Did you know that many grants and aids are available to independent and developing artists. However, faced with the fear of administrative paperwork, it is often difficult to get started. Here are 5 tips that will help you organize your research and multiply your chances of obtaining these grants.
1. Know were grants come from
Understanding how the ecosystem of grants related to the current music industry works not only allows you to target the logic of grant allocations, but also to better build your argument. It is therefore necessary to have an overview of the different sectors and the funding organizations.
The two main categories of funders are:
The public authorities
Separated between the State (via the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Culture) and the local authorities, this public aid has its own logic and specific criteria. It goes without saying that in order to be eligible, the activity of your musical project must be domiciled in the territory corresponding to the field of action of the funding organizations.
The professional sector
The other category concerns the professional organizations that maintain aid programs for musical actors and projects: ADAMI, CNC, CNV, FCM, MFA, SACD, Bureau Export, SCPP, SPPF and SPEDIDAM. In the perspective of collecting to redistribute and according to a virtuous circle principle, the money generated by these programs (from the rights generated by producers, artists and authors, ticketing tax, etc…) is intended to feed these aid programs for musical creation and distribution.
2. Finding the right funding program for you
Before undertaking any grant application process for your musical project, it is imperative that you :
- Assess the demand
- Know what you are applying to
- Take into account the deadline for each application
This means that you need to explore each funding scheme in depth and target those that best correspond to the needs and ambitions of your musical project. Don’t hesitate to contact the funding organizations directly and check out their websites.
3. Adopt a coherent strategy to ensure an optimal result
It is a matter of finding the right balance. On the one hand, don’t be too ambitious. On the other hand, don’t think about these grants as the necessary cornerstone for the success of your musical project.
By definition, the role of a grant in music is to support and flesh out the realization of a musical project. In short, to allow it to evolve in the best conditions. This is best done by following tip #2, finding the right grant(s) for your musical project. It is preferable to leave aside the financial aid that can potentially be granted and to concentrate on a limited number of aid schemes directly linked to your profile as an artist and to your needs. An ambitious musical project with a substantial budget will not necessarily be more advantageous, and will not have more chances of being selected than a more modest project. It is therefore necessary to build a rational and concrete financing plan.
Knowledge of the nuts and bolts of administrative writing is a plus. Be exhaustive, but also try to be clear and concise in what you say. Be careful with your arguments and notes of intent and avoid long sentences that can potentially be misinterpreted. In the interest of credibility, try to be honest because most funding agencies are public and have very strong subsidiaries and networks. In case of fraudulent and/or dishonest attempt, you risk being registered and losing any possibility of receiving financial aid for your musical project in the future!
4. Follow up promptly on your requests for subsidies
Once the grant applications have been completed and sent, the process does not stop there. To maximize your chances of receiving a positive response and finally obtaining financial assistance to develop your musical project, it is imperative to follow the status of the process carefully, to be reactive and to respond expressly to each request for additional information from the funding agencies.
5. Be patient and courageous
There is no magic formula for success. Applying for a grant for your music is often a daunting task and requires a scrupulous respect of administrative obligations. It can take several weeks or even months – depending on the amount of paperwork involved – to put together an application that is eligible for grants. The details are scrutinized and the omission of an annexed document can potentially delay or even cancel your application. Having someone else review your application to get a broader view of your needs is also worth considering.
And if you are turned down, don’t get discouraged and try to build on the experience. Even if the granting agencies do not communicate much about decisions, do not hesitate to contact them directly for a detailed report. Accept failure as a step towards success. In the meantime, it is still possible for you to get noticed by using the Groover platform to gain confidence, visibility and maybe land the deal of your dreams!
– Translated by Betty Gonzalez Gray –
Next Articles:
> How to write a good biography to promote your music
> How to choose a budget for your release
> The checklist for your next release
For more information:
> How to best build your musical project and attract the interest of pros and fans
Now it’s up to you! Send your tracks to industry professionals, and get guaranteed feedback with Groover.
