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Youth Music Open New Fund For Young Creatives

Youth Music have announced the opening of their NextGen Fund, offering grants of £2,500 to young creatives in England with a stack of ideas but a lack of finance.

Published: 08 June 2021 | 9:53 AM
Photograph of a young person with bright pink hair, sat in a shadowy room they're holding up their phone and appear to be taking a photograph with it.
Youth Music invests in grassroots projects nationwide so that every young person can make, learn and earn in music. Photo credit: The Gender Spectrum Collection

Our partner organisation, Youth Music, has announced that their Youth Music NextGen Fund (in partnership with TikTok and support from players of the People’s Post Code Lottery) has now opened.

Research from Youth Music reveals three quarters (79%) of young people pursuing music industry careers would rather start their own project than take up a traditional role. With financial support proving the biggest barrier to realising this ambition, the Youth Music NextGen Fund, in partnership with TikTok and support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, has opened.

About the fund and who can apply

The Youth Music NextGen Fund offers young creatives in England grants of up to £2,500 to make their ideas happen. The aim of the fund is to help emerging musicians and behind the scenes creatives take a step forward in participating and changing the music industries.

Built for creatives with a stack of ideas but a lack of finance, the fund is open to 18–25-year-olds (and under-30s who identify as Disabled). Successful applicants will use the money to launch a creative project, idea or business.

Youth Music’s aim is to support the future of the music industries. Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, Producers, DJs, A&Rs, Managers and Agents, right through to roles that have yet to be defined. They would especially like to hear from people who have never applied for funding before.

Find out more about the fund and how to apply on Youth Music’s website.

Financial resources are the biggest barrier to pursuing and sustaining a career in music

Youth Music invests in grassroots projects nationwide so that every young person can make, learn and earn in music, whatever their background or goal. As the music industry bounces back from another lockdown, a new survey of 18-25 year olds highlights the evolved expectations, circumstances, and ambitions of its future workforce.

The survey of 1000 respondents seeking a career in the music industries also found:

  • Financial resources are the biggest barrier to pursuing and sustaining a career in music, chosen by almost a third (31%)
  • Those from less advantaged socio-economic background were more likely to experience a negative impact on their creative career goals as a result of the pandemic (ABC1 19% - C2DE 24%), and are less likely to be aware of relevant funding to progress their career (26% vs 39%)
  • 63% reported lockdown having a positive impact on their career due to time gained or remote working/learning opportunities
  • 59% recognised that the music industry has become more inclusive for young creatives over the past year

To find out more, visit Youth Music’s website.

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