20 Music Week 15.08.14 VIEWPOINT FUNDING SCHEMES IF YOU DON’T ASK... How to put together an effective application for the BPI’s Music Export Growth Scheme
FUNDING n BY CHRIS TAMS, BPI DIRECTOR
OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERSHIP Y
ou’re a British independent music company, you’ve got
a great act doing well in the
UK and you’ve got a record to promote overseas. There’s only one slight concern – how to pay for the touring and promotion. After repeated conversations with our independent member labels at the BPI about the investment required to break an act internationally, we decided to take action. Last year, at a meeting with the Prime Minister,
the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) was established to provide much-needed financial support to independent music companies looking to promote artists in international markets. The Scheme is not so much aimed at grassroots talent that is still making a name for itself – rather, it is there to serve new or more established artists who are on the verge of a tipping point and are looking to capitalise on success achieved in the UK as a springboard into overseas markets. Through our strong partnership with UK
Trade & Investment, we secured £2.5 million to distribute to businesses over a two-and-a-half year period. With support from the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the Music Publishers Association (MPA), the Welsh Music Foundation (WMF), Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) and the Music Managers Forum (MMF), we’ve attracted and sifted through more than 250 applications since the turn of the year. This week we’ve just announced the successful
recipients from our third round of applications. A number of artists from across the UK have benefitted from the funding including Imogen Heap, Metronomy, Holy Mountain, The Answer, Drenge, Public Service Broadcasting, Afrikan Boy and many more. In total we’ve awarded more than £750,000 to support the careers of 43 acts.
ABOVE
Funded: Charli T, Ghetts and Public Service Broadcasting are just three of the 43 acts that have benefitted from the BPI’s Music Export Growth scheme
If you’re considering applying to the Scheme,
here are some helpful tips to follow and common pitfalls to avoid.
1 Follow our three-step guide
Before applying to MEGS, take time to consider if your artist is at the right stage
of their career to be awarded the funding. We recommend you follow this three-step process. Step 1: Apply for Momentum funding: If your act is just starting out and looking for money to build a fan base in the UK you should first approach the PRS for Music Foundation to secure Momentum funding. Step 2: Apply for the International Showcase Fund: If you wish to dip your toe in international waters by performing at various international showcases, you should look to the International Showcase Fund also supported by the PRS for Music Foundation. By now your act should be generating a buzz in the UK and growing a fan base overseas. That’s where we at the BPI comes in. Step 3: Apply for Music Export Growth Scheme: The aim of the fund is to help UK independent labels and businesses to promote music around the world.
2 Cross the t’s and dot the i’s
Pay attention to the facts and figures you set out in your application form. The
Selection Panel tends to look more favourably on applications where accurate detail on budgets has been given. If you’re asking for £15,000, provide a clear breakdown of how you would use the funding and how it would benefit the project in question. Remember, you can apply for any amount between £5,000 and £50,000 but you must be realistic with your request.
3 Blow your own trumpet
Tell us as much positive news about your artist or project as you can possibly fit into
the application form. Assume no knowledge on our part. It’s your job to sell the artist and their marketing campaign to the selection panel so include vital stats to strengthen your case. We want
to read about your act’s sales, social media stats, touring history, radio and press traction – throw the kitchen sink at us (not literally!) Remember if it isn’t on the application form don’t expect us to know about it!
4 5 Read the small print
As with all funding schemes, there is eligibility criteria to comply with and terms
and conditions attached. In the case of MEGS, applicants should bear in mind that the money can only be used for new projects, that an award can cover a maximum 70% of a campaign’s expenditure, and that funding cannot be used to pay salaries, company running costs, UK-focused activity or any costs that aren’t solely for the marketing activity in your proposal.
If in doubt, just ask
We know that there is a wealth of talented artists across England, Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Wales and we want to encourage as many strong applications as possible. It’s our job to help you develop your artists and support your business. Guidance for the funding scheme can be found on our website – but if you have questions or require further clarity, call the BPI and I’ll be happy to assist. If MEGS isn’t for you, we can point you in
the direction of other schemes that might be more suitable. Our friends at AIM have partnered with the Start-Up Loans Company to encourage music entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses; Help Musicians UK has pockets of funding for unsigned and emerging musicians being made available through the Emerging Excellence Awards; and at the BPI we have funding to support internships in your company through our partnership with Creative Access and our very own youth initiative, The Big Music Project. Now you know the options available to you,
weigh up which ones might work best for your company and roster of talent and get working on your application. After all - if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
www.musicweek.com
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