Three grants of up to £1000 each are to be awarded to promising young artists by the Alan Surtees Trust, set up in memory of the much-loved Shrewsbury Folk Festival Director.

The grants will be given to artists who show exceptional skill, talent and promise in their field and whose work is rooted in, or influenced by, folk and traditional music and arts. The funding can go towards a variety of uses included mentoring, new instruments and equipment, or recording a debut album.

“As someone who has benefitted from grants in early stages of their career, I know how it can help you grow and develop your career. Alan was passionate about discovering and helping young performers make their name and this is a very fitting way to open the grant giving from the trust in his name.”
Hannah James, Chair of the Alan Surtees Trust

Qualifying criteria

Applicants for the grants should be aged between 16 and 30 at the time of application. They must live in the UK and not already have significant financial backing.

Grants of up to £1,000 per person while be given for mentoring and tuition from experts in the genre, hiring of rehearsal and creative space, costs towards new instruments and equipment, recording and production of a debut album, production of promotional materials or project research and development expenses such as artist fees or travel expenses.

The closing date for applications is April 9. Only successful candidates will be contacted and the three successful recipients will be announced in June.

For more information and to apply for a grant go to the Alan Surtees Trust website.