Arts Council England

Music Creators Growth Fund

Arts Council England's Music Creators Growth Fund, part of its new Music Growth Package, gives grants of £10,000 to £20,000 directly to established music creators (artists, bands, collectives, composers, DJs, producers and songwriters) working in new music, to help them take a significant step forward in their careers. It is for professionals, not community music: applicants need at least three years' active practice, at least £5,000 music-creation income in one of the last three financial years, and evidence of professional achievement in three categories. At least 25% of the total budget must be cash match funding. Round One closes on 29 October 2026 and Round Two runs 6 January to 3 February 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £10,000 – £20,000
Closes in: 11 days left; 29 October
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Music creators working in new music (original music recently or newly created or performed by living, UK-based artists): artists, artist collectives, bands, groups (small ensembles such as duos, trios and quartets), composers, DJs, producers and songwriters, developing their music for intended commercial exploitation
Applicants can be individuals, sole traders, micro, small or medium companies (Companies Act 2006 definitions), or unincorporated groups with a governing document; a band or group makes one application and the criteria apply to the group as a whole
An organisation can only apply if it exists solely to manage or advance one specific named music creator
All applicants must be based in the UK, have a UK bank account in the application name (organisations need two authorised signatories), have an accountable person aged 18 or over, and if a limited company have a UK registered office
Applicants must have earned at least £5,000 from music creation (not teaching or other work) in a full financial year within the last three; have at least three years' active music creation practice with work publicly shared, released, commissioned, performed, broadcast or licensed; have professional support (manager, publisher, label, agent or lawyer) or explain why not; and evidence at least three achievements from separate categories in the last three years (e.g. a commission, a headline performance at a large venue or festival stage, a significant tour, a commercial release on a chart-eligible platform, chart placing, editorial or radio playlisting, significant airplay, sync placements, press coverage, industry awards or nominations)
Paid-for placements and pay-to-play evidence do not count
The five-year window can be used for time away such as parental leave or illness
Not eligible: creators with under three years' experience; third parties, companies, managers or representatives applying on behalf of artists; artists signed to a major label deal; anyone awaiting a…

What it funds

Activities that support the music creator's own development and help them take a significant step forward in their career, which could include:

Creating, developing and recording new music, including writing, collaboration, rehearsal, recording, mixing, mastering and other creative and production activity
Releasing and promoting new music, including marketing, PR, digital promotion, content creation and audience development activity
Domestic touring and showcasing, including associated travel, accommodation and other costs
Networking and market development, including attendance at showcase festivals, conferences and 'go and see' activity
Early-stage international market development activity, including showcase opportunities, strategic international touring, travel, accommodation and visas
Reasonable contributions towards your own time, where proportionate, clearly linked to the activity and value for money
Business and skills development, including mentoring, developing your professional team and strategic planning
Developing income from existing music, including catalogue marketing, self-publishing and sync licensing for work created within the last three years
Environmental sustainability activity, such as lower-carbon touring models, sustainable production approaches and greener supply chains
Essential equipment, software or other assets (not exceeding 25% of the total budget)

activity can last up to 18 months and must not start before the round's decision date. Touring applications must show a track record of live performance in a range of locations, and at least 50% of proposed tour dates must be promoter-booked with confirmed fees or guarantees. International activity needs an established track record in the UK or the target market.

What it will not fund

Activities that do not focus on new music
Activities where cash match funding is less than 25% of the total budget
Equipment, software or other asset purchases totalling more than 25% of the total budget
Initiatives where artificial intelligence (AI) is the primary mechanism for creating new music
Production or equipment costs for recording podcasts, interviews or other spoken word content for radio, TV or film
Capital costs, including land or buildings, construction works, building improvements and major equipment purchases
Vehicle purchase
Activities whose primary purpose is to generate profits for private distribution, or where profits are not reinvested in line with the fund's aims
Costs towards formal education, including assessed coursework, tuition fees or student living costs
Activity focused on children and young people, community or amateur music making, social justice, or health and wellbeing
Costs already supported through the Music Growth Fund, the Early Career Promoter Fund, the International Showcase Fund or the Music Export Growth Scheme
Multi-disciplinary work where music is not the main artform
Re-applications for the same activity where Arts Council England feedback has not been fully addressed
Previously funded events or activities that cannot show clear progression, growth or development
Carbon offsetting or carbon removal payments
Costs already incurred before the decision (no retrospective funding)

How to apply

Read the guidance in full
Create or check your applicant profile on Arts Council England's grants management system; new profiles take up to 10 working days to validate and you cannot start the application until the profile is approved
Prepare and submit your application through the grants system by the round deadline (Round One: 29 October 2026; Round Two: 6 January to 3 February 2027)
Arts Council England checks eligibility within ten working days of the deadline, then a national staff panel decides against potential for growth and effective use of funds, with balancing criteria for geography, genre and underrepresented people
If successful, accept the terms and conditions, submit bank details and complete a baseline survey; grants are paid in two instalments (normally 90% and 10%) with a final activity report

a new profile may not be validated in time for Round One, so register as early as possible. An offline application form and guidance webinars are linked from the page.

Have ready

Completed application form on the grants system, including a balanced budget and activity timeline
One music example that best represents your work (a weblink to audio or video is accepted)
Three pieces of evidence of professional experience, one from each of three separate achievement categories (weblink or PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or JPEG attachment)
Details of your professional team and partners, with a contact email for each and whether their support is confirmed or expected

touring applicants may be asked for confirmation of promoter deals as a payment condition.

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.