International Showcase Fund

The International Showcase Fund (ISF) offers vital export support for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers, with eligibility criteria allowing applications from:•UK based music creators (artists, bands, songwriters, producers)• Those who can demonstrate to funding partners and expert advisors/assessors that they are creating and/or performing outstanding music.•Those invited to play at an eligible international event (i.e. a showcasing festival or a song writing camp with a conference element and/or a focus towards industry professionals rather than the general public) – applicants must be able to evidence that they have received an official invite from the event organiser.•Those who can show there is a clear financial need for support (i.e. related income is not sufficient to cover costs).• Those who can demonstrate they are ‘export-ready’.-Export-readiness is considered in the context of the applicants’ genre or scene, career level, regional ‘tipping points’, and the type of international engagement.-In terms of export-readiness decision-makers will be assessing:i)Does the applicant have a strong following in the UK which shows they are ready to export their talent?ii)Does the applicant have clear evidence of existing or growing demand (industry and audience demand) from overseas, including within the chosen country or territory?-Although the above will considered in the context of the area an applicant is working in, metrics applied might include:i)An existing and/or growing team is built around the artist/creator (e.g. evidence that artists/creators are working closely with at least one of the following: manager, booking agent, record label, music publisher, producer, PR, plugger, accountant or lawyer).ii) A good touring track-record and growing live fan base.iii)Recognition from the music industry and relevant media (e.g. radio plays, streaming playlist inclusion, media coverage, awards, industry interest, etc.), and/oriv)Recognition from the general public and audiences (e.g. a sales/streaming track- record, positive play/view counts, streams, subscriptions, social media following, etc.)v)Equivalent profile premieres or commissions of new works or high-profile creative collaborations for those working in genres where this is more important.ISF supports independent creators, including DIY artists, those with team members and those signed to independent labels. If a creator is signed to a major label within the territory they are performing in, they are not eligible for support. Additionally, partners prioritise those who have not been in receipt of ISF support previously – especially in terms of target territory – to ensure that we are supporting first export steps and a broad range of creators.Advisors and partners therefore consider musical examples, the application form’s case for support and the submitted budget (which determines a suitable level of support based on eligible costs and funding need). Partners also consider how overall the fund supports a broad range of music creators, considering genre, regionality and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (e.g. gender balance, global majority representation, access and disability),Application ProcessISF runs rolling deadlines which allows artists, bands, creators and their representatives to apply for funding as soon as they have received an official invite from an eligible event. Partners encourage creators to apply 10-12 weeks before their event takes place. Applicants are asked to submit:-Music examples, including a live video where possible so reviewers can assess the strength of their music and performance skills/suitability for the event-Detail on the showcasing event/songwriting camp and why they need support to attend-Information on the creator’s track-record and export-readiness-An outline of plans including event delegates they will meet with and expected outcomes-A project budget including a request amount.