sound. In this podcast she shares the evolution of the piece through a series of conversations and walks in her neighbourhood.How did the piano come to be? 🎹
Have you ever wondered how the piano was invented? Or what the differences between a clavichord, harpsichord and a piano are? Us too! Take it away retailer Markson Pianos has put together a very interesting article on the origins of this majestic instrument.
🔗 Read on…
How Covid is ‘creating a new genre’ for live music
“As an international touring DJ with an album to release, Hot Since 82’s hectic schedule for 2020 didn’t originally include playing from a hot air balloon.” Interesting article on the BBC covering how music and performing is adapting to the times – from Billie Eilish to the Barbican!
🔗 Read on…
#CanDoMusic
This UK-wide campaign was created to support school music teachers and signpost them to practical resources so that children and teachers #CanDoMusic in school.
It offers practical teaching resources, guidance on how to adapt to the ‘new normal’, advice on online teaching, and information to help individuals and organisations advocate for music in schools. Its mission is to celebrate and unlock the innovation of music teachers and senior leaders, ensuring that music plays a central role in rebuilding their school communities.
Created by the ISM, Music Mark and the Music Teachers’ Association. 🔗 Learn more…
National Open Youth Orchestra member Oscar, talks over coming barriers to music education
The recent Reshape Music report found that more than half of Disabled musicians who responded to our survey could not find a music teacher who met their learning style, suggesting a desperate need for training in inclusive practices for music teachers.
Oscar is a 17-year-old pianist and percussionist. He spoke to recently about the hurdles he has faced from a young age accessing music, and how he overcame them to become a member of the highly regarded National Open Youth Orchestra – the world’s first Disabled-led national youth orchestra for 11-25 year old Disabled and non-Disabled musicians.
🔗 Read on…
Spotify wants to suggest songs based on your emotions
‘Spotify has patented technology that will allow it to analyse your voice and suggest songs based on your “emotional state, gender, age, or accent”.’ A natural next step, or a step too far…?
🔗 Read on…
Interview with Charles Hazlewood
“A multi-talented musician who was once the drummer in a band, Charles Hazlewood has conducted orchestras around the world, taken opera to the townships and villages of South Africa, and founded Paraorchestra, who performed alongside Coldplay at the 2012 Paralympics and have played at Glastonbury. In a new TV documentary, Beethoven and Me (Sky Arts), Hazlewood explores his own obsession with Beethoven, the composer’s mental health and his most famous work, the Fifth Symphony.”
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Aug 06 2020 
August Round up
There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year so far. However, summer has brought a renewed energy and things are starting to bloom in the music world!
From opportunities and events to good reads and inspiration, here’s some of the things we’ve had our eyes on recently…
Good reads + news
Comfort in Culture
“If we have culture at the base of everything, we have the resilience and the possibility of rebuilding no matter what comes our way because we are sustaining one another, and together, we’re stronger” Yo-Yo Ma
Google Arts and Culture has put together a project inspired by Yo-Yo Ma’s Songs of Comfort, where you can discover how the artist and other creatives find comfort in culture during the covid crisis. 🔗 Check it out here…
Do you know about the lap slide guitar?
🔗 Watch Tom Doughty introducing this beautiful instrument and explaining its differences to the traditional guitar.
This is part 1 of a series Tom filmed with us which we’ll be sharing on Facebook over the next few weeks. If you can’t wait for the rest, head to our YouTube channel!
As featured in our Guide to Adaptive Musical Instruments.
#CanDoMusic
This UK-wide campaign aims to ensure all children and young people can resume their musical learning this autumn. It offers practical teaching resources, guidance on how to adapt to the ‘new normal’, advice on online teaching, and information to help individuals and organisations advocate for music in schools. Its mission is to celebrate and unlock the innovation of music teachers and senior leaders, ensuring that music plays a central role in rebuilding their school communities.
Created by the ISM, Music Mark and the Music Teachers’ Association. 🔗 Learn more…
Video series – Musician’s in lockdown
We thoroughly enjoyed these mesmerising videos series focused on the plight of musicians in lockdown – always a joy to hear Sheila Maurice-Grey of the band Kokoroko!
Carbon neutral music-making
All pInstruments, many of which have been included in our Guide to Adaptive Musical Instruments, have been independently certified as carbon neutral – whatever colour you choose, it will be green! 🙌
“Music technology opens the doors…”
…to composition, songwriting, recording and music production, live sound, arrangement, orchestration, event management and many other creative music making chances and careers; for example, making music for film, games and animation. It is inclusive across all genders, ages, backgrounds and abilities.”
🔗 Read ‘Demystifying the world of technology in music education’ here. A brilliant piece from our friends at the ISM.
A feast for musicians’ eyes!
Springburn Park, a new theatre space in Glasgow, has used about 40 recycled pianos to create seating in their auditorium and isn’t it beautiful? 😍
Online Music Exams have launched their new website!
OME is a great alternative to traditional exams for many reasons, especially in light of lockdown restrictions.
“Live music isn’t merely some appealing adjunct, it’s a way I connect with my emotions, communicate with others, and periodically flee from ordinary life.”
We miss it too 💙 A great article by Rick Burin on the Guardian. 🔗 Read on…
Opportunities + Events
696 Resident Artists
The Hornimam’s 696 Resident Artists programme is calling for music artists at the cutting edge of south London’s music scene. During a year-long residency, Resident Artists will develop an artistic project in response to the Horniman’s collection of musical instruments which is one of the most comprehensive and exciting in the UK.
Do you know someone producing the best new Afrobeat, Jazz, Grime, Rap, R&B, Reggae and Soul music?
Are you an instrument maker, designer or technician up for a challenge?
Could you create or develop musical instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm? The OHMI Trust Competition is open for submissions!
Coventry City of Culture Trust Grants
A new initiative has been launched to provide micro-commissions to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in Coventry and Warwickshire. Projects can include theatre, live art, dance, music and poetry.
Digital members club for womxn in music tech launched by Saffron
‘Saffron is a non-profit organisation working to support and champion female-identifying and non-binary people (womxn) in music technology, challenging the current climate of the industry and offering training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as artist mentoring and development.’
🔗 Learn more and join the club which will will provide year-round tools and opportunities for womxn to connect.
#YouthMusicNextGen – Podcast
Youth Music are recruiting a team to produce a six-part podcast series delving into social and political themes behind the music that they love. This is a great opportunity for someone in the early stages of their creative career!
St Hugh’s Foundation for the Arts
Just announced: a programme of ‘Artists Respond’ funding in 2020 to support artists living/working in the City of Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (including North and North East Lincolnshire). The Foundation will be offering 8 grants of £750 to artists of all disciplines, at all stages of their practice. The aim of these grants is to enable selected artists to engage with their practice in whichever form feels most relevant at this challenging time, without the need to produce something at the end.
CLASH Studios x Digit Music
Sign up to attend the CLASH Studios x Digit Music Production pilot session in London this month! It will be focusing on accessible music technology. We’re sure this will be an amazing workshop with our friends Jason Dasent and Digit Music.
Lewisham Lounge Fest
Call out for young artists aged 7-15 and 16-21! Lewisham Music are hosting their first ever online music festival featuring an eclectic mix of diverse young musicians on Friday 14th August. Whatever your style, genre or ability they want you to take part – send in your recordings for a chance to feature on one of the digital stages.
Free Feldenkrais Workshop
Join the ISM on the 12th August @ 2-3pm for a free practical Feldenkrais workshop with violinist and Feldenkrais practitioner Emma Alter. They’ll examine how we hold emotional tension in the way we move and hold our physical selves. Wear comfy clothes!
