Another update in the world of government & industry action toward protecting the creative sector during this pandemic.
A new relief fund has been launched here in Ireland for musicians through the collective effort of the Irish Music Industry’s representative bodies.
The Irish Music Industry COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund is launching today. This new fund is the result of collaborative work between IMRO, IRMA, and First Music Contact – with financial contributions also coming from streaming giant Spotify.
All administering of the funds by successful applicants will happen via bank transfer through First Music Contact.
The new scheme aspires to help out musicians who have found themselves severely financially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly through the loss of revenue generated via live performance.
Spotify’s contribution comes via matched donations (up to $10 million) on their Covid-19 Music Relief donation page. You can check that out here.
No word yet on how much money total is actually available to the fund, but successful applicants will receive a once-off payment of €750.
Musicians who wish to apply must do so through FMC, head over here.
Included below is the exact information we were given on the criteria for applying to the new fund.
Application requirements:
a) Applicants must be a Songwriter, Composer, Performer, Session Musician or Arranger
b) Applicants must demonstrate either:
i) that they have earned in excess of €500 but less than €50,000 in royalties from IMRO in the last two years;
OR,
ii) that they have had performances to a minimum value of €500 cancelled for the three-month period following the 13th of March, 2020.
c) Applicants must be resident in Ireland and/or an Irish national.
d) Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial hardship as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
e) Applicants must not be in receipt of payment from any similar music industry relief fund in another jurisdiction.
This new fund arrives after the rather confusing and poorly organised announcement of five aid measures put into place to assist the artist community earlier in April. We covered those extensively, you can find it here.
It’s important not to conflate the government’s new schemes (proposed earlier in the month) with what is essentially the Irish Music Industry’s steps (those launched today).
