PRS Foundation announces the second round of promoters supported through the Early Career Promoters Fund
- Since Round 1 almost £100K in support has been issued to nearly 40 early career promoters.
- 65% of selected grantees (11 out of 17) are women and gender-diverse promoters
- Deadlines to apply are rolling each month with the next deadline on 17th September, 2024 at 6:00pm
We’re excited to announce the second round of promoters receiving the targeted Early Career Promoter Fund, supported by Arts Council England using strategic funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The 17 early career promoters, selected for support by a network of specialist music industry advisors, are:
Nathan Simms – To promote a series of events showcasing dub/reggae music and soundsystem culture at grassroot venues in Hull
Adam Romo – To run and promote a proof-of-concept event at XOYO, London that will lead to a future residency at the venue.
Niamh Bramley – To promote four folk/americana focused shows at four different venues in York,with each show being suited to the venue.
Anthony Larbi – A “Glocal” live music, networking & tech talk event curated by a South London based Black led organisation that represents global majority youth voices.
Paul Lamont – To promote excellent carefully curated diverse in terms of talent, live music in my underserved Sandwell community of Bearwood, accessible to all.
Hannah Partridge – To put on four gigs regionally, two in Devon and two in Cornwall.
Natalie Nicholas – To Promote two female/non-binary headlined techno/D&B events in Cornwall and developing work to increase diversity and safe spaces in a men dominated local scene
Anna Ross – 3 monthly events at the Fox & Newt in collaboration with other promoters, an anniversary show in November and monthly gigs Jan-July.
Carrick Moran – To create an all day festival that focuses around singer/songwriters and poets.
Jessica McDonald – To launch a new themed dyke club night mixing drag performance and DJing focusing on female led bass centric electronic music (think Jaguar Bingham)
Gwyneth Bradbury – To create: 3rd edition of La Rumba; relevant intrument and percussion workshops, regional band performances
Michal Sobkiewicz – inklingroom brings a fusion of experimental club music and contemporary dance to Bristol’s Strange Brew with an evening of boundary-pushing music from queer artists.
Niomi O’Rourke – The programming of 3 Sahāya Sessions events at Doña featuring 9 artists
Oliver Dudok van Heel – To Increase the number of gigs, the audience numbers and pay those who make things possible: artists, staff, engineers, to ensure the viability of Hilltop Sessions
Rheana Forrester – To grow the regular monthly showcase. Expand to new locations (regionally). Expand the number of events each month and start ‘in conversation with’ style events.
Teah Lewis – Camp Boxie – an artist development opportunity leading to live performances in a safe and positive environment
The Early Career Promoter Fund recognises the vital role independent promoters play in supporting the talent pipeline across England and within the nighttime economy, and offers grant funding and capacity building support for individual promoters, with the aim of bolstering the grassroots music ecosystems.
Grants of up to £3,500 are available to support a range of activity, including:
- The booking, programming and promotion of gigs, concerts, club nights, showcases, tours and other performances
- Costs associated with those activities (including venue hire, production, artist and/or DJ fees, crew fees, administration and other related costs)
- Capacity building (including mentoring, coaching, shadowing, workshops, masterclasses, and other skill building and networking opportunities)
- Other expenditure which helps grantees to programme a diverse range of artists, develop new audiences and build their skills
The fund aims to help emerging promoters to do what they do best – book and promote shows to develop scenes, support artists and DJs and to reach and engage audiences locally, regionally, and nationally, and build sustainable careers in the grassroots music sector. Those receiving support will be able to step up to book and promote talent at a scale beyond their current level, and build their capacity, skills and networks.
Managed by PRS Foundation and funded by Arts Council England using Supporting Grassroots Music funding from DCMS, the Early Career Promoter Fund also aims to help address underrepresentation, ensuring support reaches a diverse range of promoters, and proactively encouraging grantees to support a diverse range of artists and music genres nationwide. The fund will run until March 2025 with rolling monthly deadlines and an expectation to support more than 200 promoters with grants of up to £3,500.
Promoters can find out more information and apply for Early Career Promoter Fund support from PRS Foundation’s website.
This announcement of supported promoters is from applicants to the 15th July, 2024 deadline. Successful grantees from subsequent deadlines will be announced over PRS Foundation’s social media over the coming months. The next deadline to submit an application will be Tuesday 17th September 2024 at 6:00pm. Deadlines for the Early Career Promoter Fund are monthly and are listed on PRS Foundation’s website.