PRS Foundation has announced a new partnership with Music:Leeds’ ‘Launchpad’ scheme supported by Arts Council England. The partnership – called PPL Momentum Accelerator - will bring targeted PPL Momentum Music Fund support to talented artists and industry professionals based in Yorkshire.
Together with Launchpad, PRS Foundation’s PPL Momentum Accelerator will offer support of up to £5,000 to four artists and will ringfence at least two full PPL Momentum Music Fund grants of up to £15,000 to artists based in Yorkshire.
Additionally 10 industry professionals will receive support to develop their skills and careers through Launchpad with support from Arts Council England.
Launchpad offers opportunities and support for emerging artists, musicians, producers, bands, composers and industry professionals in the Yorkshire region. The PPL Momentum Accelerator funding will provide crucial support for exciting artists with a growing fanbase, currently working to establish a music industry team, while the full PPL Momentum Music support is for those artists with a team already in place and at a tipping point, ready to take the next step in their careers.
Joe Frankland, chief executive, PRS Foundation, said: ‘We’re delighted to be partnering with Music:Leeds and again with Arts Council of England to offer this targeted support through our PPL Momentum Music Fund to the talented music creators in Yorkshire. Having piloted the Accelerator model successfully in Liverpool last year, we’re excited to be building on the programme and our relationship with PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Partner organisations to continue to invest in talented music creators outside of London with varied and targeted support.’
Samuel (Whiskas) Nicholls, founder and director, Music:Leeds said: ‘It’s amazing to be able to bring the support we have established through the Launchpad program to artists and emerging professionals throughout Yorkshire. Through our well established partnership with PRS Foundation, we are excited to bring the opportunity for artists in the region to apply for PPL Momentum Accelerator, filling an essential gap in the talent development pipeline for artists on the verge of breaking through to national profile, and continue to base themselves in the region.’
Sarah Mitchell, director of membership and communications at PPL, said: ‘We are excited to support the launch of the PPL Momentum Accelerator for Yorkshire. The region is home to some of the UK’s most well-known artists, and its towns and cities continue to produce great music. This accelerator will, in addition to the existing grants available through the PPL Momentum Fund, provide extra support to the creators of this music, helping them capitalise on their success and continue to develop their careers.”
Pete Massey, director north, Arts Council England says: ‘It’s fantastic to see Music:Leeds reintroducing the Launchpad for artists based in Yorkshire. This programme, along with the Momentum Accelerator fund, will help to break down barriers for regional emerging musicians wishing to break into the industry, and help to develop their talent. These initiatives arrive at a challenging time for venues, producers, musicians and their livelihoods, so it’s especially great to see Music: Leeds and partners continuing to provide these opportunities for musicians and industry professionals.’
Artists can find out more information and apply for either PPL Momentum Accelerator or PPL Momentum Music support via PRS Foundation’s website here.
