Ups and downs
The week in Creative Money - 27 November, 2020
Financial guidance for creative professionals
Creative Money aims to have an open conversation about finances in the creative industries.
It was founded in July, 2020 in an attempt to address a frustrating lack of sound financial guidance for creative workers and is written by me, Matt Parker, a music journalist and lecturer.
How have you been doing amid the second UK lockdown?
From my point of view, there have been some real positives lately, but the picture is definitely mixed one. Most of my friends and family who work in the creative industries are reporting ups and downs, in both mood and income.
Some have taken on new jobs outside of performing or creative work, others have been left dependent on the whims of government support and others still are just trying their best to make it work remotely. I feel like I've been in all three of those categories across the last year.
It's hard to discuss the other aspects of creative life and finance right now. The personal and professional is so uniquely intertwined in creative work and the scale of the recent challenges so significant that, like a maddening feedback loop, the conversation always returns to the pandemic.
Talking about savings and investments or happy spending is still really important but I know that to some of us it will feel like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
My priority for the time being then is to do my best to keep you up to date with the Covid support situation and roll out the other interviews and guides as and when I can. I've got plenty of those in the pipeline still, including some *deep breath*... RELATIVELY-BIG NAMES.
There is hope, there is reason to hang in there and even Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty (i.e. the one we actually trust) is agreeing that a return to something more normal by Easter is looking very possible.
That may seem too long for many of us, so for now, I point you to my second guest piece for MusicRadar, covering Covid-19 support options for musicians, which went live this week. Maybe you'll find it useful. If you're not a musician, check out my broader piece on Coronavirus financial help for UK creative workers and the funds listed below.
I will get back to the deck chairs and inspirational stuff ASAP...
Until next time!
Matt
CreativeMoney.co.uk
New from Creative Money:
Covid-19 support options for musicians
New guest piece now live on MusicRadar.com
What do you need to know this week?
FREE tax workshop on 30 November, 2020 for freelancers working in the arts and culture sector - registration required (Cathy Waller Company)
New UK tier rules: What do they mean for theatre? (What's On Stage) and what do they mean for musicians? (The MU)
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing on the economics of music streaming was essential viewing – watch it here (Parliament Live)
Finally, a reminder amid the consumer silly season – 85% of Black Friday prices are not the cheapest they've even been, don't feel pressured to buy! (Which?)
Grants and funding opportunities
Self-Employed Income Support Scheme third grant
The UK SEISS reopens on Monday 29 November, 2020 but there's a change in the criteria now stipulates that you must have suffered a "significant reduction in trading profits" due to coronavirus during the period 1 November to 29 January 2021. You must also keep supporting evidence. Deadline: 29 January, 2021
Sound and Music Climate. Sound. Change. Young Artist grant
£500 grant for a young artist (16-21) working with sound and music to create new works that respond to the climate emergency. Deadline 29 November, 2020
Arts Council Thriving Communities Fund
Funding for schemes designed to increase social connectedness, and help communities cope with the impact of COVID-19. Applicants will need 20% match funding, with grants of £25,000-£50,000. Deadline: 8 January, 2021
Dance Professionals fund
Grants of up to £2,000 for dancers, dance teachers and choreographers affected by Covid. Applicants must be able to show that they were recently in paid employment in the dance profession up to the start of COVID-19 restrictions. Deadline: March, 2021
Business Wales Cultural Recovery Fund grant
Phase three of the Welsh Cultural Recovery Fund is now open to freelancers and businesses based in Wales who are providing goods or services to the cultural sector. No set deadline, but it's dependent on rate of applications, so if you're eligible, don't hang around. Deadline: ongoing
Help Musicians Hardship Fund
The third phase of one of the major support funds for musicians is now open and will support successful applicants with a monthly top-up until March 2021. Deadline: ongoing
Actor's Children Trust hardship grants
ACT continues to pay Corona-crisis grants of £300 per family per month towards food and bills, as well as specific grants for children’s costs. Please use the contact form so we can check your eligibility as an actor under ACT’s criteria. Deadline: ongoing
Royal Variety Charity Financial Assistance grants
The Royal Variety Charity is uniquely positioned to provide financial assistance to anyone who serves any facet of the Entertainment Industry. Deadline: ongoing
The White Pube Writers Grant funded by Creative Debuts
£500 given out monthly to a working class writer based in the UK. This grant has been set up to support writers of all ages who are early in their careers and would benefit from this no-strings attached financial support to help them in whatever they like. Deadline: ongoing