The PRS Foundation have now officially launched their ‘Power Up’ initiative. The new long-term initiative will support Black music creators and industry professionals and executives, and aims to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.
Set up and managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with YouTube Music, Beggars Group and the Black Music Coalition, the initiative is also backed by many other organisations offering a wide range of support.
The PRS Foundation say the aims of Power Up are to break down barriers to create:
- A fairer, more equitable music industry for Black creators and industry professionals
- Better representation in all sectors of the UK music industry
- To support innovative and exciting Black talent to create exceptional new music in all genres and at all career levels
- To amplify the work of Black creators and industry professionals to accelerate change
They will do this through their Power Up Participant Programme which is is designed to elevate exciting Black music creators and industry professionals and address barriers for those at crucial career stages.
Creating a long-term network across the UK, each year the Participant Programme will support:
20 x Black music creators – artists, songwriters, composers and producers who are involved in the creative process and may be working in any genre, based anywhere in the UK.
20 x Black executives and industry professionals – industry professionals working in any sector of the music industry, anywhere in the UK. This includes employees and entrepreneurs, freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Participants will power up through:
- Grant support of up to £15,000
- Capacity building and mentoring
- Access to partners
- Marketing support
- Taking part in the Power Up network
Eligible participants can apply from February 10th until March 10th.
For information on eligibility and full information about the Power Up initiative visit: https://prsfoundation.com/powerup
