PRS Foundation has announced the launch of ‘Power Up’, a new initiative designed to tackle anti-Black racism and disparities within the music industry.
The programme, which launched on January 25, has been shaped by over 80 Black music professionals and aims to support 40 Black music creators and industry figures a year through grants and industry-wide support.
‘Power Up’ was set up and will be managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with YouTube Music, Beggars group and the Black Music Coalition. Supporters include the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the BPI, Creative Scotland, the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), The Ivors Academy, the Music Managers Forum (MMF), the Music Publishers Association (MPA), the Music Producers Guild (MPG), the Musicians’ Union, PPL, PRS for Music and the PRS Members’ Fund.
The initiative aims to break down barriers for Black artists and industry professionals to create a fairer and more equitable music industry. It is also seeking to help achieve better representation in all sectors of the UK music industry and to amplify the work of Black creators and industry figures through both the Power Up Participant Programme and the Power Up Movement.
The Power Up Participant Programme is described as a long-term network that will address barriers facing 40 participants each year – 20 Black music creators and 20 Black executives and industry professionals.
Those taking part in the programme will be at crucial stages in their careers and can be working in any genre or sub-sector. They will be given grant support of up to £15,000, marketing support, as well as support from partners and mentoring.
The Power Up Movement, meanwhile, will be run in alliance with the Black Music Coalition and will set targets and apply pressure to the UK music industry to increase Black representation and empower and advocate for Black talent and industry professionals. It hopes these moves will help influence industry policy and shape the future of music.
Deadlines
PRS Foundation will manage the Power Up Participant selection process annually, with the Year 1 (2021-22) Participant Programme application process timeline being:
Wednesday 10th February: Applications opens
Wednesday 10th March (6pm): POWER UP APPLICATION DEADLINE
w/c 19th April: Decisions communicated to all applicants
Late April: Participants Announced