Music Grants for Individual Singers & Artists – When it comes to launching your career off the ground in the music industry as an independent artist you need to cross several hurdles to overcome all the challenges and be successful. One of the most critical challenges that you have to face as an individual music artist is related to the economic aspects since getting your foot in the door of today’s highly competitive music domain can be a costly endeavor.
Independent musicians and emerging music artists can get funding and launch their music careers by applying for tons of music grants. The best thing about applying for these grants is that you can get a wide range of benefits from financial assistance to covering the cost of recording as well as promoting music in addition to touring and equipment costs. This guide will provide an overview of how you can apply for the best music grants and launch your career.
Highlights of this Post
What Are Music Grants?
Music grants refer to financial assistance programs that are designed for emerging artists, independent musicians and talented singers and becoming recipients of these grant programs will make you stand out from the rest. The objective of these grants is to support artists or groups of artists in the music industry financially, connect them to professionals in the industry, boost their exposure, mentor and guide them in their careers and help them achieve their career goals.
Individuals who are new to the music industry and do not have the backing of a record label or those who are not interested in sharing their artistic direction & and binding legal contracts for the long term with a big record company apply for music grants to cover the expense of recording and releasing as well as promoting their music.
By becoming eligible for music grants funded by a lot of organizations you can record, produce, launch and promote your musical projects. These grants come from different sources for instance government agencies, music organizations, universities, corporations and foundations.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Apply For Music Grants?
Following is the list of general eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to apply for individual artistic grants.
- Must fulfill the age limitation of the program
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States or lawful residents of the state or 0-1 visa holders
- Applicants must demonstrate robust financial need
- Must prove they have done specialization in any medium of music
- Must submit a resume, application form, work samples and artist statements displaying your recent work
- Must make sure your proposal aligns with the objectives and goals of the program
- Must provide a detailed proposal about how your music project will impact the community positively.
How Do I Make A Successful Music Grant Application?
If you are an independent musician looking for funding opportunities then you can apply for tons of music grants that are funded by government agencies, corporations, music associations and foundations.
If you’re applying for music grants then you need to follow the below-mentioned steps to become the recipient of the program.
- Research about the grant criteria, guidelines and objectives thoroughly to tailor your application proposal accordingly
- Articulate your music project goals, mission, artistic vision and the potential impact of your work on the music community clearly
- Provide a concise and well-structured budget detailing how you’re planning to use the grant funds and how the program can help to fund your music project
- Do not forget to showcase your artistic achievements, and track record and emphasize how the grant funding will help you attain new milestones in the music industry.
- Support your application for a music grant award with high-quality samples of your projects and work that align with the proposed goals of the project.
- Finally proofread your application meticulously, support the application with evidence of your track record and submit it before the deadline. Make sure your application reflects your professionalism, passion and connection to the mission of the grant program.
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Government Grants For Musicians
National Endowment For The Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts was founded by the US Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government and awards nearly $4.00 million to support the talent and artwork of eligible artists. The organization has partnered with federal agencies, state art agencies and many organizations to lend financial support to artistic groups or individual artists.
Even though the funding opportunities where the organization is awarded to different artistic organizations and groups they also provide direct financial awards to individual artists through their Literature Fellowships, NEA National Heritage Fellowship, NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship in the folk and traditional arts.
Grants For Jazz And Classical Musicians
BMI Foundation
The BMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports creation, performance in the study of music through scholarship, awards, commission and grants. They award a wide array of grant programs for different genres including grants for classical and jazz musicians.For instance, the BMI Composer Awards are available to music composers below 28 years of age.
The foundation looks for applicants in the classical genre and any instrumentation. Recipients are awarded with cash assistance up to $20,000 annually.
The BMI Future Jazz Master Award is provided to one jazz performer every year from the age of 17 to 24 and provides a cash prize of $5000 in addition to the prestige and recognition that comes with winning the award.
The Charlie Parker Jazz Composition prize by the BMI foundation is an invitation-only reward that is available for jazz musicians as well as performances in different genres. The nominated applicants receive a cash prize of $3000.
Sharon Gewirtz Kids To Concerts
The Sharon Gewirtz Kids To Concerts program is a grant funding available to connect mid-school string students with a classically trained musician. The programs include concert attendance and mentorship and a grant award of $1000 is available to two eligible candidates.
You need to provide a project plan with a funding budget. Special references are given to pre-established string programs that provide meaningful connections between advanced musicians and middle school string players.
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Grants For Emerging Musicians
New Music USA
New Music USA provides financial support to performers, symbols, composers and groups in experimental and contemporary music. The grants help foster innovation and fund different musical projects like musical recording and composition to educational initiatives and performances.
The process of application for this grant is a rigorous one however recipients can get the right financial support, exposure for their musical projects and great recognition.
Foundation For Contemporary Arts
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts was founded in 1963 by individual artists as a way to promote and support their peers and today is one of the most sought-after and prestigious musical grants in the United States.
The foundation provides generous support and financial grants for eligible applicants including smaller grants that range between $500 to $2500 for those who need financial support. If you are an artist and in need of emergency funds to sponsor your ongoing musical project then you can contact this foundation for help.
Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship
A prestigious and sought-after option for musicians who need financial assistance is the Stanford University Fellowship In The Arts Program.
This program comprises a 1-year residency where artists can access top-tier academic as well as artistic resources of Stanford and interact with exposure and fellow musicians in the music industry. The fellowship program comprises a stipend, financial support and collaboration among the selected artists.
Fellowships At Berkeley College Of Music
The Berkeley College of Music awards the Fellowship Program which is one of the most prestigious and sought-after programs that can provide you visibility and exposure if you’re an emerging artist looking for ways to build a successful career in the music industry.
The fellowship program can be competitive and the selection and application procedure can be rigorous but the grant recipients receive a comprehensive package that includes full tuition scholarship, government worship programs, stipends, access to the Berkeley state-of-the-art facilities, interaction with professionals, a platform for artists to grow and gain success in the music industry.
The Canadian Council For The Arts
The Canadian Council for the Arts was established in 1957 and provides funding awards, grants and different useful resources to cultural institutions, emerging artists, as well as a wide variety of cultural and artistic initiatives. The council lends a helping hand to artists that come across different styles and genres and also encourages networking and collaboration.
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Grants For Young Musicians
National Assembly Of State Arts Agency
A nationwide nonprofit organization called the National Assembly of State Arts Agency advocates for the art and also supports local art agents. The organization supports different types of arts including music.
The organization provides resources and workshops to support young musicians. The organization provides cultural youth development programs nationwide with on-demand learning tools and webinars.
ASCAP Foundation
American Society of Composers from Authors and Publishers known as ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization that provides a wide array of grants and funding to young artists.
The foundation is committed to supporting music fans, musicians and the future of music in different ways and so they run several runs, programs, and scholarships for young musicians.
This includes grant programs for musical theater performance types and jazz musicians. The foundation also hosts talent development programs for supporting aspiring positions.
Guitar Center Music Foundation
One of the leading musical instrument retailers nationwide known as Guitar Center provides grants for young musicians so that they can purchase instruments up to $5000. The grants are intended for school as well as music education programs to improve music education throughout the United States of America.
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Grants For Music Education
D’Addario Foundation
The D’Addario Foundation supports music education for young artists in schools with its grants program. It supports programs in various ways for instance buying instruments, long-term help to support music programs etc. You need to submit a letter of enquiry about the programs provided by the foundation and if invited to propose you have to submit a proposal by the deadline.
Mockingbird Foundation
The objective of the Mockingbird Foundation is to support music education in various forms with a focus on providing unique offerings of music education in school. Less than 1% of the grant requests are chosen and the grant amount may vary depending on the offering.
The grants help in program development, instruments, concert experiences etcetera. They support unique programs, support diversity and are innovative in nature. They focus on school music and education.
Associated Chamber Music Players Grant
The Associated Chamber Music Players Grant supports expanding and encouraging the performance of smaller chamber music.
They provide different grants for school-associated programs and the grant range of $2500. You can visit the official website and select the particular grant that you need to apply for.
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Grant For Black Musicians
Artist Project Fund
A $2000 grant award known as the Artist Project Fund is awarded by NBAF to Atlanta area-based artists every year. It is a national nonprofit organization that is committed to supporting and promoting black artists in different areas.
Apart from this, the Artist Project Fund organization also provides Horizon awards every year to eligible black artists. The winners of the award can be from any category including music with a cash award of $10,000. It is important to note that the award is invite only and aspiring artists can’t apply for it.
Black Artist Foundry
An organization known as Black Artists Foundry is committed to providing unrestricted funds, exhibition and studio spaces and the community to thrive for black artists. The organization supports aspiring black artists in different ways.
For instance, the BlackAF Fund is the annual grant of the organization provided for black artists in different mediums. The past winners included fashion designers, dancers, musicians, visual artists and painters.
Black Artists Fund
Black Artists Fund is a Louisville-based organization that is dedicated to supporting and promoting local artists. The organization caused a wide area of programs and events to provide financial support and boost community engagement among artists.
They also provide micro-grant initiatives and different other grants for artists. This is one such grant that is intended specifically for black artists living in the Greater Louisville area.
