Grant News
Arts Council England has launched the Music Growth Package, a £45 million investment programme to support artists, venues, businesses and organisations across England’s music sector.
The package will run from 2026 to 2029 and is designed to strengthen grassroots music, support talent development and help music businesses grow. It is expected to support more than 2,000 projects and at least 40,000 artists and music professionals.
The programme includes three main funding routes:
- Sector Growth Programme, offering £20,000 to £100,000 for membership-based, not-for-profit music sector organisations to develop their workforce and grow their subsectors. The deadline for applications is on 20 August 2026.
- Music Growth Fund, offering £1,000 to £100,000 for festivals, promoters, managers, publishers, labels, recording studios, rehearsal spaces and grassroots venues. The first deadline is 3rd September 2026.
- Music Creators Growth Fund, offering £10,000 to £20,000 for artists, bands, producers and artist collectives. Full guidance will be available in September 2026.
Music Growth Package investment also includes the following programmes that support different stages of music sector growth.
- The Early Career Promoter Fund (ECPF), delivered by PRS Foundation for Arts Council England, offering grant funding and capacity-building support to independent promoters.
- The International Showcase Fund (ISF), delivered by PRS Foundation, which offers grants for international export opportunities for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers.
- The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), delivered by BPI, which provides match-funding grant support to representatives of UK-based music acts linked to international touring and export activity.
The fund will also connect with existing music support programmes, including the Early Career Promoter Fund, International Showcase Fund and Music Export Growth Scheme. Applications are being opened in stages, with further guidance published through Arts Council England.