News & Stories for Musicians

A person is playing on a drum kit, the photograph just shows us a close up of the kit, one well used stick, and the arm and shoulder of the person who is wearing a leopard print vest.

Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

With the deadline for ACE’s tenth round of Developing Your Creative Practice funding approaching on 27 May – we’d like to take a moment to remind members about our guidance and feedback service for applications.

Published: 14 May 2021

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Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

The MU were one of the project partners in the research that led to this report, and it now offers musicians an insight into fans’ experiences and expectations of live streamed gigs and concerts.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

An update on the recent election results in Wales, the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the next round of the Freelancer Fund and the joint Q&A session that we will be hosting for applicants.

Published: 11 May 2021

Photograph focusing on a singer, singing emotively into a microphone. Blurred in the foreground is a second musician mixing into a laptop.

Reconsider Proposed Catastrophic 50% Funding Cut MPs Tell Secretary of State

Shadow secretaries of state Jo Stevens MP and Kate Green MP have written to Gavin Williamson calling on the Secretary of State for Education to drop proposals for a catastrophic 50% funding cut to arts subjects at the Higher Education level in England.

Published: 06 May 2021

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MU Expresses Horror at Proposed Halving of Funding for Music at HE in England

The Government has announced that it plans to impose a 50 percent funding cut to “high cost” subjects at higher education (HE) in England, including music. This is because music and the arts are not among its “strategic priorities”. Members are encouraged to respond to their consultation.

Published: 30 April 2021

A young musician is working on a keyboard with a microphone, speakers and computer set up in front of them. There is warm but dark lighting.

The Copyright Directive

In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment.

Published: 26 April 2021

We've Launched a Disabled Musicians Membership

We launched our new Disabled Musicians Membership this week, with the intention of recruiting, retaining and helping to level the playing field for disabled musicians.

Published: 16 April 2021

A woman is working on a laptop computer. She's wearing earphones and smiling broadly.

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

After more than a decade, the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) has closed its live training programme – following the Government’s decision to pull all unionlearn funding. However, their digital learning online centre will remain online.

Published: 01 April 2021

Laptop, pencils, an orange, a phone charger and mobile phone, and an open notebook on a desk.

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

We’re planning to launch a comprehensive package of webinars for members preparing to return to their careers – but we want to hear from you first, so that we can provide the most appropriate support possible.

Published: 01 April 2021

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Subscription Holiday Scheme Extended Further

We have extended our subscription holiday scheme for a further three months to help members still facing financial hardship due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Published: 04 March 2021

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Join Stand Up To Racism and the TUC by Taking Online Action on Thursday 18 February

The TUC and Stand Up To Racism have called for a day of mobilisation on Thursday 18 February, using the day to build awareness and participation in preparation for UN Anti Racism Day on 20 March.

Published: 17 February 2021

Photograph of a musician playing an acoustic double bass outdoors. The camera is looking up the double bass' neck from below, and the musician is looking away with a concentrated expression.

Applications For The Next Round of HMUK’s Do It Differently Fund Have Opened

Help Musicians UK (HMUK) have opened their Do It Differently Fund for another round of applications on 15 February, offering support for professional musicians of all genres and disciplines.

Published: 17 February 2021

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Power Up Initiative Launched to Support Black Music Creators

Power Up is a new ambitious, long-term initiative which will support Black music creators and industry professionals and executives, as well addressing anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.

Published: 17 February 2021

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New Definitive Guide to Funding Music Projects in the UK Launched

Remi Harris has launched a new, definitive guide to funding music projects in the UK, which can now be purchased from her website.

Published: 17 February 2021

Photograpgh of a function band from behind, they appear to be playing a gig in a small venue. We can see the back of a guitarist, and two singers standing further from the camera.

Additional £9M in Funding Announced for Scotland’s Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund

The Scottish Government have announced an additional £17.5 million to support creative freelancers and the events sector, including a welcome £9 million allocation to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund.

Published: 17 February 2021

Photograph of a flute left resting on a duet score, left lying open.

New Summer School Scholarship for Young Composers and Music Creators

Faber Music will be supporting ten young composers and music creators, who face socioeconomic barriers, with bursaries to attend Sound and Music Summer School in 2021.

Published: 11 January 2021

Photograph of a musician performing at an outdoor event. We can only seem them and the neck of their guitar from behind. The sun is setting and the evening lighting is turning on.

Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

Are you applying – or thinking about applying – for Arts Council England music funding? If so, you may want to catch up with a replay of our webinar.

Published: 23 December 2020

Member only Read more about Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

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Second Phase of Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Funding Programme Opens

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (NI) Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme has opened up for a second wave of funding applications, as of Thursday 17 December.

Published: 17 December 2020

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Third Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications

Members are encouraged to use the eligibility check and prepare their evidence in advance of the second phase of the Welsh Freelancer Fund opening at 10:00 am on Monday 23 November.

Published: 20 November 2020

Photograph of a film composer working at a computer with a musical keyboard under the other hand.

New Online Donation Platform for Composers Announced

Sound and Music have received significant funding from the Boltini Trust to lead the development of Music Patron, an ambitious new online platform that will connect composers directly with patrons.

Published: 17 November 2020

Photograph of a musician with a guitar performing outside, their back is to the camera and there are bright green and yellow leaves against a grey sky.

Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund

The Welsh Government announced on Wednesday 11 November that it will be investing a further £10.7m in the Cultural Recovery Fund, including further money for the Freelancer Fund.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of a group of young musicians sat cross legged on the floor, they appear to be rehearsing something and sheet music is spread out on the floor.

Help Musicians Hardship Fund Opens for Third Phase of Applications

The Hardship fund is designed to provide financial support to professional musicians who fall through the gaps of government support or are unable to make ends meet.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of a musician playing guitar on a stage in front of an audience, there are red and orange lights around and behind.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Stability and Renewal Programme Opens

The £7.75m Stability and Renewal Programme is now open to support arts and cultural organisations in Northern Ireland.

Published: 29 October 2020

musicians playing guitar and singing during online concert at home

A Guide to the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ Fund

Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Developing Your Creative Practice Fund.

Published: 26 October 2020

Text reading: We can't leave workers without vital skills in a pandemic: the government must save union learning

Take Action Against Decision to Axe Union Learning Fund

For more than twenty years, the Union Learning Fund has supported trade union learning projects. Now the Government wants to cut its funding – putting the FEU Training programme under threat.

Published: 23 October 2020

Photograph of a flute player, with just the flute and the performers hands visible. Other musicians are blurred in the background.

Eligibility Criteria for Creative Scotland Hardship Fund Announced

Applications for the £5m Hardship Fund will open for creative freelancers in Scotland at 12:00 pm on Monday 26 October.

Published: 22 October 2020

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Further Funding for Individuals in Northern Ireland Announced

Department for Communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced that a further £3m has been allocated to the Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) for distribution to individuals in the arts and creative industries.

Published: 19 October 2020

A white man in a wheelchair is indoors, performing in what appears to be his home on a keyboard, while leaning over to type something into his laptop.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Music Introducing on Saturday night about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and ways that musicians can keep creating and working.

Published: 29 September 2020

Photograph of the Parliament buildings of Northern Ireland, also referred to as Stormont. The photo is in Golden Hour with a beautiful sunrise sky in the background.

£29 Million Allocated to the Arts and Council Sector in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Executive has allocated £29 million to help the arts and cultural sectors in Northern Ireland endure the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 25 September 2020

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grant.

Published: 14 September 2020

Scottish Government Opens Hardship Fund for the Newly Self Employed

As part of its second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, the Scottish Government have put £34M behind a hardship fund for those due to miss out on UK Government funding due to being newly self-employed.

Published: 04 May 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 April 2020

Applications Open for New Coronavirus Hardship Fund for MU Members

In response to the widespread cancellation of work that has hit our profession as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have taken the decision to set up a £1M hardship fund that members with genuine and pressing hardship can apply to.

Published: 22 March 2020

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Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

Reconsider Proposed Catastrophic 50% Funding Cut MPs Tell Secretary of State

MU Expresses Horror at Proposed Halving of Funding for Music at HE in England

The Copyright Directive

We've Launched a Disabled Musicians Membership

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

Subscription Holiday Scheme Extended Further

Join Stand Up To Racism and the TUC by Taking Online Action on Thursday 18 February

Applications For The Next Round of HMUK’s Do It Differently Fund Have Opened

Power Up Initiative Launched to Support Black Music Creators

New Definitive Guide to Funding Music Projects in the UK Launched

Additional £9M in Funding Announced for Scotland’s Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund

New Summer School Scholarship for Young Composers and Music Creators

Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

Second Phase of Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Funding Programme Opens

Third Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications

New Online Donation Platform for Composers Announced

Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund

Help Musicians Hardship Fund Opens for Third Phase of Applications

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Stability and Renewal Programme Opens

A Guide to the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ Fund

Take Action Against Decision to Axe Union Learning Fund

Eligibility Criteria for Creative Scotland Hardship Fund Announced

Further Funding for Individuals in Northern Ireland Announced

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

£29 Million Allocated to the Arts and Council Sector in Northern Ireland

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Scottish Government Opens Hardship Fund for the Newly Self Employed

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

Applications Open for New Coronavirus Hardship Fund for MU Members