Boost for Welsh Grassroots Music Venues as Creative Wales Announce New Fund

Music Venue Trust is delighted to announce that Welsh venues will now be able to apply for funding from Creative Wales to go towards improving and increasing their commercial outlook and sustainability. Launched on 29 January, Creative Wales will support the growth of the creative industries in Wales and has identified the music industry as one of their key priority areas. The launch of the Grassroots Music Venues Fund is the first step in their programme. The fund opens immediately, and Welsh venues can apply for financial support to make physical or business improvements to strengthen their operation.

Music Venue Trust has been building a relationship with Welsh Government since 2016 and Creative Wales has been launched to champion the creative industries in Wales, providing a strong and unified voice for the sector. They have identified Grassroots Music Venues as a key platform from which such talent can be developed, nurtured and grown.

To receive full info about this fund please email creativewales@gov.wales to request it.

Lord Elis-Thomas
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism

“I’m delighted to announce the Grassroots Music Venues Fund as part of the launch of Creative Wales today. Our focus will be on developing the grassroots industry by supporting venues, labels, rehearsal spaces and skills, so young Welsh talent can be nurtured and developed. We want to work closely with the industry and help the music industry to grow organically, especially at grassroots levels.”

Mark Davyd, CEO & Founder of MVT

“It is good to hear Creative Wales state that the grassroots live music industry is crucial to the development of musicians and audiences across the country. The new fund is clearly laid out with a simple application process which means that members of the Welsh Music Venues Alliance will be able to respond to this great opportunity quickly, securing money they badly need to improve both artist and audience experiences, while making their own operations more sustainable.”

Music Venue Trust will offer support to venues wishing to apply, as they have with venues in England making applications to Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund.

Sam Dabb, Le Pub, Newport

“This new fund is a fantastic opportunity for Grassroots Music Venues in Wales, and I’m absolutely delighted that music is going to be a focus for Creative Wales. Venues in Wales have been crying out for support, and this fund could make a real difference to our music community.”

With a 3rd Welsh Venues Meeting planned for March 2020 this marks a positive start to the year for grassroots music in Wales.

Creative Wales launch information: https://gov.wales/new-priorities-support-growth-wales-creative-industries