The next round of the Atsain Fund opens for applications on 27 February 2023 and closes on 27 March 2023. Organisations can apply up to £10,000 for 6-24 months funding.

Atsain Fund launched 12 months ago and supports organisations working for young people engaging in music who experience barriers through life circumstances, geographical issues, identity or background, and is backed by investment from Youth Music thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and Anthem’s resources with support from founding patrons and Welsh Government.

In 2022, organisations benefited from funding of over £220,000 to help them deliver projects to help address barriers to music for young people in Wales.

The Autumn 2022 cohort of organsiations benefiting from the fund includes

Arts Active, Music Theatre Wales, Oasis One World Choir, UCAN Productions, Grand Ambition, Swansea MAD, Little Live Projects, Sistema Codi’r to, Tanio, Torfaen Council, Rockworks, and Wrexham Sounds.

Each organisation were able to apply for up to £10,000 to help them deliver specific music projects for young people in Wales that address a specific barrier to engagement.

Alex Rees, Creative Learning Lead: Music and Sound for UCAN said:

“UCAN are delighted to receive Atsain funding. It will make a real difference to our blind and partially sighted members, as we renew our in-person music participation work following the pandemic. We will develop and share best practice guidelines and techniques, explore music technology accessibility, and deliver accredited Arts Awards.”

Anthem Ambassador Huw Stephens said: 

“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of youth music organisations across Wales being supported by the Atsain Fund. Without providing opportunities for young people to get involved in music in their local areas, we won’t grow the next generation of musicians.”

More information about how to apply can be found on the Apply for Funding page.