Did you know that there are around 41,700 musicians in the United States? It’s a tight competition, but there’s always room for more musical art!
If your love of music encouraged you to pursue a career, understand that it comes with a set of hardships. One of these is music funding since you need it to jumpstart your journey. If you aren’t careful enough, you’ll end up having financial problems.
Don’t give up. There are some solutions.
With this guide, you’ll learn about the best music resource center choices around. That way, you’ll get the funding necessary to pursue your dream. Read on and find out more:
1. Aegon Transamerica Foundation
This foundation donated over $7 million in 2019 to support various aspects of society. Their main focus includes:
- Arts and Culture
- Civic and Community
- Education and Financial Literacy
- Health and Wellness
- Human Services
When applying for a grant, Aegon Transamerica’s primary consideration is whether your request can relate to their key focus areas and mission. They’re likely to accept your request if your music career is within a community with a significant presence of the company. They will review your grants application as soon as their local committee representatives get it, so the response timing differs by locality.
2. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
This foundation is one of the largest organizations in the United States giving grants to singers and musicians alike. Their Arts Program’s mission is to support artists for them to make and perform their works to the public.
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Arts Program distributes its support using grants made by intermediary organizations. They often do so by organizing open competitions throughout the year. Take note, this foundation loves jazz music because of its founder.
3. New Music USA Grants
The foundation is one of the most reputable ones in the country. Most aspiring musicians say they had a wonderful experience with them. It’s because they’re committed, doing their utmost to understand your needs while giving the necessary funding to make a change to your music career.
New Music USA monetary grants can range from $250 to $15,000. Their application guidelines change regularly, so check their website from time to time. It’s always better to come back to it every year since they have set deadlines for application submissions.
Getting some funding from this foundation can go a long way. Take note, it’s only for the sole purpose of serving your art and creativity. For aspiring artists seeking to improve their craft, this organization is the best fit for you.
They also have Project Grants that give you more than monetary support. They also allow you to access their network and platform. They will promote your projects through their social media profile, email newsletter, and their contacts within the music industry.
4. New York Foundation for the Arts
Another reputable organization, the New York Foundation for the Arts supports artists in all their career stages. They continue to do so for the past 32 years, and they don’t give funding for specific projects. They have unrestricted fellowships valued at $7,000 dedicated to funding musician’s vision or voice, no matter what level of artistic development they have.
To qualify for their artist fellowship, you must be 25 years old or older. Of course, you must reside in New York State for at least two consecutive years. If you’re enrolled in any programs that seek to attain a degree, you can’t qualify.
They have more requirements listed on their website. Check it regularly to see whether your music career can get support based on their current award cycle. Also, check out our guide about your options for various music funding sources.
5. Tennessee Arts Commission
This is another state-specific foundation for artists, their mission is to benefit all Tennessean communities by cultivating the arts. That’s why they offer a large variety of grants each year, regardless of whether you’re an independent musician or an organization. Their Individual Artist Fellowship will give a total of $5,000 to professional artists, including musicians and composers.
The organization has no set of specific guidelines when using the money. The only caveat is that you must already have an established music career in Tennessee. While it can’t help your career startup, it’s something nice to consider when you run into financial difficulties in the future.
Tips for Funding Applications
Whether you’re applying for a grant or loans for musicians, you must practice the following tips to get the attention it deserves.
Do Your Research
Spend some time researching your available funding options. This also helps you discover its deadlines. This ensures that you’ll find the right organizations for your music without missing the deadlines.
Give Your Best Musical Samples
When applying, ensure that your music samples are easy to reach. Host them online and supply working links to your chosen organization. This allows you to show what you’re capable of.
Impressions matter a lot, so give them your best music. Think about the music that best represents what you want to do in your career. This will let them know whether they can support what you offer.
Update Your Online Profile
When giving the link to your social media profile, make sure it’s updated and relevant. It should showcase the things you’re up to. In most cases, agencies will use search engines like Google to get a good grasp of what you can bring to the table.
Keep the Application Simple
A good application should strike the right balance between too much and too little information. Don’t use jargon even when the organization knows what it means. It’s more important to be clear with the things you want to achieve and the things you intend to do once they approve your grant.
Get Music Funding Today!
These are some music funding resources if you need funding. Use them alongside the application tips to get your music career going. It may take some time but you will get the finances you need for recording, touring, and more.
Do you need help getting funds for your music? If so, apply for a loan request today and let us help you reach your dreams of becoming an accomplished musician.