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 relatable financial guidance for creative workers and is written by me, Matt Parker, a music journalist and lecturer.
Hello! This week I have been reflecting on the first round of the Run Your Money courses, which I ran online with creative students from across the UK at the close of 2020.
Sadly, there were no Dead Poets Society table-tributes at the end, but on the plus side I did not sit backwards on a chair and attempt to discuss TikTok and there were nonetheless lots of very nice comments in the surveys:
“Every lesson felt like a good conversation and the lecturer kept it very realistic and down to earth.”
“I enjoyed the simplicity. It was taught in a way that makes the principles liveable in everyday life.”
“It has calmed my anxiety about checking on my bank account.
This was really great to hear. If nothing else, I wanted the course to give them some tools that might make an actual difference to their day-to-day finances and their happiness, not a bunch of ‘what-ifs’ for 20 years in the future.
I learned a lot from them, too: about what works when communicating ideas about money (I’m still finding out plenty of answers about what doesn’t, tbh); how strong the link is between money and mental frameworks; and that most of them know a lot more than I ever did at that point.
You can read the post I wrote about it all here:
5 lessons learned from talking to creative students about money
Relatedly, Emma Beddington’s piece from The Guardian (below) is very interesting, when it comes to this generational shift in attitudes to money.
And if you’d like to book me to come and talk to your students/ organisation/ step-brother, you can get in touch on creativemoneycontact@gmail.com.
Until next time,
Matt
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What do you need to know this week?
What you need to know if you missed the 2019-20 self-assessment tax return deadline (Which?)
ALCS makes it’s next distribution to members next month – make sure your info is up-to-date (ALCS)
Bands rally to help as jobless roadies turn to food banks (The Observer)
Freelancers Make Theatre Work discuss the EU touring fiasco (BBC News)
Spotify now allows ‘tipping’. But are fan investments a better way for artists to make money? (Music Business Podcast)
Grants and funding opportunities for UK creative workers
CLOSING: Creative Scotland Events Industry Support Fund 2
Established to provide financial support to Scottish businesses operating across the events industry, particularly those in the industry’s supply chain, that are still facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Deadline: 28 February, 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
CLOSING: Home/Manchester City Council Fund for Arts Freelancers
A discretionary fund to support freelancers working in the creative and cultural sectors who are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. The charity is making up to £500,000 available in grants of £1,500 to individual freelancers. Deadline: 2 March, 2021
The Uncultured Early Career Producer Bursaries
Live art/performance producers The Uncultured are offering offering £600 to two Early Career producers and six mentoring sessions. Deadline: 9 March, 2021
PRS Foundation Power Up Programme
The Power Up Participant Programme is designed to elevate exciting Black music creators and industry professionals and address barriers for those at crucial career stages. Support includes grants of up to £15,000, mentoring and marketing support. Deadline: 10 March, 2021
NEW: Creative Scotland Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers
Designed to support creative freelancers working in the arts, creative and screen sectors who are experiencing financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fund will be open to both new and previous applicants to apply for up to £2,000. Opens 2 March, 2021. Deadline: 22 March, 2021.
NEW: A Writing Chance bursary/mentorship scheme
Looking for new and aspiring writers from working-class and lower income backgrounds to take part in A Writing Chance. 10 successful applicants will gain a bursary of £1,500, one-to-one mentoring with an experienced writer and the chance of a byline in national print or online publications. Deadline: 26 March, 2021
Society of Authors Contingency Fund
Helps writers, illustrators, literary translators, scriptwriters, poets, journalists and others, whose author-related activities make up a substantial amount of their annual income. Grants range in value from £500 to £2,000. Deadline: ongoing
ArtCry grants
ArtCry is setup to provide a rapid turnaround of funding for art works responding to current events. Grants of up to £5,000 with a panel of artists, activists, creators and producers making decisions on applications within a week. 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
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