The Performing Rights Society's Women Make Music programme supports the development of outstanding women, trans and non-binary songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career. The fund can support projects by women, trans and non-binary songwriters, composers, artists, bands and performers who are writing their own music.
The aims of Women Make Music are:
- To break down assumptions and stereotypes within the music industry by encouraging role models for future generations.
- To raise awareness of the gender gap and to ensure that women are aware that support for new music is available to them.
- To increase the profile of women, trans and non-binary artists who are creating new music in the UK, and
- Encourage women, trans and non-binary artists who may otherwise not have applied for PRS Foundation funding to do so.
The following are considered by PRS Foundation to be Women Make Music music-creators:
- Songwriters.
- Composers, and
- Artists, bands, producers and performers who are involved in the composition/writing process.
Women Make Music offers grants of up to £5,000 for applicants that meet the following criteria:
- Be based in the UK, applications can be made on behalf of UK based music creators by their representatives such as a manager, record label, publisher etc.
- Aged 18 or over, unless represented by an adult with a valid DBS check.
- Have a track record of over 18 months.
- Music Creators cannot be previous recipients of The PPL Momentum Fund, The Writer Producer Fund, Hitmaker or the Composers Fund.
- Music Creators not signed to major record label.
- Music Creators cannot be in full-time education, unless an exception is made by the Foundation’s Grants Team, and
- Music Creators must either be a member of PRS or in a position to join.
Grants can be used for:
- Creation of new music.
- Creative residency costs.
- Fees to creative collaborators.
- Music Creator fee (to cover your time and work).
- Promotion and marketing (but only when there is also an element of creation and/or performance included in the funding bid).
- Recording and release, and
- Touring and live performances featuring new UK music.
Further details, guidance and information about how to apply to Women Make Music can be found on the PRS Foundation website, where details of the Foundation’s other programmes and deadlines can also be found.