by Francesca | Jan 25, 2024 | Music Industry
If you’re a talented independent artist looking for grants for musicians to help you out in your musical journey, look no further. These are some of our favorite grants for musicians in need of some support…
Grants For Independent Musicians
Salt Lick Incubator
The Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization that supports emerging musicians on their path to sustainable careers. Their project grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are awarded to musicians performing in songful, contemporary genres to use for projects such as producing a song or album, producing a music video, developing social media assets, pressing vinyl, touring, or developing branding and marketing assets and strategies. — All grants are also accompanied by a plan developed with each recipient to ensure the artist’s activities are both strategic and successful.
“A successful applicant is an emerging artist pursuing a career in song-driven music who performs at a high level, has a distinct artistic voice and vision, and who has submitted a feasible project proposal that aligns with Salt Lick Incubator’s vision, mission, and strengths. A willingness to engage and collaborate with a broader musical community is encouraged.”
- Applications open February 26, 2024 and close* April 16, 2024. Awards announced on or before May 30, 2024.
- Applications open June 1 and close* July 25, 2024. Awards announced in September, 2024.
- Applications open October 1 and close* November 25, 2024. Awards announced in February, 2025.
National Endowment for the Arts
“Through our work, the NEA aims to strengthen the non-profit music ecosystem by supporting projects that have potential regional, national, or field-wide significance, and that nurture the interdependent relationships between and among stakeholders. Organizations of all types and sizes may apply for presentation, professional development, engagement, music and health, and service projects.”
Applicants may request cost share/matching grants for musicians ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. However, applications must be for projects only. Some of the types of projects they support include:
- Public presentations of musical works
- Commissions and/or co-commissions
- Development and performances of new musical compositions and innovative works
- Performances and educational engagements by NEA Jazz Masters that honor their work, history, style, and/or significance to jazz; and broaden public awareness of the art form
- Domestic touring (NEA Music grants cannot support international tours)
- Festivals and other events (may include performances, lecture-demonstrations, audience talkbacks, master classes, and workshops)
That’s not all, though. You can check out the full list of requirements and guidelines here before you apply. (Deadline to apply online: February 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time.)
Dolly Parton Songwriters Award
The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, nationwide competition open to aspiring songwriters. The awards can be used as a career grant for study, instrument purchase, recording costs, or other professional expenses and are not restricted to tuition costs. Founding endowments include a lead gift from Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston as well as a contribution from country superstar Luke Combs.
The revised program offers $20,000 for up to two of the best original song entries in any of the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, or roots. Judges for previous competitions have included GRAMMY-winning artist Kacey Musgraves, hit songwriter Rodney Clawson, and Nashville music industry veteran Mark Brown.
To apply, you must meet these requirements:
- must be between the ages of 17 and 24 as of February 15, 2024.
- must be in residence in the United States or its territories.
- may only submit one application per BMI Foundation awards program.
- may not submit the same musical work to more than one BMI Foundation awards program.
- may only submit works that have not been assigned to any major music publisher or major record label.
- may only apply if they have not previously won the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award or Nashville Songwriting Scholarship. (Honorable mention may apply again.)
The ASCAP Foundation Scholarships
ASCAP Foundation Scholarship programs seek to ensure that opportunities for the study of music are available to students at all levels. With a long list of options to choose from, there’s a diverse lineup of opportunities for musicians of all backgrounds looking for support. Some scholarships on this list include: Asian American Pacific Islander Scholarship, Betty Rose Scholarship, HBCU Scholarship and many more. There is a long list of options for high school, college or university students looking for support.
- Check out the full list right here.
John Lennon Award
The John Lennon Award is an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of contemporary musical genres including alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. Over the past twenty years, more than $400,000 in scholarships has been awarded to talented young musicians throughout the United States, making this award one of the nation’s most esteemed accolades for emerging songwriters.
Through the generosity of Yoko Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments, three scholarships totaling $20,000 are presented annually for the best original songs submitted to the competition. Works are judged by a prestigious panel of music publishers, songwriters, musicians, and executives. BMI’s Vice President, Creative, New York Samantha Cox, and Tim Pattison, Director, Creative, New York, oversee the competition.
