Music Creators Growth Fund
The Music Creators Growth Fund is a new investment programme designed to support growth across new music.
We define new music as: original music (such as live performance, sound recording or musical work) recently or newly created or performed by living, UK-based artists or music creators.
The fund is open to music creators, including:
- artists and artist collectives
- bands and groups
- composers, songwriters, DJs and producers
The Fund will provide direct access to investment for music creators with a sustained track record of professional creative practice, enabling them to:
- strengthen their skills, capacity, and resilience
- develop sustainable careers
- create and share high-quality work
- innovate and diversify income
- build professional opportunities.
The total annual budget for the Music Creators Growth Fund in 2026/27 is £3 million.
Anyone applying to the fund must find at least 25% of their total budget as cash match funding.
Investment decisions are based on potential for growth and effective use of funds.
The Music Creators Growth Fund has a series of rounds of funding, spaced over the course of the year.
Round One
- Applications open: 1 October 2026
- Deadline date: 29 October 2026
- Date you will receive a decision: 22 December 2026
Round Two
- Applications open: 6 January 2027
- Deadline date: 3 February 2027
- Date you will receive a decision: 29 March 2027
The Music Growth Fund (MGF) supports music businesses and organisations to develop, innovate and grow. It is open to music businesses and organisations based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as those based in England.
Applicants based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can only apply for support for the following types of activity:
HOW TO APPLY
Check your applicant profile on our grants system – check that the information in your applicant profile on our grants system is accurate and up to date.
Please note that it takes up to 10 working days for Arts Council England to validate a new applicant profile. Applicant profiles are made after a user log in. You will receive an email confirmation as soon as the validation process is complete. You cannot begin an application, complete an eligibility questionnaire, or submit a proposal until your profile is approved, you should create and submit your profile as early as possible to avoid missing round deadlines. We cannot commit to validating new profiles in time for a particular deadline.
Prepare and submit your application – you must apply through our grants system.
