WHAT IS THE FUSION FUND?
The Fusion Fund offers £2,000 – £5,000 for professional musicians to undertake UK-based projects that develop and test new work, ideas or potential career directions through inspiring periods of collaborative research and development.
We are looking for exciting collaborations that create work across art forms, creative sectors and other disciplines. Applications must be music-focused and projects should include contributions from at least one non-music discipline for example storytellers, lighting designers, choreographers, technologists, scientists, gaming designers, theatre directors, visual artists etc. We are also interested in seeing applications that consider unusual and extraordinary spaces to show work to new audiences.
There should be tangible results of the collaboration, such as a body of work created for an upcoming recording or a new performance. Overall, the project should push the boundaries of what you do as a music creator or performer, exploring or testing something that you are not currently able to achieve without support.
Deadlines and further details can be found within the how to apply section.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The fund is open to professional and emerging professional musicians of all genres and disciplines. You can be a solo instrumentalist, conductor, composer, vocalist, singer songwriter or a multidisciplinary artist. We can also support bands or ensembles with six members or less.
To apply you must be:
- Aged over 18 (no upper age limit)
- Based primarily in the UK and be eligible to work here
- Have been resident in the UK for at least three consecutive years
- In financial need and without significant backing
- You must already have an active career to apply to this fund. We want to support those individuals or ensembles who can demonstrate working excellence fitting at least three if not all of the following criteria:
- Exceptional ability within their discipline
- High quality musical output
- Regularly working (performances, commissions, releases) at a professional level (getting paid for your work)
- Achievement or the potential to achieve a national or international impact
- An impressive track record
- Demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication toward their career
- Shows innovation or leadership within their sector
If applying as a group
- 50% must meet the criteria as above
- You must have been established and playing together regularly for at least one year
- You must nominate a lead applicant for the application process
- Venue and rehearsal space costs
- Recording costs (live or documentation)
- Travel costs
- Access costs
- Accommodation costs
- Subsistence
- Fees for musicians, artists or collaborators time to allow for your project to happen
- Any other reasonable costs associated with your project
First, read the application guidelines which set out in detail what we're looking for.
The Fusion Fund is an online application process. If you are applying as a group one person should be named as the lead applicant for the application process. The lead applicant has to be from a music discipline.
You are required to tell us about your achievements so far and put forward a draft project plan proposal for your chosen project. You should include a budget and a timeline for your activity and an explanation as to why this chosen project will be beneficial for your career development. You will be required to provide supporting evidence of your music in the form of recordings, videos and weblinks.
There are three rounds in 2019. Do make sure to submit your application in advance of these deadlines in order for it to be considered.
| Application Deadline | Results | |
| 11 March 19 9am | 1 May 19 | |
| 10 June 19 9am | 26 July 19 | |
| 2 September 19 9am | 18 October 19 |
If you are successful, the project end date must be within 18 months of receiving your funding.
Reference
You must also supply a reference from an eminent musician or music professional not connected with your project.
All materials including your reference must be received by the closing date otherwise your application will, unfortunately, be ineligible.
Advice sessions
If you have an idea that you think fits with the scheme, you can find out more by booking a Skype or phone advice session with Creative Programme Officer Bex. Please read through the guidelines before your session.
To secure a place for a 15-minute discussion of your idea please email creative@helpmusicians.org.uk or call 0207 239 9119.