PRS Foundation, with support from PPL, has launched a new partnership with Sonic Futures, Tees Valley Combined Authority and the UK government to target PPL Momentum Accelerator support in Tees Valley.
PRS Foundation’s PPL Momentum Accelerator Tees Valley will offer grants of up to £5,000 to talented artists to support their career development. It is aimed at artists with a growing fanbase, currently working to establish a music industry team.
Additionally, support of up to £1,000, which may include micro-grants, mentoring or other holistic support, is available to Tees Valley-based music industry professionals and future professionals to develop their skills and careers.
PPL Momentum Accelerator Tees Valley builds on programmes in Liverpool (since 2019), Yorkshire (2020/21) and Wales (since 2022). Previous grantees include English Teacher, now signed to Island Records and Mercury Prize winners; Chiedu Oraka, who headlined BBC Introducing at Glastonbury; and Lemfreck, winner of the Welsh Music Prize.
The deadline to submit an application is May 14, 2025 at 6pm.
Becci Scotcher (pictured), senior grants & programmes manager at PRS Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be launching our PPL Momentum Accelerator opportunity in Tees Valley. The impact of this targeted initiative has been proven in Liverpool, Yorkshire and Wales, with grantees progressing their careers to head out on UK tours, perform at festivals such as Glastonbury and SXSW, release excellent, critically acclaimed music and win awards such as the Welsh Music Prize and even the Mercury Prize.
“Removing barriers for the huge amount of talented music creators in Tees Valley and those local industry professionals and professionals of the future, is vital to the music ecosystem of the region and means more and more artists and industry professionals can build their careers longer in their hometowns, developing the scene and its infrastructure. I am looking forward to seeing who applies and the impact this support will have for those selected for support.”
Removing barriers for the huge amount of talented music creators in Tees Valley is vital to the music ecosystem of the region
Becci Scotcher
Sarah Wall, senior events & partnerships manager, PPL, said: “We know there is such a huge range of music creators and industry professionals operating in the region, and we cannot wait to see who the first cohort funded by PPL Momentum Accelerator Tees Valley will be. Previous PPL Momentum Accelerator recipients include English Teacher and Chiedu Oraka… and are tough acts to follow. However, with the calibre of industry professionals in the region, alongside expertise from Sonic Futures, we know the recipients will have the right support to build the foundations of a sustainable music career.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "Our region is home to fantastically talented musicians and industry professionals and this new funding will support their success and help drive their careers to the next level. This support will play a vital role in our mission to develop and grow all parts of our economy to ensure people can stay local and go far right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool."
Additionally, the UK-wide PPL Momentum Music Fund is available for those artists with a team already in place and ready to take the next step in their careers.
This new partnership ringfences support for up to two Tees Valley-based artists per year to receive PPL Momentum Music Fund grants. Recent Tees Valley-based PPL Momentum Music Fund grantees include Cattle & Cane, Tom Johsua and Avalanche Party.
The next deadline for PPL Momentum Music support will be May 12, 2025 at 6pm.
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