The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has announced the return of the Step Up Fund for a third year.
The Fund, which launched in 2022, is designed to boost the development of music talent as part of FAC’s wider mission to advocate, educate, collaborate and research on behalf of artists. Previous Step Up-funded artists include Jalen Ngonda, Elkka and recent 0207 Def Jam signing Amie Blu.
Supported by Amazon Music, this year the fund will offer up to 10 independent unsigned artists the chance to secure a funding grant of up to £8,000 to further their music career.
Further benefits for Step Up grantees include a one-year membership and exclusive benefit package with FAC, content creation opportunities with Amazon Music, an Amazon Echo device and a 12 month Amazon Music subscription.
With applications for 2024's Step Up Fund set to open on Wednesday (15 May), eligible artists will be able to submit any music-related projects, including recording, content creation, marketing and touring, for consideration.
To qualify for the Fund, you must be UK-based, aged 18+ and have released at least three tracks within the last year. Those songs must have achieved a minimum of 15,000 streams, or one track should have achieved 45,000 streams on a chart-eligible UK streaming service.
Applications will close at 23:59pm on 31 May, and you can find out more information and how to apply here. Successful Step Up applicants will be decided by a panel of independent industry professionals and announced in July 2024.
Speaking about the impact the Fund has had on his career, Jalen said: ‘With no access to tour support the Step Up Fund really helped me to play UK and European shows […] and keep the ticket price affordable. This has been so valuable in helping us build an audience and grow the fanbase.’
David Martin FAC CEO added: 'It's an incredibly exciting time to be making and performing music, but the financial pressures faced by artists have never been greater. The entire industry is grappling with this dilemma, but thanks to the continued support of Amazon Music, the FAC's Step Up Fund has demonstrated the positive impact of targeted, early-stage support.’
