BBC Performing Arts Fund: Music

Musicians, choirs and orchestras from across the UK will be eligible for grants totalling £450,000 from the BBC Performing Arts Fund this year, as the charity focuses its activities solely on music. The PAF changed its strategy in 2011, so that it now supports just one area of the arts each year. In previous years, the charity has run a number of schemes covering music, theatre and dance alongside each other. In 2011, the charity focused on dance, and this year it will support music, with two brand new initiatives. In 2013 the priority will be theatre.

The first of these is the Community Music scheme, which will see grants of up to £5,000 awarded to “grassroots music groups”, such as choirs, bands and orchestras, from across the UK. These grants are designed to help the groups carry out training, attract new audiences and encourage new members. Grants of up to £10,000 will also be awarded to groups wanting to commission new music.

The second scheme will be the Music Fellowships scheme, which will accept applications from August, will support individuals in the early stages of their music careers. The grants will enable them to take placements within existing music organisations.

The PAF is funded by money raised through phone voting on BBC series, and has announced it will be receiving revenue from public voting on the new BBC1 show The Voice.

For more information visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund/