In news that may add value to not for profit festivals working with upcoming artists, Global rehearsal studio network Pirate Studios and cultural youth organisation Small Green Shoots have announced anew three-year community partnership: the Studios For All Fund. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, this initiative will empower charities, CICs and organisations already working in England to engage disadvantaged, marginalised, and vulnerable individuals through music. Over the next three years, the Studios For All Fund will allocate £180,000 worth of studio time to at least 120 such groups across the country.
Makeda Mcmillan , Small Green Shoots, Managing Director said “We are overjoyed to be working on the Studio For All programme with Pirate Studios and The National Lottery. Gaining access to affordable studio time and creative space can be a real challenge especially for emerging, independent and diverse talent. This programme really addresses those barriers and provides a solution. As one of the industry’s leading black cultural organisations, we are excited to be a partner and have our young Shoots involved too!”
The new scheme will build on the success of a pilot partnership launched in 2021, which saw Small Green Shoots and Pirate Studios engage arts groups to provide over 800 young people with 7,500 hours of studio time at Pirate’s facilities—Pirate operates over 700 DJ studios, band rehearsal spaces, recording studios, dance studios, and podcast studios worldwide.
“At Pirate, we believe that having access to music studios can make a genuine difference in someone’s life. Through the Studios For All Fund, we’re excited to help charities, CICs, and organisations give disadvantaged individuals the chance to explore music, art, and creativity in our studios. We’re incredibly proud to continue our work with Small Green Shoots and The National Lottery to make this happen.”
David Borrie, Pirate Studios, CEO
With projects set to begin on 7th October 2024, the Studios For All Fund will facilitate an inclusive environment where arts charities and organisations can effectively carry out their important work, allowing individuals to explore their talents and express themselves creatively through music, dance, or media, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Additionally, the fund will create pathways for disadvantaged young people into the music and creative industries. This includes onboarding three trainees from Small Green Shoots for 12-month secondments and paid training to help run the scheme, as well as offering free access to professional music studio spaces in England for over 1,000 people each year.
Furthermore, Pirate Studios and Small Green Shoots will host an annual showcase to highlight the talent being fostered through the scheme.
To apply for the Studios For All Fund, charities and organisations must visit https://pirate.com/en/studios-for-all-fund/ and complete the online application form. The application form encourages applicants to outline how they plan to use the studio hours to benefit their communities, asking for specific details on the initiatives they will run and the positive outcomes they expect to achieve for disadvantaged or marginalised groups.