(Note: The same eligibility requirements apply as the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award)
peermusic Latin Music Award
The peermusic Latin Award is an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of Latin music. One of the few distinctions of its kind, the award was established in 2003 through the generosity and vision of peermusic CEO, Ralph Peer II. For two decades, the program has nurtured promising musicians who have gone on to distinguish themselves in the fields of television, film, recorded music, and concert performance. A $5,000 scholarship is presented annually for the best original song or instrumental composition in any Latin genre.
(Note: The same eligibility requirements apply as the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award & John Lennon Award.)
New Music Creator Fund
The New Music Creator Fund offers grants to individual music creators working in any genre who need support to get to the next stage of their creative practice. The program supports costs that relate to collaboration with other artists and practitioners. Their aim is to enable music creators to take the lead in the development of new and existing ideas and projects. In addition, they support and represent a broad range of individuals across the country and musical spectrum. Not to mention, they give out a total of 50 to 60 awards of up to $5,000 each (with the average grant being $3,000).
With this fund, artists can use the money for things like:
- Support for the time you need to create new material and initiate new collaborations with your proposed artist(s)
- Creation fees for a work in progress that does not have additional support
- Performer or other collaborator fees
- Project specific equipment
- Recording costs
- PR/marketing
- Technical assistance/skills building
- Support for digital presentation/creation of music videos
- Workshopping
- Joint R&D (research and development) into new project ideas
- Other costs you consider to be essential e.g. childcare for yourself or a collaborating artist
Interested? The deadline for this years application has passed, but make sure to save this for next year! In the meantime, learn everything you need to know right here.
To wrap it all up…
Being an independent musician comes with a lot of ups and downs, mentally and financially. There are foundations out there that have committed to providing resources for artists who need a little help to get to the next stage of their career. Although some of these grants for musicians aren’t currently open for applications, save them for next year! You never know what could come if you don’t even try.
Good luck!
by Francesca | Jan 18, 2024 | Music Marketing
Spotify is a powerful tool for any artists interested in reaching a larger audience. One of the most effective ways to utilize the platform is to create a custom Spotify for Artists profile, which will help you get verified, easily manage your profile, learn about your fanbase and more. In this post, we’ll break down some tips to help you make sure your profile is optimized and ready to go.
How To Optimize Your Spotify for Artists Profile
To create your Spotify for Artists profile, go to artists.spotify.com and claim your profile. Once your profile is approved, you’ll receive automatic verification, which will make you more discoverable among other artists and boost your position within Spotify’s algorithms. Next, let’s take a look at some helpful hints for creating a Spotify for Artists profile and utilizing it for maximum success…
Use Artist’s Pick
Artist’s Pick is a valuable tool that allows you to feature music at the top of your profile. You can make a track, an album, a playlist or even an event the focus of your profile for two weeks, but you can update it at any time. This allows you to draw listeners to a certain release with the ability to include a short message as well.
Create and Feature Your Own Playlists
Creating your own playlists is a powerful way to connect with your fans and other artists. Playlists can give you the ability to promote your newest releases while supporting other artists and showcasing your sound. Utilize playlists as a tool to connect with other artists, and show fans what you’re all about.
List Your Concerts
Did you know that you can actually list your own concerts on Spotify? Simply connect your Ticketmaster, Songkick, Eventbrite or AXS profile and your upcoming events will be listed on your profile. This can be done through the Spotify for Artists dashboard, and will be updated automatically every time you announce a new event.
Utilize Your Data Effectively
The Spotify for Artists dashboard is useful for learning all types of information about your music, and the people who listen to it. You can access analytics in real-time and see where your plays are coming from. If they’re coming from a certain playlist, make sure to reach out to the curator with your next release. If they’re coming from a certain location, try and reach out to the promoters of that area. The possibilities are endless!
Keep Your Profile Up-To-Date
Keeping your artist profile updated with up to date information at all times is very important. Use Spotify for Artists’ tools to upload a current profile photo, add a bio and more. Make sure your image is high resolution and your bio tells listeners who you are and what you’re about. Make sure to update both of these consistently and make sure to highlight any major achievements or announcements.
