Launchpad 2021
Twice a year, in March and September, Launchpad invites applications for targeted support for emerging artists, musicians, producers, bands, composers and music professionals in the Yorkshire region through access to individual industry advisors, live opportunities and funding for recordings, project delivery and personal development. Launchpad also partners with PRS Foundation for its regional PPL Momentum Accelerator funding, providing grants for artists from the region at a tipping point for national success.
Launchpad Artists. Since 2019, 62 artists have been supported by Launchpad, which works to reach, select and support a diverse representation across music genres and communities through advice, live opportunities and funding.
Launchpad Projects supports emerging music industry professionals who are building a career in the music industry, but NOT as a music creator or performer. This includes those wanting to work in music management, events, record labels, publishing and more.
Launchpad Futures supports artists and emerging music industry professionals aged between 14 & 25, through a series of bespoke industry workshops. Launching in 2020, Launchpad artists between 14-19 years old receive access to creative and industry guidance, to support their musical and professional development.
Emerging music industry professionals between 18 & 25 years old have the opportunity to engage with national music industry organisations, attend training workshops on professional development in the industry, build relationships with other early career music professionals and receive formal qualifications.
Those eligible for Launchpad Futures support are selected from Launchpad Artists and Launchpad Projects applications.
Launchpad+ acts to continue to support and empower artists in a sustainable way. It is for artists who have previously been supported through Launchpad, as well as for a wider range of artists outside the project who recognise the benefit and want to take advantage of this kind of developmental opportunity. Launchpad+ continues to provide one to one support, advice and guidance from our team, effectively manage recording and publishing rights where necessary and connect artists with other industry professionals who can offer further advice and support. All of this is aimed at allowing artists to proactively manage their own music and careers.
Launchpad actively supports artists, projects and individuals that are female, of marginalised gender, Black, Asian and / or LBGTQ+.
Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as Bradford Council, Craven District Council, Leeds 2023, arts@leeds, Leeds City Council, Awesome Merchandise, PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL and in partnership with Wakefield Council's Creative Wakefield programme funded by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund grant, which is administered by Arts Council England.
Launchpad is a Fair Access Principles Partner.
Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles are designed to act as a code of best practice for running successful, open and inclusive artist development programmes, competitions and awards for composers. (The definition of “composer” varies between organisations; Sound and Music mean “anyone creating their own music, in any style or genre”
Launchpad is proud to sign the Keychange pledge in a global effort to achieve representation.
Supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, Keychange is a global network and movement working towards a total restructure of the music industry in reaching full gender equality.
To apply for support through Launchpad, check out the Launchpad website for full details:
Read about the artists Launchpad supported in 2020:
You can read about the 2019 Launchpad supported artists and how they were selected here:
