The Music Managers Forum (MMF), which stars on the cover of the new issue of Music Week, and YouTube Music have announced the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers will return in 2020.
Accelerator, which offers financial and educational support including 12-month grants of up to £15,000, aims to increase the number of sustainable full-time management businesses, empowering them to work with a greater range of creative talent.
The initiative is the world’s first independent funding and professional development programme designed solely for artist, songwriter and producer managers.
Accelerator has already offered a career-changing experience for 24 upcoming music managers
Fiona McGugan
MMF
“MMF are absolutely thrilled that YouTube Music recognises the importance of Accelerator and that the programme will return next year," said Fiona McGugan, MMF’s strategy & operations director. "It has already offered a career-changing experience for 24 upcoming music managers, and we look forward to sharing some of the impact data and successes in time for the opening of 2020 applications on October 15.”
Accelerator is already benefitting 24 upcoming managers across England and Scotland, between them representing more than 60 clients including Poppy Ajudha, Ider, Murkage Dave, Moses Boyd, Be Charlotte, Voyager, Shabaka Hutchings, Effie and Lyra.
With additional backing from Arts Council England and the Scottish Music Industry Association, participants on 2019’s programme have also benefited from more than 80 hours of manager-specific education courses.
Roz Mansfield, YouTube Music artist partnerships manager, said: "As well as supporting the next wave of British talent, we also want to support the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the industry function, grow and succeed. We at YouTube Music are so proud to be a sponsor of MMF and their Accelerator Programme and look forward to seeing what these talented managers go on to do next."
Applications open on October 15, with full details to be published soon at www.themmf.net/accelerator
