Aims/priorities: The Music Creators Growth Fund (MCGF) is an investment programme designed to support growth in new music. The MGF is provided as part of the UK Government's Music Growth Package launched in 2026.
Music is a major cultural and economic asset, enriching lives, strengthening communities, and contributing £8 billion to the UK economy while supporting 220,000 jobs in 2024. Recognising music as a priority growth sector, the Music Growth Package aims to drive innovation, boost local economies, improve workforce skills and resilience, attract investment, promote fairer working conditions, and support a more diverse industry. The programme focuses on new music: original work recently created or performed by living, UK-based artists and music creators.
The funding is intended to strengthen the capacity of music creators by supporting the skills, resources and professional development needed to build sustainable careers. It aims to encourage creative and professional innovation, helping artists diversify income streams, adopt new approaches and develop resilient careers in a changing industry. The programme also seeks to support artistic development, expand access and inclusion, and increase opportunities for underrepresented creators across the UK.
Who can apply: Applications will be accepted from UK-based music creators working in new music, including artists, bands, collectives, composers, DJs, producers, songwriters and small ensembles. 'New music' is defined as original work recently created or performed by living, UK-based creators and intended for commercial exploitation. Eligible applicants include individuals, sole traders, micro to medium-sized companies, and unincorporated groups with a governing document.
All applicants must hold a UK bank account in the applicant's name, have an accountable person aged 18 or over, and, where applicable, maintain a UK-registered office. Applicants must also have earned at least £5,000 from music creation activities in a single financial year within the past three years and demonstrate at least three years of active professional music-making with a proven public track record. Professional support such as management, publishing, label representation, legal advice or access to equivalent industry networks must also be evidenced.
Applications from bands, collectives and groups must be submitted as a single application. Applications must be submitted through the creator's or group's own profile, and organisations are only eligible if they exist solely to support one named artist, band or group.
Grant amount: Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 are available (not including personal access costs), to fund up to 75% of project costs.
The fund can support activity lasting up to 18 months.
Application process: Applications are to be accepted online: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-growth-package/who-we-support-music-creators
Deadline: 29 October 2026
Contact: enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Website: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-growth-package/who-we-support-music-creators