The Hub to Hold Free Day of Events to Support Mental Health Creative consultancy, The Hub, are marking World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October, by holding a day of free online events. Published: 01 October 2020 Read more about The Hub to Hold Free Day of Events to Support Mental Health
Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London London based online music studio directory, MusicWise, are offering members a 10% discount on their first studio booking – quoting our exclusive discount code. Published: 01 October 2020 Read more about Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London
Government Rebuked in Parliament Over Coronavirus Rules Boris Johnson has been repeatedly criticised for a lack of clarity in rules and guidance aimed at tackling the pandemic – making things even more difficult for musicians who are trying to piece work together during this difficult time. Published: 30 September 2020 Read more about Government Rebuked in Parliament Over Coronavirus Rules
Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland We’re publishing an open letter in response to the recent announcement from the Northern Irish Executive that effectively bans live music in Northern Ireland. Published: 29 September 2020 Read more about Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland
Ask Your MLAs to Support Musicians During the Covid-19 Pandemic Music is a crucial part of the creative economy in Northern Ireland. Live music is worth £70m in GVA and generates £8m in music tourism. But all this is on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with real consequences for musicians. Published: 29 September 2020 Read more about Ask Your MLAs to Support Musicians During the Covid-19 Pandemic
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 Read more about Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19
Mask Wearing and Performances: What Are the Rules Updated – mask wearing indoors is now a requirement in many situations across the UK. For musicians in England this no longer includes when performing. Published: 28 September 2020 Read more about Mask Wearing and Performances: What Are the Rules
£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 Read more about £29 Million Allocated to the Arts and Council Sector in Northern Ireland
Online Event Examining the History of Racism in British Music Open to All The event, which will involve a screening of 'The RE:IMI UK Music Industry And Racism' video and presentations by music industry organisation representatives, will run online on Monday 28 September. Published: 25 September 2020 Read more about Online Event Examining the History of Racism in British Music Open to All
Highlighting That Musicians Deserve Better In the Performers’ Alliance All Party Parliamentary Group this morning, we highlighted how yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor has left many musicians feeling abandoned. Published: 25 September 2020 Read more about Highlighting That Musicians Deserve Better
Members in Wales Urged to Apply to Freelance Fund The Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund – £53 million of support for arts and culture in relation to Covid-19 – includes a specific Freelancer Fund with £7m of funding. Published: 25 September 2020 Read more about Members in Wales Urged to Apply to Freelance Fund
Chancellor Responds to Intense Union Lobbying for Additional Job Support Assistance The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today responded to heavy pressure from trade unions including the MU to extend financial support for workers. Published: 24 September 2020 Read more about Chancellor Responds to Intense Union Lobbying for Additional Job Support Assistance
Coronavirus Presses Mute Button on Music Industry Our latest Covid-19 impact poll reveals that 34% of musicians are considering abandoning their career in music, while 37% are not sure. Published: 22 September 2020 Read more about Coronavirus Presses Mute Button on Music Industry
New Statistics Showing Pandemics Effect on Musicians Gain Media Coverage News sources such as The Guardian and BBC Breakfast have reported on our findings that show one-third of professional British musicians are considering giving up their careers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Published: 22 September 2020 Read more about New Statistics Showing Pandemics Effect on Musicians Gain Media Coverage
New Covid-19 Restrictions: Key Points for Musicians Further Covid-19 restrictions for England and Scotland have been announced today with details for Wales and Northern Ireland to come in the next few days. Published: 22 September 2020 Read more about New Covid-19 Restrictions: Key Points for Musicians
Singing, Brass and Woodwind Restrictions Relaxed in Scotland New guidance from the Scottish Government means that singers, and brass and woodwind players, can rehearse in groups, provided certain conditions are met. Published: 18 September 2020 Read more about Singing, Brass and Woodwind Restrictions Relaxed in Scotland
Brexit – where are we now? Brexit is back on the agenda in Parliament this week as the Government brought in new legislation, in the form of the Internal Market Bill. What does this mean for you? MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez takes a look. Published: 18 September 2020 Read more about Brexit – where are we now?
Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take Survey on Family Life During Covid-19 Campaigning organisation Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) are investigating the impact of Covid-19 on people with parenting and caring responsibilities – help them gather more information by completing this brief survey. Published: 18 September 2020 Read more about Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take Survey on Family Life During Covid-19
ATG Confirms That Any Staff Called to Work Will Now be Paid In an update to our story on ATG calling for singers, musicians and other performers to work for free at their venue – the theatre organisation has now confirmed that musicians will be paid for their performances. Published: 17 September 2020 Read more about ATG Confirms That Any Staff Called to Work Will Now be Paid
Q&A From #AskTheMU Streaming Special Now Available to Read Online We hosted a special Q&A with MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies on Wednesday 16 September, and it’s now available to read online. Published: 17 September 2020 Read more about Q&A From #AskTheMU Streaming Special Now Available to Read Online
Looking to Reopen on a Larger Scale, a Lobbying Update Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how the MU is backing Government explorations into lessening social distancing for the live sector, and a moonshot audience-testing plan. Published: 17 September 2020 Read more about Looking to Reopen on a Larger Scale, a Lobbying Update
Further Guidance on the New Restrictions We’ve produced some further guidance following the Government’s new restrictions – however we are continuing to seek further information from DCMS on how this will impact on our members’ work. Published: 16 September 2020 Read more about Further Guidance on the New Restrictions
Organisations Join Up to Promote Seven Inclusive Principles for Disabled People in Arts & Culture Several campaigning cultural organisations have joined together to create a new guide for the arts and entertainment sectors to support disability inclusion. Published: 15 September 2020 Read more about Organisations Join Up to Promote Seven Inclusive Principles for Disabled People in Arts & Culture
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 Read more about A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant
Application Feedback and Guidance for ACE National Lottery Project Grants We’re offering advice from an independent funding advisor on Arts Council England (ACE) National Lottery Project Grant applications, on top of our two recent webinars and a new article with detailed guidance on app Published: 14 September 2020 Read more about Application Feedback and Guidance for ACE National Lottery Project Grants
Sensoria Online Scoring Contest Announced The SensoriaPro Scoring Contest is a unique opportunity for composers to create music to a film trailer/clip and receive feedback from a panel of industry experts. Published: 14 September 2020 Read more about Sensoria Online Scoring Contest Announced
Members’ Discount on Morrish Solicitors’ Family Law Services Morrish Solicitors are offering union members and their families in England and Wales a 15% discount on their family law services. Published: 11 September 2020 Read more about Members’ Discount on Morrish Solicitors’ Family Law Services
Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done Member and orchestral, theatre and chamber musician Louise Braithwaite discusses the effect of coronavirus and misinformation on wind players, and the wider industry. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done
Indoor Performances in England Can Continue Under New Restrictions The MU has been seeking to clarify the new rules for England in the past 24 hours. We’ve had confirmation that indoor performances in Covid-19 secure venues will be able to continue, but are awaiting further information. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Indoor Performances in England Can Continue Under New Restrictions
Updated: Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo What artists need to know about the suspension of the new public charge rules and maintenance of visa status. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Updated: Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo
Resources for World Suicide Prevention Day Thursday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. Many useful resources have been shared on twitter, and below is a round-up that some members may find useful. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Resources for World Suicide Prevention Day
Scotland Announces Six Person Restriction The Scottish Government has announced that gatherings will be limited to a maximum of six people from two households from Monday. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Scotland Announces Six Person Restriction
New Rules for Social Gatherings in England Announced We are awaiting further details on what the Government’s new restrictions on social gatherings could mean for musicians in England. Published: 09 September 2020 Read more about New Rules for Social Gatherings in England Announced
Take This Survey on Developing a Railcard for Musicians Complete this brief survey to help campaign group Music Declares Emergency in their campaign to create a musician's railcard and encourage sustainable touring. Published: 09 September 2020 Read more about Take This Survey on Developing a Railcard for Musicians
Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special The MU is delighted to host a special #FixStreaming edition of its #AskTheMU Twitter Q&A with MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies. Published: 08 September 2020 Read more about Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special
The Government Must Do More – Help Us Make the Case Despite constant pressure from the MU, the Government’s response to the issues that the coronavirus pandemic is causing for our members remains woefully inadequate. Published: 03 September 2020 Read more about The Government Must Do More – Help Us Make the Case
Making Online Music Education Accessible and Inclusive Joy Stacey of Drake Music summarises the key findings from Drake Music’s research in to how we can make online music education accessible and inclusive. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Making Online Music Education Accessible and Inclusive
Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England Visiting music teachers may return to schools, and ensemble rehearsals and performances can resume as long as health and safety measures are in place. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England
Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens' MU members can now get a 10% discount on 'gig screens' designed for live events. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens'
Funding For the Arts Sector Announced for Scotland The Scottish Government have announced a £59m funding package for the culture and heritage sector to protect jobs and support the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Funding For the Arts Sector Announced for Scotland