Guidelines - unchanged for 2019
We are a small Foundation with funds from the royalties generated by performances, broadcasts and publication of the works of composer Michael Tippett (1905-98). When he set up the Foundation, Tippett said he wanted the funds to go towards young musicians and composers, not towards promoting his own works.
As funds are limited the Trustees have decided to focus on one area of musical activity as their single priority, described below.
Key Points
Single priority:
the development of group music making especially involving young people, with composition central to the project.
See more: What we might support and What Trustees want to see.
Size of grants:
grants may be between £500 - £4,000. The average grant is around £2,000.
See more: What we might give
Timing:
one meeting a year in the autumn, deadline September.
See more: When to apply
How to apply:
short covering letter, project description max 2 single-sided A4 pages, single page project budget. Applications are required in both electronic and paper format.
See more: Applications should include
Exclusions:
instruments, equipment, recordings, individual study costs, retrospective applications.
See more: What we cannot support
What we might support
- Our single priority is the development of group music making, especially involving young people in projects incorporating composition and creative ideas.
- Because of our link with a major composer, the Trustees wish to see composition as central to projects put forward for support. These can include applications from organisations for group projects working with young composers, perhaps at postgraduate or early professional level, offering innovative ways for young composers to develop their talents and experience through engaging with group musical activity.
- Grants awarded will be made towards creative musical activity, not instruments or equipment. Projects might be first-time initiatives or the development of existing projects and must be based in the UK.
What Trustees want to see
For an application to be successful the Trustees will pay particular attention to:
- projects involving young people: Trustees hope to see applications which aim to open young people’s ears, to stimulate creativity in sound and provide a springboard for young composers to move forward with aspiration.
- the project's musical aspirations: Trustees want to see that the project is aiming for music making of high quality within the project context. We recognise that creative projects may take many different styles and forms.
- projects taking place in or out of school, college or university, or in community settings will be considered. Projects involving young composers should indicate how the project will assist their professional development.
- the artistic leadership of the project: Trustees believe strongly in the importance of a project’s artistic leadership. The artistic leader/s involved in the project (i.e. composer, musician, conductor, director, workshop leader etc.) should be clearly identified and named in the application.
- how the project will be planned, managed and evaluated: Trustees want to know who is responsible for the management of the schedule, the participants, appointment of the leaders, evaluation and the budget. If your application is successful we will ask for a report on the project when it is completed, so plans for evaluation should be made from the start.
What we might give
Grants are likely to be between £500 and £4,000, with the average grant in the region of £2,000. All grants are made on a one-off basis - award of a grant in one year does not carry any probability of repeat funding the following year. Because demand is so much greater than the funds available, only a minority of applications can be supported – in 2018 the success rate was one in five applications. The Trustees will be cautious about considering a small grant from the Foundation towards a project on a significantly larger budget scale.
When to apply
The Trustees normally hold one meeting a year, in the autumn. In 2019 the deadline for receipt of applications will be Monday 30 September. Projects for consideration should be planned well ahead and not start earlier than December 2019.
Applications should include
1. A short introductory letter (maximum 1 page of A4) clearly identifying the organisation and individual/s applying, the sum requested, and the names and contact details of two referees willing to support the application.
2. A Project Description (maximum two single-sided A4 pages) for presentation to Trustees, covering the following areas. Please note: overlong applications will be cut.
- Title: Organisation applying, project title and sum requested
- Musical aspirations, aims, content and intended outcomes - see points above
- Numbers and ages of participants with names of schools or other organisations which will benefit/participate in the project and a plan for recruitment if not working with pre-existing groups
- The artistic leadership of the project - named and with experience detailed
- Project plan including the start date, time frame, number of sessions and where it will take place
- The management of the project and plans for evaluation
3. The project budget, preferably on a single page, showing estimated expenditure and anticipated income from all sources, including grants and applications to other bodies, with explanatory notes if needed. The Trustees understand that a grant from the Tippett Foundation may be only one of a number of different funding sources. Additional information (e.g. biographies of project leaders) can be enclosed if wished and will be used for reference. Please do not send CDs, DVDs, movies or videos.
4. Format: *** Applications should be sent in both electronic and paper format ***
By email to: admin@tippettfoundation.org.uk. You can separate out the letter, project description and budget in separate attachments and submit in .doc, .docx., .pdf, .xls or .xlsx format. If you want to provide sound/visual evidence, you can give a weblink, but please do not incorporate media effects in your application.
And
by streetmail to: Gwyn Rhydderch, Secretary, The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation, 50 Broadway, London SW1H OBL.
All applications received will be acknowledged.
What we cannot support
The Trustees regret they cannot consider requests for funding towards purchase of musical instruments or equipment; computer hardware, software or accessories; or towards capital purchase or development.
We also regret that funds are unfortunately not large enough to respond to other needs such as study fees or maintenance costs for individuals, or general performance or recording costs, or commissions for solely professional performance.
Funding for projects already completed cannot be considered.
Please observe these policy guidelines and do not apply for projects outside the priority area. The Trustees will not be able to consider additional requests, and applications beyond the priority area will not be submitted for consideration.
The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation, 50 Broadway, London SW1H OBL Charity registration no. 278469