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Ready to take your Spotify to the next level?
[Click here to download Symphonic’s official Spotify Guide]
Good luck!
by Francesca | Jan 18, 2024 | Music Industry, Music Marketing
2023 is finally a thing of the past! It’s been a long year, but it’s time to start looking towards the future. As a musician, it’s important to set goals for your career and create a plan to make them happen. From learning new skills and getting more followers to earning more money and booking more gigs, setting clear goals is the key to seeing your dreams come to life. Here’s how to set better goals for the new year…
How To Set Better Goals As A Musician in 2024
Let’s talk S.M.A.R.T.
When it comes to goal setting, many pros around the world use the S.M.A.R.T method. Created back in 1981, S.M.A.R.T is an acronym that helps you create specific criteria for your goals to help improve the chances of their success.
What does it stand for?
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Timed
How to use the S.M.A.R.T Method:
When it comes to your music career, your goals need to be realistic and specific. You should be able to quantifiably measure their success. For them to be achievable for you as an artist, you also need to be able give it a set time period for it to be accomplished by.
🧠 Pro Tip: Always write down your goals. Once they’re written down, you can look back at them whenever you start to feel lost and get right back on track.
Here’s an example:
Let’s apply the S.M.A.R.T method to, “I want more people to listen to my music”.
What’s wrong with that? — This goal needs to be more specific. First, think about where you want more people to listen to your music. Which platform do you want these listeners on? Next, make it measurable. Come up with a variable that is quantifiable. Now, it’s time to make sure it’s achievable and realistic for where you are in your career. How many new listeners are you actually capable of reaching with your resources?
Those big time goals are good to keep in the back of your mind, but starting off with unrealistic goals will make you frustrated and disappointed when you’re just starting out. You’ll eventually reach those crazy goals, but you need to start small and work your way up. That being said, this leads us to the last step. Timed.
Your goals need to have a time limit. It’s easier to stay on track when you have a set time frame to get things done. (With checkpoints along the way!)
When you apply the S.M.A.R.T method to, “I want more people to listen to my music”, it turns into something like: “I want 1000 more monthly listeners on Spotify by May 31th.” instead. You can keep it focused on your profile’s full monthly listeners or you could break it down even further by focusing on a single release.
Now, that’s doable!
Let’s try one more.
Let’s try a more complex example for applying the S.M.A.R.T method. How about, “I want to go on tour.”
Great goal!
Let’s make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed. Specifically where and when do you want to go on tour? Is it the right time in your career to start touring? Do you have enough fans in various cities who would buy tickets to your shows? When do you want to achieve this by? What variables do you have to meet in order to meet this goal? For example, reaching X total amount of monthly listeners by this date or cultivating X amount of fans in X cities by this date.
How does this change our original statement? Something like, “I want to go on tour” changes to something like “I will meet XYZ requirements for touring by December 1st in order to start touring by January 1st .”
Make sense? Keep in mind, you can make these goals as specific as you need to. The more specific, the better.
In Conclusion…
2023 was rough for a lot of us. However, one thing it did give us was a chance to assess ourselves. What do we want for our music careers? What’s been working? What efforts have been more time consuming than fruitful? Now that you’ve had all this time to brainstorm about the future, it’s time to make sure your goals for the new year reflect that. 2024 is a great opportunity to jump back in and hit the ground running!
Just be S.M.A.R.T. 😉
by Francesca | Jan 11, 2024 | Music Industry
Conferences are the ultimate hubs for networking in the music industry! If you’re looking to connect with some of the best minds in the business, these conferences are for you…
Top Music Conferences To Attend in 2024
Date: February 21-25
The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions).
The next conference takes place at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, you’ll experience showcases, panels, networking events and more, all surrounding and supporting Folk music.
- Whether you’re ready to register to attend or want to read about the event, check this out to access all the resources you need.
Dates: March 8-15
SXSW welcomes the future of this industry with open arms. Through workshops, mentor sessions, networking opportunities and more, this conference offers 10 days of unparalleled learning and networking.
