PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, announces today together with PPL, a new partnership with Sonic Futures, Generator, Tees Music Alliance, Tees Valley Combined Authority and UK Government to bring the targeted PPL Momentum Accelerator support to talented artists and music industry professionals based 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. This PPL Momentum Accelerator funding will provide crucial support for exciting 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 successful 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.
Artists and industry professionals can find out more information and apply for PPL Momentum Accelerator support via PRS Foundation’s website.
The deadline to submit an application is 14th May 2025 at 6pm.
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 (Yorkshire) and LEMFRECK (Wales) and are tough acts to follow. However, with the calibre of industry professionals in the region, alongside expertise from Generator, Sonic Futures, and the Tees Music Alliance, we know the recipients will have the right support to build the foundations of a sustainable music career.”
Becci Scotcher, Senior Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation, added: “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.”
Alice Fuller, Deputy CEO, Generator, commented: “By providing direct investment in artists at a crucial stage in their careers, this initiative will fuel the development of talent while strengthening the local music ecosystem. It ensures that Tees Valley’s artists and industry can access the same opportunities as those in larger music hubs, driving growth, innovation, and national recognition for the region’s creative sector.
Paul Burns, CEO, Tees Music Alliance, said: “Having a PPL Momentum Accelerator programme for the Tees Valley is an opportunity for our music creators and industry professionals that really can’t be underestimated. It’s going to provide a fantastic resource for people to tap into, but most significantly, it will provide a rallying point for the Tees Valley music scene – offering inspiration and motivation for our emerging talent.”
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 at a tipping point, 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 also be 12 May 2025 at 6pm. Find out more on the PRS Foundation’s website.
