Welcome to the March edition of the Youth Music grantholder newsletter. We hope you are enjoying Spring being in the air and it seems things are taking a positive step for the rest of 2021.
I'm sure like us you're finding it hard to believe it's been a year since the first lockdown was announced. We have updated our Youth Music COVID-19 update and FAQs blog to reflect the current situation for both applicants and grantholders. We have also updated our guidance blog on being COVID secure to coincide with the move to 'Amber' readiness level from Monday 29 March - we recommend a watch of the National Youth Agency's latest webinar.
Grantholder Evaluation Drop-In Session Registration is open for our drop-in session, please complete the registration link below which contains some questions. We will then collate responses and design a session to answer as many as possible. Whilst we might not have time to address every question, we will strive to cover as much as we can. We will post a follow-up blog on the network on what was covered during the session. Your attendance is still welcomed if you don't have any pre-determined questions. Submissions for questions will close on Friday 9th April.
New Reporting Templates
Following the recent launch of our new reporting templates for our grantholders, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions and responded to them. Please take a look and contact your Grants & Learning Officer or email us at grants@youthmusic.org.uk if you still have any questions. We’ll continue updating this document regularly.
VIP studios - free online production and virtual learning environment
As a Youth Music grantholder you are entitled to free access to Charanga’s VIP Studios - a great platform for remote learning that has music production software and tutorials built into a secure website. This means that young people can use it to produce music at home, so long as they have a computer and internet access. Find out more about the platform and if you would like to set up some tutor and learner log-ins for VIP, email sam.scott@youthmusic.org.uk.
Pirate Studios Opportunity Pirate Studios are a chain of professional rehearsal studios located across the country. We have been approached by them to see if we know any young people from our projects who would be interested in using them free of charge, particularly at off-peak times. If you'd like more information please email phoebe.cross@youthmusic.org.uk.
Youth Centre Recovery Fund - Funding Opportunity A total of £8 million is available via Julia and Hans Rausing to provide core funding for the costs of running youth centres and delivering youth work. Funding will cover the period from 1 April – 30 September 2021.
What are Youth Music looking for from music projects working with Disabled children and young people?
Last year, we published Reshape Music, a report that explored the lived experience of Disabled musicians. It highlighted the significant barriers faced by Disabled musicians to access music education and music-making. In Senior Grants and Learning Officer Adam Cookson's blog post, he explores what makes an effective project targeted at young Disabled musicians. It is particularly aimed at organisations working in this area who are seeking Youth Music funding for the first time.
Youth Music Awards
A huge thank you for all the nominations that have been submitted for the Youth Music Awards 2021. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it can go ahead as a physical event at The Troxy on Wednesday 20th October and will keep everyone up-to-date.
MAC Makes Music's recent Music Leader Exchange session was an open discussion with the opportunity to look at the things that have helped their newest music leaders' professional development.
