Financing and Funding for Musicians Struggling to find funding for musicians in the UK? Discover our list of useful organisations that can help fund your music business. Last updated: 03 October 2023 Funding awards can be fiercely competitive, but artists can improve their chance of success by applying only for the opportunities that match to their circumstances or ideas and by completing application forms as accurately and effectively as possible. There are funding bodies and awards to help with musicians’ funding, including: Getting funds through local government Arts Council England (ACE) Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people's lives. They invest money from government and the National Lottery in arts and culture across England. This funds a wide range of activities – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, crafts to collections. ACE offers a range of funding opportunities for both artists and arts organisations: Open Funds are open to organisations, artists, events, initiatives and others people who use the arts in their work. National Lottery Project Grants is their open access programme for arts projects Arts Council of Northern Ireland The Arts Council of Northern Ireland supports the full range of arts activities throughout Northern Ireland. As well as funding arts organisations, there are a range of support schemes for individuals and musicians. Arts Council of Wales The Arts Council of Wales is the official body that funds and develops the arts in Wales. The funding they distribute comes from both the Welsh government and The National Lottery. Most of the funding goes to artists and arts organisations carrying out programmes of work across Wales. Sometimes they also run their own projects, especially when these explore new areas of arts activity, or help to persuade other organisations to take an interest in the arts. Creative Scotland Creative Scotland distributes funds for musicians from two primary sources - the Scottish government and the National Lottery. As well as supporting arts organisations across Scotland, support is also available for the development of individuals, the funding of ideas, plus new work and projects. Cultural Enterprise Office Cultural Enterprise Office is a not-for-profit service providing access to free creative business support. They can help creatives such as musicians and creative micro-businesses build the skills and knowledge through specialist advice, programmes and events. They can help with guiding to funding available from a range of sources as well as making funding applications and proposals. Funding new music through PRS Foundation PRS Foundation’s mission is to help musicians fund, stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music throughout the UK and to ensure that this music is enjoyed by a wide audience. Since 2000, it has supported over 7,300 new music initiatives to the tune of over £35 million. It does this through open grant schemes which are available to musicians and organisations four times per year. There are also partnership programmes in response to specific needs and gaps in funding. Latest funding opportunities for music creators Getting financial support Help Musicians Help Musicians provides a range of finance support for musicians to: Study musical theatre, opera or postgraduate studies Create and release music Develop skills or artistic practice Help Musicians also provides specific financial support for: Emerging jazz musicians and bands through the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award Musicians making hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, music of African origin, reggae, jazz and gospel through the MOBO Help Musicians Fund. Alongside funding for musicians, Help Musicians advice section can help you track down opportunities relevant to you. Musicians in Scotland and Northern Ireland can also contact dedicated on-the-ground teams for additional support. Looking for financial support in times of need? Take a look at our guidance to financial support and grants available to musicins through the MU and other organisations. Financial support for musicians Funding news MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts MU Midlands members are urged to join us outside Birmingham City Council House on Tuesday 18 June to demand a reversal of the cuts to the city's vital services, libraries and arts sector. Published: 11 June 2024 Read more about Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene Bristol City Council wants to know how you feel about Bristol's local music. Fill out the survey and support the creation of a self-sustaining music fund. Published: 07 June 2024 Read more about Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene MU Welcomes Launch of GENIE - A New Resource Collating Gender Equality Projects in Europe GENIE (Gender Equality Networks in Europe) is a new database of gender equality networks, seeking to connect activists, networks and projects working with a shared mission towards gender equality in music. Published: 02 April 2024 Read more about MU Welcomes Launch of GENIE - A New Resource Collating Gender Equality Projects in Europe MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts Musicians' Union members in the orchestra of Welsh National Opera (WNO) are facing a reduction in working weeks, equating to a 15% pay cut as a result of a funding shortfall for the company. Published: 28 March 2024 Read more about MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts Read more Upcoming events Last chance to book 07 May 2025 Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment A two-hour webinar which covers what bullying and harassment looks like in the creative sector and its impact, the law, and how to identify common examples to ensure participants understand the full scope of these terms. Online Read more about Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment Last chance to book 08 May 2025 Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast This one-hour, in-person session focuses on evidence-based practical skills, and draws from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Belfast Read more about Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast Last chance to book 09 May 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better See all events
MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund
Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts MU Midlands members are urged to join us outside Birmingham City Council House on Tuesday 18 June to demand a reversal of the cuts to the city's vital services, libraries and arts sector. Published: 11 June 2024 Read more about Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts
Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene Bristol City Council wants to know how you feel about Bristol's local music. Fill out the survey and support the creation of a self-sustaining music fund. Published: 07 June 2024 Read more about Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene
MU Welcomes Launch of GENIE - A New Resource Collating Gender Equality Projects in Europe GENIE (Gender Equality Networks in Europe) is a new database of gender equality networks, seeking to connect activists, networks and projects working with a shared mission towards gender equality in music. Published: 02 April 2024 Read more about MU Welcomes Launch of GENIE - A New Resource Collating Gender Equality Projects in Europe
MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts Musicians' Union members in the orchestra of Welsh National Opera (WNO) are facing a reduction in working weeks, equating to a 15% pay cut as a result of a funding shortfall for the company. Published: 28 March 2024 Read more about MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts
07 May 2025 Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment A two-hour webinar which covers what bullying and harassment looks like in the creative sector and its impact, the law, and how to identify common examples to ensure participants understand the full scope of these terms. Online Read more about Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment
08 May 2025 Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast This one-hour, in-person session focuses on evidence-based practical skills, and draws from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Belfast Read more about Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast
09 May 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better