Gloucestershire music charity, The Music Works, has been selected as one of the 73 organisations across the UK to receive funding support from PRS Foundation, the charity of music royalty distributor, PRS for Music — as part of its Talent Development Network.
The Talent Development Network combines the PRS Foundation's Open Fund for Organisations and Talent Development Partner's funding initiatives into one multi-year funding scheme.
The initiative — created in 2023 following sector feedback calling for a more sustainable way of supporting talent development across the whole of the UK — offers grants of up to £25,000 per year for up to three years, with money being put towards music creator development programmes.
Grantees can also benefit from being pulled together as part of a UK-wide network, facilitating connections and knowledge and experience sharing.
The Music Works is in good company, with the full list including music venues such as the Roundhouse in London; contemporary jazz record label, Jazz re:freshed; Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast; and concert hall, Bristol Beacon.
The Gloucestershire organisation works with young people in challenging circumstances to assist them in reaching their full potential in music and improve their quality of life.
Announcing the news on LinkedIn, The Music Works said that the 'funding will be used to support emerging artists and creatives across Gloucestershire.'
Joe Frankland, CEO at PRS Foundation, said: 'It’s fantastic to welcome the first cohort of organisations into our new Talent Development Network.
'We know from discussions with the sector how important longer-term support is to enable them to plan more effectively and deliver better talent development programmes for music creators.
'I’m looking forward to the network developing, enabling us to see the gaps we need to address in the next intake of the cohort in 2025 and ensure that no matter what their genre, background or where they are based in the UK, music creators will be able to access support from a Talent Development Network organisation on their doorstep.'
