Ayak, Billen Ted and Sophie Ackroyd among the latest songwriters and producers to receive Hitmaker fund support

• Six behind the scenes songwriters and producers to receive vital support from the ground-breaking Hitmaker fund
• Support will be used for creative and professional development activities such as attending writing camps and equipment to childcare and studio costs

Congratulations to the latest producers and songwriters to receive support from the ground-breaking Hitmaker fund!  The supported songwriters and producers are:

Gethin Pearson – Writing camps

Billen Ted – Writing camps and childcare

Theo and Matthew Weedon – Writing camps and equipment

Ayak – Time to create, purchase of equipment & studio hire

Sillkey – Travel costs, studio hire and equipment

Sophie Ackroyd – Time to create, writing camps and equipment upgrade

Ben Wynter, Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry Funds) at PRS Foundation said,

“Huge congratulations to all six of the songwriters and producers selected in this latest round of Hitmaker. We’re delighted to be leading the way in supporting behind the scenes music creators, particularly at this unprecedented time, to be able to develop their careers. This community of songwriters and producers plays an important role as the engine room of creativity for the music industry, making this type of career support vital.”

At a time when it is becoming harder for up and coming behind the scenes creatives to earn sufficient funds to forge a sustainable career in the music business, PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker fund serves to address the need to support these creators who are the bedrock of the modern music industry.

Hitmaker supported songwriter and producer Sophie Ackroyd said

“The Hitmaker Fund is an absolute game-changer for me. There is no other situation in the industry where I would be given the opportunity to invest in my career in this way. It will put me in the best possible position to reach my goals and make the best music I can. With the help of this funding, I will be able to continue to work with artists, and book more co-writes, sessions and collaborations. The work PRS Foundation are doing is a lifeline for songwriters and producers on the cusp of breaking through.”

Hitmaker support offers songwriters, producers and music creators working behind the scenes in popular music genres to further develop their careers and writing/production credits with grants of up to £10,000. Under the previous guise of the pilot Writer Producer Fund, Hitmaker has supported talent that has worked with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Stormzy, Kylie and many more.

Additionally, supported songwriters and producers have developed into a community of behind the scenes music creators, through Hitmaker events and a unique online network designed to connect talent and encourage collaboration.

PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker fund is open to UK based ‘behind the scenes’ songwriters, producers and music creators that have had at least three commercially exploited works, whether performed live, received media coverage, radio play, streams or released via commercial channels.

Applicants can apply for support for:

• Time to create
• Training / Skills courses at places such as Point Blank / SSE
• Creative / Professional development
• Studio hire
• Purchase of equipment / software / hardware (covers up to 25% of costs)
• Tracking
• UK writing space rental / lease
• Maternity leave and childcare
• International activity that could build profile and benefit creative development

The next deadline for applications to be submitted by is 28 September 2020 at 6pm.

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