15th July, 2004
The PRS Foundation for new music and The Arts Council of Wales are delighted to announce that £40,000 has been awarded to Welsh composers.
Officers from the Arts Council of Wales and the PRS Foundation were assisted by Advisors when they met earlier in June to discuss applications from across Wales to the jointly-run New Music Works! Scheme. The Scheme aims to encourage applications for pieces of work that are exciting and innovative and that look to involve closer collaborations between music creators and performers.
Awards were made to composers including Noel Dempsey, Gordon Downie, Gareth Glyn, Alun Hoddinott, Huw Watkins and Huw Warren. Projects ranged from opera to jazz and sonic art music. All of them feature performances in Wales from the Beaumaris Festival through to the New Theatre in Cardiff.
Simon Lovell-Jones, Senior Music Officer at the Arts Council of Wales said:
“I am delighted that the PRS Foundation is working with the Arts Council of Wales in running this Scheme. Wales has produced some extremely talented composers and I welcome the chance for them to produce music for their own country. I am also delighted by the range of music that people will have a chance to hear live. I am very grateful to the PRS Foundation that has helped us to look at the way we work to support music creators and, of course, has meant that there is more funding available for them.”
David Francis, PRS Foundation Manager said:
“The PRS Foundation is pleased to support these projects and collaborations which are bringing new energy into the Welsh music scene. The Foundation has a unique remit to support all genres of new music throughout the whole of the UK and we are proud that this scheme recognises and supports the creative community in Wales, in all its diversity.”
The New Music Works Scheme will open again for applications in 2005. Performers and organisations wishing to apply should contact the Arts Council of Wales during the spring and summer of next year. In the meantime, composers should be aware of the ACW Creative Wales Scheme, for which details can be found in the Scheme Guidelines on the Arts Council Website - www.artswales.org.uk
Notes to Editors
About the PRS Foundation
The PRS Foundation is a forward-looking, artistically driven organisation which primarily aims to promote and support the creation and performance of all genres of new music and to help people enjoy and understand the new music they experience.
It delivers its remit via a wide range of funding schemes which each have their own application forms and deadlines spread throughout the year, all available from www.prsfoundation.co.uk/apply. The PRS Foundation is widely regarded as a refreshingly approachable funder, with simple application forms, fast decision-making and a free expert advice service for applicants.
Its schemes include the only national commissioning scheme for new music and Live Connections, the UK's only funding scheme specifically aimed at live performances of new electronic music of any genre.
For more information about the PRS Foundation, please visit www.prsfoundation.co.uk or contact Simi Obra on 020 7306 4741 simi.obra@prsfoundation.co.uk
Please note: Although the PRS Foundation currently receives very generous support from the Performing Right Society Ltd, the Foundation is a registered charity and a separate entity in terms of its remit, governance and administration. We would therefore appreciate it if you would credit any support for funding to the PRS Foundation and not the Performing Right Society Ltd.
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