The Francis Chagrin Awards were awards for composers looking for a small grant of up to £500 to support their work through self-learning projects, equipment, mentoring, and other direct costs for a project or for artist development.
The awards were run with up to 3 rounds per year, intended as agile awards with the aim of aim to supporting specific groups that encounter barriers when it comes to accessing opportunities and sustaining a career. Awards could be used to purchase essential equipment, develop skills, or gain vital artistic and practical insight and experience in working with professional musicians, ensembles or other artistic collaborators, with a view to supporting individuals’ longer-term ability to sustain themselves and their careers.
The awards were not designed as a hardship fund or to supplement projects which had confirmed grant support already.
Between 2013 and 2023, the Francis Chagrin Awards supported over 40 composers to create new works. In 2020, the awards were briefly repurposed into the Covid-19 Composer Awards as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While small in size, the Francis Chagrin award was able to reach a large number of composers.
Francis Chagrin was the founder of the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM). During his career, he composed symphonies, songs, chamber music, and over 200 film scores.
His music is archived in Sound and Music's British Music Collection.
See also
In Motion is an 18-month artist development programme supporting anyone working with music and sound to innovate fundamental breakthroughs in the way they make work and sustain their career.
All applicants to our In Motion programme who have been shortlisted and interviewed are awarded a targeted package of support, including coaching sessions and a small grant.
Learn more about our programmes and awards to see how we support the future of new music.