Not to mention, the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and diverse people come together. SXSW is the perfect place to scout new artists, meet up with distributors and attend events highlighting the future of the industry and how it pertains to the landscape of your business.
Date: March 2024
The Winter Music Conference is back and now stronger than ever with a renewed sense of purpose and direction under the umbrella of Miami Music Week, returning in March 2024 with insightful programming for music industry professionals and consumers.
- Check out their website here to learn more.
Virtual: April 24th – 26th
In Person: July 9th – 13th
The LAMC, which spotlights Spanish-language alternative music — as well as exciting artists in rock, hip-hop, and electronic music — will return in virtual form April 24 to 26. If you’re interested in going in-person, they’re also hosting an in-person event on July 9-13 in New York City.
Both the virtual and in-person events will host panels, workshops, showcases, and networking opportunities for attendees. For those interested in the Latin music scene, this one’s for you.
- Want in? — Learn more right here.
Date: May 13-16
After last year’s gathering of 2,100+ attendees from more than 800 companies across 30 countries, Music Biz is the place to be if you have a stake in the future of the music business. Whether you want to hear expert viewpoints on the latest trends & tech, to seek out new business partnerships, or to celebrate those who are innovating the ways our industry operates, you don’t want to miss this one in Nashville.
- To learn more and/or register to attend, click here.
Date: June 1-8
Hosted at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, the Canadian Music Week Conference is still the premier annual music business and networking event in Canada. CMW is an annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries.
- Registration isn’t quite open yet, but you can check out all the speakers and additional details for the event right here.
Date: June 10-13
A2IM Indie Week is the world largest independent music conference. It consists of a four-day international conference and networking event aimed at maximizing the global impact of Independent music. Featuring keynotes, panels, exclusive networking sessions, and more, Indie Week has historically drawn an attendance of over 1200 participants from over 30 countries.
- Visit their website to learn more about A2IM right here.
Date: September 17-21
The 23nd annual AMERICANAFEST will take place September 17-21, gathering thousands of artists, fans, and industry professionals from all over the world in Nashville, TN. This year promises to once again be the must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana’s influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music.
Each year, this fest brings together legendary artists, the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for multiple days of music and education.
- Whether you’re interested in playing the fest, attending the conference, want to volunteer, or any looking for any other type of involvement, click here.
Date: September 18-21
Taking place in September of 2024, Reeperbahn Festival is a German conference that offers industry representatives a programme of sessions, networking events, matchmaking events, showcases, meetings and award shows.
Talks, panels, keynotes, presentations, and workshops are all a part of the Reeperbahn Festival Conference programme. Top international speakers will address issues relevant to the music industry, its submarkets – recorded music, live entertainment, and publishing – and related sectors in the digital economy.
- Want a ticket? — Get yours right here.
Date: October 16-20
Going down in October from the 16th to the 20th, the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is one you don’t want to miss. It remains the most upfront, influential and educational gathering for electronic music and its industry.
With its conference, festival and educational breeding ground, ADE is able to create not only the biggest yearly industry tent-pole moment, but also a solid foundation for future generations of electronic music professionals. The event attracts a total of more than 1,000 events in nearly 200 locations across its multidisciplinary program; for five days and nights, the city of Amsterdam truly breathes electronic music.
- To pre register for 2024 and stay up to date with any news and announcement concerning the event, click here.
Date: October 22-24
Tech-fueled earthquakes have been shaking the music industry for some time now, creating dramatic new landscapes—and opportunities to serve artists at the intersection of music, technology, and business. Music Tectonics, the brainchild of PR firm Rock Paper Scissors, explores this junction with a conference, podcast, and blog. Going down in Santa Monica, California, check it out in May from the 13th to the 16th. This year’s event is going to be bigger than ever!
- Learn everything you need to know right here.
Date: October
The A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta, Georgia is a great event where you can network, learn, create, collaborate, and experiment with the latest hardware alongside hip-hop’s most influential music industry professionals and producers. This annual festival is a must-attend for any hip-hop enthusiast looking to stay ahead of the curve and immerse themselves in the vibrant hip-hop culture.
- Although I don’t have an official date for 2024’s conference for you just yet, you can keep up to date on their website here.
