A new COVID-19 emergency relief fund for the Irish music industry has been launched.
Set up by Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and First Music Contact (FMC), the fund has been created to assist Irish music creators who are currently experiencing the most financial need. It is open to songwriters, composers, performers, session musicians and arrangers who are currently trying to navigate through this challenging time.
As well as financial contributions by IMRO and IRMA, Spotify is making a donation and is also matching donations made to the Irish Music Industry Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund via its Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief page, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total Spotify contribution of $10 million for the collective verified organizations worldwide.
Eleanor McEvoy, chair of IMRO, said: “Many talented and beloved members of the Irish creative community are struggling financially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that this fund can help to ease some of their worries and fears. We are also appealing to anyone who is passionate about Irish music to donate to the fund to ensure we can help as many people as possible. It is essential that the Irish music industry survives this crisis, not just for the benefit of music creators, but for the benefit of our country. Music unites us and is fundamental to who we are. Losing it would be detrimental to our society and culture.”
Successful applicants will receive a once-off emergency relief payment to the value of €750. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of music industry professionals from a wide spectrum of industry sectors and organisations. Apply here and see below for the application requirements.
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.