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Additional Music Grants To Consider
Alice M. Ditson Fund
The Alice M. Ditson Fund was founded in the year 1940 and they have awarded more than 2,000 grants to support contemporary American classical concert music. They mainly offer funds to record projects and aim to bring the music of young people to a wider audience.
Foundation of Contemporary Art
The Contemporary Art Foundation was founded in 1963 by artists to influence and encourage the work of their peers. Recently, they are offering a high amount of grants to the nominated artists. The emergency grants amount varies from $500 to $2,500. Any artist can easily apply for the funding when they are in need.
New Music USA
New Music USA’s aims to support and boost all forms of musical creativity in the United States. They offer funding to support small ensembles and DIY venues, music projects and also help in arranging composer positions in orchestra.
International Music and Art Foundation Grants
The International Music and Art Foundation offers grants to most of the organization so that they can promote advancement and dissemination of visual and performing arts.
The grants are also used for research and preservation purposes related to art and culture. The International Music and Art Foundation is mainly based in New York City. The grant award varies from $500 to $2,500.
Fellowship for Visual Artists Awarded by the McKnight Foundation
The McKnight Foundation offers fellowships to visual artists, it is mainly based in Minnesota. It is one of the largest and oldest organizations. The McKnight Artist Fellowship Program offers exceptional mid-career Minnesota artists an annual cash award up to $25,000.
Music Grants from Pollock Krasner Foundation
The Pollock Krasner Foundation Grant is a part of Lee Krasner’s legacy to enhance and encourage creative and established artists. It was founded in the year 1985 and they have awarded more than $65 million to more artists in more than 77 countries all over the world.
COLA Individual Artist Grant
The COLA Individual Artist Grant is another well known grant that is particularly designed for established artists who are living in Los Angeles or have represented their work in the city for a minimum of three years. The award of $10,000 is offered to each artist.
Tennessee Art Commission
Tennessee Art Commission aims to “cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennessee and their communities”. The Tennessee Arts Commission offers annual grants for arts education, music projects, and many more. The professional artists and composers are also awarded $5,000 by the Individual Artist Fellowship.
Mid-Atlantic Art Foundation
Mid-Atlantic Art Foundation is widely located in regions like West Virginia, Virginia, US Virgin Islands, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, D.C and Delaware. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation aims to support art programs in all of the states that have been mentioned above.
Grants From The Beebe Fund For Musicians
A $22,000 stipend along with traveling and lodging assistance is provided annually by the Beebe Fund for classical singers as well as composers who want to tour the world. The Frank Huntington Beebe Fund for musicians offers grant funding to musicians based in the United States of America.
Grants From The International Music And Art Foundation
The International Music And Art Foundation Fund awards individual artists and organizations as well who support visual and performing arts and help preserve art and Culture.
Based in New York City the foundation is dedicated to advanced contemporary art and they also provide artists an emergency grant for their ranges between $500 to $2500 that candidates can apply for any purpose that will help them.
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Conclusion
Emerging artists who have the potential and talent but do not have the financial means to finance their musical projects can get help with music grants. Artists can use the music grant award towards the purchase of equipment, tutoring expenses, book recording time, music promotion, secure management, advertising, social media campaigns and many more areas. Grants for musicians are available in a variety of styles. While some grants provide general support for musicians of all styles and ages, some cater to musicians who perform specific genres or singers and musicians who fit specific demographics. There are music grants specific to recording, touring and purchasing instruments. You can apply for the aforementioned music grants if you can meet the eligibility criteria and launch your music career.
Are you looking for government assistance programs and grants that can improve your living situation? Head to the Get Government Grants’ section today. Our resources will help you to find the right type of support based on your needs and requirements.
Frequently Asked Question
We have answered some of the frequently asked questions on Music Grants in the USA. Go through the questions and answer to gain additional information on the grants.
I am a singer, are there any music grants for me?
Yes, there are music grants for singer in the USA. These grants will offer your free money that can be used to cover your tuition, purchase equipment and tour. You can try out music grants like International Music and Art Foundation Grants, Leap Award, Foundation of Contemporary Art, New Music USA Scholarship, Music Grants from Pollock Krasner Foundation and many more.
Is pursuing a music career expensive?
When you are pursuing a music career it is really expensive as it involves various types of cost that includes the cost of promotional items, instruments, sound equipment, studio equipment, tuition and tour cost.
What are other ways to fund my music career?
Yes, there are other ways to find your music career. You can try credit cards, loans, small business loans and a stipend.
Are there any eligibility requirements to qualify for the grant?
No, there are no specific eligibility requirements to qualify for the music grants. Any artist of any genre can apply for these grants.