Date: October 2024
Digilogue Days in a music and tech conference in Brooklyn, NY that lasts 2 days and is jam-packed with booths from Warner Music U, ONErpm, SoundCloud, the Orchard, Too Lost, Epidemic Sound, EVEN, Symphonic, Indie Flow, United Masters, and Creator SPC. Plus, you’ll experience useful services from industry professionals, photographers shooting headshots and artist photos, and one-on-one sessions with mentors to help guide budding artists.
- No official date dropped just yet, but you can learn more about the conference on their website right here.
Date: November 20-23
M for Montreal is an essential catalyst for the Quebec and Canadian music industry. It’s actually one of the most attended major events for the music industry in Canada. It also showcases a series of conferences that bring together local and international music industry pros while offering a rich program of talented musicians.
- Get early bird tickets and learn more about them on their website.
To wrap it up…
Don’t miss out! Whether you’re looking to sit back and learn, connect with your peers, or just experience a conference for the first time, these are the top ones in the industry that will not disappoint.
Enjoy!
by Francesca | Jan 11, 2024 | Music Marketing, Social Media
One of the most underutilized tools for networking in this industry are Facebook groups. Every day, tons of music industry-related groups are actively sharing knowledge within communities of like-minded individuals just like you. In these groups, you can ask for support, get advice, inquire about job opportunities and so much more. Here are some of our favorites…
Music Business Facebook Groups You Should Join
DIY Tour Postings
If you’re a musician planning a tour, DIY Tour Postings should be a staple in your bag of tricks. This one is a killer resource for those in need of gigs to play, opening acts, or even if you’re a talent buyer or scout looking for potential acts for your next show.
Last minute realizing you aren’t selling as many tickets to your upcoming show as you’d hoped? In here, you can promote yourself without censorship and they will help you to fill your concerts with people. This group is also full of seasoned tour vets who know the ins and outs of tour life and offer valuable advice for those who are new to the game.
Artist Managers Connect
Artist Managers Connect is a digital community of artist managers from around the world who are dedicated to sharing knowledge, advice, and opportunities in order to better serve our artists and the industry as a whole. Industry pros and newbies alike have a lot to gain from this group.
Everyone Knows Everyone In The Music Industry
Everyone Knows Everyone In The Music Industry is a group that has tons of cool music people who are all there to share information about jobs, gigs and opportunities in the industry. They have a rule about not sharing ads, so it’s the perfect place to see strictly great opportunities from like minded people. It’s a private group, but you can request to join right here.
Music Biz Besties
Calling out all the ladies in the crowd, this one’s just for us. Music Biz Besties is a private group for female musicians & industry leaders hosted and founded by Katherine Forbes. Katherine started the group with a love for networking and a yearning for a strong community of women all working together to turn dreams into reality.
In this group, you’ll have access to job opportunities, a community of music lovers just like you, and insights for how to make it in an industry that’s all about hustle and badass networking.
Nashville Music Industry
This Nashville Music Industry Facebook group is open to everyone who is in any way involved in the Nashville Music Industry. All you have to do is introduce yourself and let them know how they can help you! If you’re in Nashville, this is group is a must.
Symphonic Fam
Here at Symphonic, we’ve got our own FB group that fosters a supportive space for the indie music community to talk about the industry. Members can collaborate together to share knowledge on best practices, make valuable connections, and share related content. In Symphonic Fam, everyone is free to ask questions and share helpful tips and tricks with a supportive community of music industry peeps. This group is all about helping each other out by empowering independent musicians everywhere to do what they love.
Women Empowered Mentorship Program
In addition to out Symphonic Fam Facebook group, there’s also a group for our Women Empowerment Mentorship Program. The group is a community dedicated to empowering women and supporting each other on our professional journeys’. This group is a safe and inclusive space for women to network, connect, and uplift each other.
Here, you’ll find a platform for job postings, networking opportunities, and resources for personal and professional development. Our community members have access to exclusive content, including webinars, workshops, and guest speakers. Whether you’re looking for a mentor, seeking advice, or simply want to connect with like-minded women, this is the place for you.
