NEWS:

Mary James writes (*):

The following sources of grants for self-employed musicians affected by the corona virus pandemic have been identified.

Musicians’ Union: Musicians’ Union has set up a £1m fund for MU members with genuine and pressing need. Information here https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/hardshipfund

Arts Council England. NEW; Arts Council England have set aside £20m to help musicians affected by the corona virus pandemic. Grants of up to £2500 will be awarded to musicians with a track record of publicly funded culture (previous ACE grants but not limited to ACE only). Please note that the Arts Council England National Lottery Grant and Developing Your Creative Practice schemes have been suspended so no new applications can take place.  There will be 2 rounds of applications to the Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund for Individuals, the first opens on 9 April (closing date 16 April), the second opens on 16 April (closing date 30 April). Applicants may only apply in once, even if unsuccessful in the first round, and the budget will be spilt equally across the two rounds.  Applicants must have an account on Grantium, validated by 13 April. Create one here https://applications.artscouncil.org.uk/frontOffice.jsf on the Create Profile link if you do not have an account.

Full information (including very important Guidance) is available here:

https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/financial-support-artists-creative-practitioners-and-freelancers

Help Musicians UK:  £5m Corona Virus Financial Hardship Fund. One-off payment of up to £500. Information here https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

PRS:  Offered to PRS members globally with at least 2 years of membership, a grant up to £1000. Information here https://www.prsformusic.com/c/emergency-relief-fund

(*) with thanks to Kim Macari for her video  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157367743533019&id=502168018&_rdr

NB please note that the above information was correct at 31 March but please check all sources before you apply as information is regularly updated.