Fame Academy Bursary Scheme
BBC New Talent first approached the hub in April 2003 to help them develop a scheme that would enable it to reinvest appropriately the money made from Fame Academy-related record sales and phone calls back into British music. The brief was clear; BBC New Talent wanted to do something new, something different from other more traditional music funders. They asked us to not only develop ideas for the funding programme itself, but also to make recommendations about whether they should set up a new charity to run it, or channel the funds via an existing organisation.
The timetable was tight, and in three weeks we did a lot of thinking, pacing, planning and budgeting to come up with our proposal. Our report to the client laid down detailed plans, timetables and budgets for two schemes, one giving 11-15 year olds opportunities to buy new instruments, and the other providing three-year bursaries to musicians at the start of their professional careers. It also recommended that a new charity should be established to give out the awards.
BBC New Talent liked what we said, and three years on we’ve managed the Scheme in its first two years. We’ve also developed recommendations for an Urban Music Award, which supports urban musicians, producers and other entrepeneurs, and managed this in its first year too.
We’re really proud of our involvement in the Fame Academy Bursary Scheme. It goes to the heart of the hub’s approach; it deepens the impact of a high-profile brand and impacts on its own brand value, whilst creating a real difference for the lives of the young musicians.
To date over 450 young people have won instrument and equipment awards valued at up to £1,200 each; ten people have won the Fame Academy Education Bursaries, worth up to £37 500 each, and 17 people have won an Urban Music Award worth between £5000 and £10 000.
‘the hub came highly recommended as ‘can do’ people. After they delivered a clear, concise, practical plan of the shape of the project, we engaged them to manage the bursary for us. We’ve relied on them every step of the way and have found them friendly, imaginative, diligent and dependable.’
Lorna Clarke - Fame Academy Bursary Trustee and Head of BBC New Talent
Similar projects
Promoter Platform: Support and training for promoters and producers of urban music in the East Midlands
Jazz Services: creating a new National Touring Support Scheme