International Showcase Fund

The International Showcase Fund (ISF) offers vital export support for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international showcasing festivals or conferences.

ISF will also support UK-based music creators throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to remain export ready, with grants available to support: virtual performances at international showcases, or performances at UK based showcase events that have an export industry audience.

An ISF Grant can support the following activities:

• For Artists/Bands: ‘In Real Life’ attendance of international showcase events
• For Artists/Bands: Virtual attendance and engagement in International Showcase events via live-stream or pre-recorded performances, plus digital conference attendance
• For Artists/Bands: Virtual or ‘In Real Life’ performance at UK-based events where there is an export focus and a significant international delegation, plus conference attendance
• For Writer/Producers: ‘In Real Life’ attendance of song-writing camps which are geared towards international collaboration, creative and career progression
• For Writer/Producers: Virtual attendance at a song-writing camp which is geared towards international collaboration, and creative and career progression.

You can also apply for up to £1,000 towards the cost of a manager to accompany you/support you.

As showcases generally have short stage turnaround times, and generally just involve linechecks – our advice is that it’s better to rely on the in-house crew. If in certain circumstances you are travelling with a Tour Manager rather than your manager, or other crew please explain in the application why they are required for the specific showcase you are applying for, please do note that partners will prioritise the costs associated with getting the music creator/band to the showcase i.e. travel/accommodation.

If an artist’s disability or accessibility requirements warrant additional support – please see additional access needs section for more information.

ISF runs on a rolling deadline due to varying event organiser schedules. We recommend you apply for funding soon after being invited to showcase in order to give our panel of industry experts and partners enough time to consider your application to turnaround a decision as quickly as possible.

As a rough guide, our experts consider applications 2-3 months before showcase events take place. While the processing of visas is entirely your responsibility, it can take 3 months for some territories. For this reason, we prefer to receive applications 10-12 weeks prior to the event taking place and must receive applications at least 8 weeks prior to the event taking place.

Am I eligible for support from the International Showcase Fund? Are you a band/artist/songwriter based in the UK? Do you write and/or perform your own music, that is exceptional? Have you been invited to perform or participate in real life or virtually at the following: an international event, with a conference element, that is geared towards music industry professionals, rather than the general public at a UK based event that has a clear export focus and is geared towards non-UK international music industry professionals, rather than the general public in a songwriting camp which is geared towards international collaboration and creative and career progression** Have you got a good profile in the UK (i.e. been featured in the national press/had airplay on national radio/and indie release)? Do you have a list of meetings with music industry executives (e.g. publishers, labels, agents, etc.) confirmed for when you are at your chosen showcase? Do you have a strong business case for attending this specific event (e.g. are you building upon prior success there, or following up on significant buzz surrounding your band in that particular country)? Are you in need of funding support and not in a situation where other companies can and should cover the relevant costs of your in real life or virtual participation?***

** We will prioritise supporting songwriters at camps associated with international showcasing and conference events but welcome applications for one-off writing camps. For longer-term songwriting career development, including international activity, see the Hitmaker Fund

** Can signed artists apply? The International Showcase Fund can and often supports artists and music creators signed to record labels, publishing companies and those working with existing team members. However, you will be asked when applying which companies you are working with and why ISF support is still needed, and advisors and partners may feel based on your application that support is not required. We expect to see financial contributions from medium-large companies who will benefit financially from the applicant being supported with public and private funding via the International Showcase Fund.

We encourage applications from DIY/self-releasing artists and from those signed to independent labels when still in need of support. If you are signed to a major label or major affiliated label or publisher in the territory you are travelling to, you are ineligible for ISF support and should not apply.

Eligible events are those that have a mostly international music industry audience or delegation. This applies in the current Covid-19 pandemic across International Showcase events, virtual attendance at international showcase events and song-writing camps, and UK events^ with an export focus and non-UK based music industry audience.

The fund cannot support artists to play at festivals for the general public, or to attend conferences solely as a delegate. Support for UK-based showcase activity is considered on case-by case basis, where partners deem them to be strategically important with priority always going towards showcases in international markets. Please contact the grants team for clarity ahead of an application.