International showcasing plays a pivotal role in the career development of emerging creators. Image credit: Shutterstock.
A new report on the impact of PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund (ISF) has revealed that from 2019-2024, the fund has helped to generate £6.7 million for the UK economy and has benefitted the careers of hundreds of music creators across the country.
It also shows that the fund has helped to tackle barriers for artists from underrepresented backgrounds, enriching the global music scene and representing music from across the whole of the UK.
The report also highlights the need for further investment following Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis and bureaucratic restrictions.
A vital tool for artists to expand their reach and audience outside the UK
Established in 2006, the ISF provides artists, bands, songwriters, producers and their team members with the opportunity to apply for support to travel to and perform at international showcase events and songwriting camps.
Dave Webster, MU Head of International comments “The Musicians’ Union has been a long standing, proud partner of the ISF. Despite the challenges facing musicians touring outside the UK, the figures in this report show the value and importance of the ISF and what showcasing brings to musicians and the wider UK economy.”
International showcasing plays a pivotal role in the career development of emerging creators, providing a platform to present their work to key industry players across borders. As well as enabling them to enter new territories and reach new audiences, these opportunities allow music creators to nurture relationships with a range of stakeholders across the industry.
“Simply put, without the ISF there are several fantastic opportunities offered to artists to help grow their careers that they would have to decline due to the financial strain of the costs of playing.” says Charlie Williams, Manager of the London-based trio Honeyglaze.
The fund is successfully reaching artists from underrepresented backgrounds
The report also showed that the ISF is successful reaching a broad range of grantees from all backgrounds including women and music creators of Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse heritage.
57% of grantees identified as women, gender-diverse music creators or were in mixed gender groups, marking a significant increase from previous rounds. 25% of grantees identified as LGBTQIA+, and 12% reported having a long-term health condition and/or impairment affecting their day-to-day life.
The fund is also reaching beyond the traditional music heartland of London. 46% of grantees within England were based outside London, and the fund supported creators in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The MU fully supports the ISF’s aim to support emerging creative talent in all its diversity and help shape a fairer, more equitable music industry.
More investment in the music export industry is crucial for a thriving creative community
While showcasing events and equivalent activities are still extremely effective for artists to expand their networks and fast-track their careers, accessing these opportunities has become more expensive and difficult post-Brexit, post-pandemic and during a cost-of-living crisis.
Emerging artists and creators are feeling the impacts of these issues acutely, and the report highlights how further investment in the music export industry is crucial to building a thriving creative community.
“In a fast-changing ecosystem, and within the context of increased costs, bureaucratic restrictions, and increased competition, it is clear that ISF support is more crucial than ever,” says Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation.