Financial Hardship
We know that most musicians aren’t in it for the money. Finances can be hard, particularly over the past few years when research revealed that 96% are worried about their financial situation with 70% not confident they will be ‘able to cope financially’ over the next six months.
There are many organisations out there with funding available for musicians in need:
-
![]()
Musicians' Union
The Musicians’ Union offers several different types of grants or funds to their members, and have also signposted other organisations who offer financial support.
-
![]()
Help Musicians
Help Musicians has played a vital role in assisting people through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. They take applications from musicians in financial need at all points of the year.
-
![]()
Incorporated Society of Musicians
Members of the Incorporated Society of Musicians are able to access a range of services through their sister charity, the ISM Members Fund, which supports the health and welfare of ISM members.
-
![]()
The Royal Society of Musicians
The Royal Society of Musicians support musicians in need as per their guidelines. They accept applications from current members or upon recommendation.
-
![]()
The Royal Variety Charity
The Royal Variety Charity’s help is UK-wide and the charity works to support and assist 1,000's each year, who have worked professionally in the entertainment industries.
-
![]()
The Theatre Community Fund
The Theatre Community Fund has been established to support the theatrical artists and professionals whose livelihoods and creative futures have been threatened in the wake of Covid-19.
-
![]()
Education Support
Education Support may be able to help if you are working in or retired from the education sector and are suffering financial problems caused by unemployment, ill health, sudden life events, bereavement or a personal injury.
-
![]()
PRS for Music Foundation
At PRS Foundation, there are many initiatives that provide financial support for the creation, performance, and/or promotion of outstanding music.
-
![]()
Youth Music
Youth Music is a charitable funder. They give grants to other organisations - small charities, arts venues, music businesses, youth clubs, music education hubs, housing associations, nurseries and more - to run music making projects or create career progression opportunities in music. Youth Music funding is made available through a grants applications process, with several funding rounds each year.
There is a lot of stigma about Universal Credit, although hopefully the necessity of it during the pandemic will have helped better inform some people’s views. Although work seems to be coming back after the pandemic, it might take us a long time to recover our finances and ability to work so please ask for help even if you feel like you should be financial stable by now.
It is possible to receive Universal Credit whilst self-employed, and can often help in those months like the summer holidays where teaching is sparse. See the video below on how to apply, or you can get help through registering and sending messages through your ‘Journal’.
Financial hardship can be particularly stressful on our mental health (“musicians who cannot work don’t just suffer financially, they grieve for the creativity and connections that their music usually brings”). See our other resource pages for more information if you are suffering or visit Mind’s page on ‘money and mental health’.
We recommend
Accommodation
“Affordable, flexible, reliable and trustworthy accommodation for theatre professionals.”
Appliances
“Borrow useful things for your home, projects and adventures. Affordable. Convenient. Kinder to the planet.” Based in London.
Events
Musician's Union (MU) members, and students (with valid MU, NUS, ISC cards) can access the club for half price (£6) Wednesdays and Thursdays after 11.15pm subject to availability.
Haircuts
Lots of cities have hairdressing academies or salons with student courses where you can get free or discounted haircuts/hair appointments. There are often also Facebook groups/other forums advertising free or discounted haircuts and colours from students at different salons.
Jobs
Cat sitting is easy to do on your terms and perfect when you have a quiet week here and there, and doesn’t require masses of energy or time. Generally, cat sitters visit the clients’ cats every day, either with house visits or by cat sitting overnight.
Same goes for dog sitting, though obviously this requires a little more time and energy. Getting away from our instruments/work can often be exactly what we need.
Photos
You will have most definitely seen musician friends showing off their new photos by Olivia. She often has deals on and special rates for musicians and students etc. Hattie and I had the most comfortable shoot ever with Olivia, and we didn’t even have an instrument to hide behind!
Software
If you’re a full-time student, you can get Dorico SE for free, and if you’re a music teacher with Sibelius or Finale, you can buy a Dorico crossgrade by showing proof of ownership of current software, and you’ll save a significant amount of money. Dorico for iPad is free for all from the App Store.
Yoga
Based in the US, Yoga for All Musicians has a hugely busy weekly schedule of online classes, and other extras classes on musicians’ wellbeing, meditation and (online and in-person) retreats. Run by musicians for musicians, we can’t recommend their work highly enough! They have discounted membership plans for students, we think their gift cards might be one of the best musician-friendly presents out there (much better than a treble clef mug).