Frequently Asked Questions
You should be able to find answers to your questions on the New Music Award here. We can only give practical advice on the entry process - we won't be able to discuss entries before or after they are submitted, so please don't call us to discuss your idea.
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1. What do you mean by “new” music?
We refer to “new” music rather than “contemporary” music because “contemporary” tends to infer to classical-based genres. With reference to the New Music Award, we are looking for music that is both technically “new”, i.e. yet to be created, and “new” in a boundary-pushing sense. This can, however, be in any genre and doesn’t have to imply any notions of “avant garde” or inaccessible music.
2. The previous two winners of the New Music Award have been sound art ideas. Is this what you are looking for this year? Does my idea have to be sound art or site-specific?
Not at all! In fact, we would like to see a wide range of entries from across the spectrum of the music world. We are looking for creatively-adventurous new music. Any project that demonstrates this ambition and imagination, whatever the genre, will be considered. The short-list for last year included a broad range of ideas and styles, and we hope to receive an even greater range of proposals this year.
3. What if my fantastic, creatively-adventurous idea costs nothing like £50,000 - can I pay for the project and pocket the rest?
Nice try, but we're afraid not! The PRS Foundation will award up to £50,000 towards the cost of the project. If the project is going to cost £2,000 then the PRS Foundation will only award £2,000.
4. What if my idea costs more than £50,000 - can I use the New Music Award towards my overall project cost?
Yes. Although we would prefer the project to be around the £50,000 mark, the Award can be used in partnership with other funders.
Of course, funding does not have to be confirmed when you submit an entry for the New Music Award. However, future fundraising plans must be realistic and achievable. We want to award the New Music Award to projects which will actually happen.
5. Can I use the New Music Award to continue the development of an ongoing project?
No - all projects must be new and have had no past outings.
6. What is meant by 'live performance'?
The winning entry must result in some kind of performance. This can be in any media, e.g. performed live at a venue or special location, broadcast on the radio, TV or internet, 'shown' as a sound installation, whatever suits, but the public must have access to the final work. Don't forget to obtain all necessary licences relating to the public performance of music.
7. What is meant by ‘firm commitment’ for the first performance?
This depends on who is submitting the entry. For example, if you are a festival, this is a commitment from yourselves to produce the first performance. If you are an individual or group, this commitment should come from a partner involved in the project (venue, festival, organisation).
8. Can the project involve partners from outside the UK?
Yes, partners from outside the UK can be involved, as long as the music creator/s is UK-based and the first performance takes place in the UK.
9. Why is the performance deadline so far in the future?
Because the winning project has to be a brand new piece of work, a deadline of December 2011 allows enough time for planning, creating and producing the final performance or showing. The successful project can be performed any time before December 2011 if it's ready.
10. How much detail do you need in the budget?
We want to make this process as simple as possible for you. Therefore, we only ask for one side of A4 for the budget. This should show income and expenditure for the project, including the PRSF New Music Award money within the income. The expenditure should show the amounts that you think are realistic in delivering the project. It should also show any further funding you may need to deliver the project, and where this funding will come from.
11. What does “unrestricted creative opportunity” mean?
Exactly what it says on the tin! This is an opportunity to let your creative ideas run wild and create something entirely new.
12. Just to be clear, who can submit an entry for the New Music Award?
Pretty much anyone, as long as they are UK-based. For instance: individuals, organisations, festivals, collectives, venues, schools/colleges, promoters, groups, cross art-form collaborations. However, please remember that all entries must be focused on new British music.
If you are under 18, you must submit your idea through an organisation which is prepared to commit to working with you to help deliver your project.
13. If I have a grant from the PRS for Music Foundation this year does this exclude me from entering?
No.
14. Can I talk to someone at the PRS for Music Foundation about my idea, to get their opinion or help?
PRSF can give practical advice on the New Music Award entry process, but cannot advise upon an idea. This is to prevent individuals involved in the administration and decision-making of the New Music Award being influenced during the selection process.
15. Is this my last chance to enter the New Music Award? When is the next one?
The New Music Award takes place every two years, so the next call for New Music Award 2012 will be in late 2011.
16. On closer inspection, the New Music Award isn’t what I need. How else can you help me?
The PRS for Music Foundation has many ways to support new music in a sustained way. Take a look at our regular grant opportunities: Awards to Festivals, Performance Groups, Promoters, Organisations, Awards for New Works and many more.
And if you won’t be entering the New Music Award, can you tell us why not?