The Seed Award is an award offered to all shortlisted applicants for our In Motion programme whom we interview but were not selected for the main programme.
Over the years, we have seen an increasing number of applicants to our programmes such as New Voices and now In Motion. At the final point of selection, we have many more applicants we would like to support long-term than we realistically can with our resources. In 2019, we piloted offering a smaller package of support to shortlisted but not selected composers, as a way of tapering the support and being able to help more composers move their ideas forward.
Following positive feedback and recommendations by participating composers, we have since built on this offer, expanding the Seed Award to be a limited and comprehensive package of support. The intended aim of the Seed Award is to recognise the work composers have put in reaching the final stages of selection, and support them to move their ideas one step forward and be in a stronger position to secure funding or other support for their development and creative ideas.
How does it work?
Applicants to In Motion who have reached the final stage of the application process are invited to interview by members of the panel. We invite 18 composers to interview, of which ten are selected for In Motion and eight will be offered the Seed Award.
There is no separate application or selection process for the Seed Award.
The Seed Award has previously included a small bursary, coaching, networking sessions, and strategic thinking sessions with a dedicated team member over a period of 3-6 months. As a Seed Awardee you will be part of our alumni network and be eligible to apply for alumni-only opportunities, such SoundEscapes or our New Music Commissioning Programme.
We assess and shape the Seed Award with each iteration to ensure the offer stays relevant and impactful.
Previous winners
Between 2019 and 2022, the Seed Award was offered to shortlisted applicants to our New Voices programme. We continue to support composers in this way through the In Motion application process. Through the Seed Award, we have supported over 50 composers through meaningful, targeted support at a critical stage in their creative journeys.
2020
See also
In Motion is our annual artist development programme for anyone aged 18 and over working with music and sound in the UK. It is artist-led and celebrates the curious and intrepid.
In the Making is our annual trailblazing artist development programme for young people aged 14-18 and it is the only programme of its type in the UK that supports young composers.
New Voices was an 18-month programme that ran from 2018 to 2023 and supported composers at pivotal stages of their careers to explore new ideas, new sounds and new music.