26 January 2008
PRS Foundation offers grant opportunity for Welsh dance companies to work with music creators
The PRS Foundation for New Music (PRSF) has announced the Steps to New Music Award for 2008, providing support to dance companies working with music creators in Wales.
In a joint partnership with funding from both Arts Council Wales and PRSF this award aims to support the creation of innovative new music by music creators working in collaboration with dance companies for performances taking place in Wales.
It’s hoped that this award will boost the profile of Welsh music creators and encourage people to attend arts events through the commissioning of music for performance in Wales.
The Steps to New Music Award for 2008 will enable dancers, choreographers and composers to work collaboratively to develop their work and creative practice. This may be in the form of apprenticeship for emerging composers or a residency for more established composers.
Einion Daffyd, Arts Council Wales said: "The Steps to New Music funding scheme aims to give new music greater currency. Contemporary dance offers an excellent opportunity for musicians to make the case for contemporary music and, moreover, 'live' music. The scheme encourages stimulating engagement with choreographers and dancers who often have to rely on recorded music."
Joshua Meggitt, Applications Manager, PRSF said: “Steps to New Music offers an excellent commissioning opportunity for composers interested in writing for dance. With a guaranteed performance in Wales and the chance to collaborate with dance companies, it’s an exciting project.”
Other successful applicants include Welsh Chamber Orchestra, North Wales International Music Festival and Attitude Dance.
The average awards are expected to be £3-5k from a pool of £40,000 of funding available.
The application deadline for the Steps to New Music Award is the 8th February 2008.
Full details about this financial support (Steps to New Music Award) and information on previous successful applicants can be found by visiting www.prsfoundation.co.uk or call 020 7306 4044.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Catherine George, 020 7306 4777, press@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
CONTACT FOR ADVICE ON GRANT APPLICATIONS:
PRS Foundation for New Music
Joshua Meggitt, Applications Manager
Tel: 020 7306 4228
Email: joshua.meggitt@prsfoundation.co.uk
29-33 Berners Street, London, W1T 3AB.
The Arts Council of Wales
Einion Dafydd, Senior Music Officer, ACW
tel: 01492 533440
email: einion.dafydd@artswales.org.uk
36 Princes Drive, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8LA
NOTES TO EDITORS:
FOR INFORMATION ON PREVIOUS SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS VISIT:
http://www.northwalesmusicfestival.co.uk/pages.asp?selectdate=19&selectevent=61
http://www.walkerdance.moonfruit.com/
http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/TabulaRasa.html
www.thecholmondeleys.org
ABOUT THE PRS FOUNDATION FOR NEW MUSIC:
The PRS Foundation for New Music (PRSF) is the UK's largest independent funder purely for new music of any genre. Over the past 7 years PRSF has proved itself a significant force in supporting pioneering musical activity. The PRSF provides essential core support for creators, performers and producers of new music of all genres in the UK, while also underpinning individual new music projects. Since March 2000 it has supported over 2500 new music initiatives with a total of £9.5 million. – www.prsfoundation.co.uk