Help Musicians re-opens 360 degree Do It Differently Fund & announces partnership with the FAC
£60,000 DIY music creators fund announces new Featured Artist Coalition partnership and encourages applications via video submission
(Tuesday 10 September 2019) Help Musicians, the independent music charity, is encouraging independently-driven musicians seeking funding across creative output, business development and health & wellbeing to apply to its Do It Differently Fund, the third round of which opened today.
Created in response to the charity's research into the need for full package of support among DIY artists, the fund provides each awardee up to £3,000 towards creative output, and a further £2,000 towards one-to-one business guidance, led by ThinkMusic, and wellbeing tools from Help Musicians and BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine).
Help Musicians is also very pleased to announce its new partnership with the Featured Artist Coalition (FAC), the dynamic organisation providing support, advice and education to empower artist entrepreneurs. The partnership will see all Do It Differently awardees, including from those from the two previous rounds, receive fully subsidised annual PRO membership, featuring benefits such as: free legal advice, free admission to all FAC Artist:Entrepreneur (A:E) events, sample management contracts, exclusive networking opportunities and much more.
As a charity committed to accessibility, Help Musicians is especially highlighting the opportunity for artists to apply for the Do It Differently Fund via video application. The organisation recognises that form filling can, for many different reasons, be a barrier to entry for some and is spotlighting video applications as an opportunity for artists to get creative and apply in a way that works for them. Examples of previous successful video applications can be viewed on the Help Musicians blog here.
Working in partnership with BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine), ThinkMusic and now also the FAC to champion the UK’s exceptional DIY talent, the Do It Differently Fund provides the most comprehensive suite of support yet for independently-driven music creators. Nearly 100 musicians have already benefited from the Fund since it launched in late 2018, demonstrating the need for a holistic approach to funding for independent UK music creators. Claire Gevaux, Help Musicians UK Director of Programme, said: “The success of the Do It Differently Fund, developed from the understanding of musicians, has proved that independent music creators have a real appetite for a well-rounded approach to funding support that addresses artists’ creative needs, gives them tools to build themselves as a business and practical tips towards maintaining good health. The nearly 100 individual musicians who have been supported by the fund have all embraced the need to work hard to maintain a balance between these three aspects of being a musician in the 21st century. We are always looking forward and reviewing our support packages, and we’re thrilled to enhance Do It Differently with the addition of Featured Artist Coalition PRO membership. The FAC’s support for DIY creators is a vital service that is a natural fit for our beneficiaries, especially the entrepreneurial applicants we see through this fund. Similarly, ensuring our funds are accessible is of paramount importance to us and it’s why we continue to encourage video applications, as well as written.
Full application pack and criteria available here
Application link for Do it Differently Fund here
Do It Differently round 3 is open from September 10 and closes October 7. Applications will be open to independently-driven, emerging and professional musicians of all genres and disciplines who are controlling one or more aspects of their career, for example, self-managing, self-releasing or self-producing. Creators may be solo instrumentalists, composers, vocalists, singer songwriters, producers, multidisciplinary artists or bands or ensembles of six members or less. The fund was launched by Help Musicians, following extensive qualitative research into the funding gaps and needs of independent, emerging and professional musicians and offers individuals/bands/ensembles of six member or less a grant of up to £3,000 focused on creative development, plus an optional £2,000 set aside for each successful applicant to go towards business planning and wellbeing services available directly from the charity and its industry partners.
For all enquiries and full guidelines please visit: www.doitdifferentlyfund.org.uk
About Help Musicians
Help Musicians is an independent charity, with an extraordinary history. For nearly 100 years, it has provided a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians of all ages, at any stage of their career, from times of great need to times of opportunity, providing a lifetime of support when it is needed most. The charity is uniquely placed to take a personalised approach with each individual supported, through its integrated programme that offers Creative Development and Health & Welfare services. In 2018, Help Musicians 2018 saw a 67% increase in demand for its services across both creative development and health and welfare. The need among musicians is bigger than ever before and this trend is set to continue. Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of even more musicians by growing reach and becoming even more national in the coming years.
The charity can do more through collaboration and builds strong relationships within the music industry, the health sector and beyond to promote and advocate for musicians’ wellbeing, mental health, hearing health, career progression and more. With a research-led approach, Help Musicians shares insights, knowledge, resources and best practice, while developing preventative support and initiatives to sustain careers and ultimately improve working conditions for musicians across the sector. The charity is passionate about a world where musicians thrive.
To support Help Musicians click here, email , call 0207 239 9100, or donate just £3 today by texting MUSIC1 to 70331.