Anthem. Music Fund Wales

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Target £300,000 per annum (from 2021 onwards); £379,933 awarded over recent two-year period
• Success Rate: Competitive (Round 4 received 38 applications for limited funding)
• Decision Time: Panel meets mid-March; applicants notified by end of March (typical cycle)
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 per project
• Geographic Focus: Wales only
• Project Duration: 6-24 months

Contact Details

• Website: www.anthem.wales
• Email: post@anthem.wales
• Phone: 07966450299
• Programme Manager (Atsain Fund): Alexandra Jones (Programme Manager listed on team page)
• Pre-application Support: Anthem offers online webinars for prospective applicants to discuss project eligibility and application process

Overview

ANTHEM. MUSIC FUND WALES (Charity Number 1182024) was established in 2018 by the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales with an initial £1 million investment to create Wales's first endowment fund for youth music. The charity advances young people in Wales aged 3-25 by supporting them to reach their potential through musical opportunities and activities across all genres. Led by Chief Executive Officer Rhian Hutchings since 2020, Anthem seeks to identify and nurture musical talent while supporting career pathways in music and the music industry. The fund emerged from an independent Music Services Task and Finish Group recommendation and represents a pioneering approach to sustainable music funding in Wales. In the financial year ending March 2024, the charity had total income of £203,637 and expenditure of £309,328. Over the past two years, Anthem has invested £379,933 through their Atsain Fund, supporting 45 youth music organizations across Wales.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Atsain Fund: Up to £10,000 per project (6-24 months duration)

• Supports organizations running music-making projects or creating music career progression opportunities
• Funded in partnership with Youth Music (supported by People's Postcode Lottery players)
• Rolling application rounds (Round 6 recently closed)
• Applications accepted through online portal
• Alternative formats welcomed (video up to 10 minutes, PowerPoint, audio), though budget must be submitted in written form

Priority Areas

Anthem funds projects that address barriers to music participation for young people aged 0-25 who experience obstacles through:

• Life circumstances (e.g., financial hardship, disability, mental health challenges)
• Geographical issues (rural isolation, lack of local provision)
• Identity or background (marginalized genders, ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ youth)

Recent funded projects include:

• Music workshops for disabled children and young people
• Urban music talent development programs
• Welsh language music industry development
• Multi-cultural music projects for diverse communities
• Music sessions for D/deaf children
• Choir programs for young people seeking sanctuary
• Contemporary music masterclasses for underserved communities
• Digital wellbeing through songwriting initiatives
• Music career progression pathways

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but the fund is clearly focused on youth music projects (ages 0-25) in Wales that address barriers to participation. Projects outside Wales or not focused on young people would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (14 total)

Chair: Emyr Afan Davies OBE - CEO of Afanti Media Ltd, award-winning producer, former recording artist, and classically trained tenor. Succeeded founding chair David Alston MBE in recent appointment. Emyr stated: “I have long admired the values and purpose of Anthem along with the tenacity and vision of Chief Executive Rhian Hutchings. If only this sort of provision was available when I was a young musician.”

Vice Chairs:

• Ryan Singh - HR Advisor and Chairman
• Gwenda Carnie - Media and entertainment lawyer

Other Trustees:

• Catrin Roberts - Director of Partnerships at S4C (Welsh language broadcaster)
• Dafydd Hedd - Recording artist and former Youth Forum member
• Natalie Roe - Composer and electronic artist
• Sheryl Njini - Project Coordinator and Creative Curator (also Programme Assistant on staff)
• Ben Lewis - CEO of Young Voices
• Hayley Smith - Music and tech industry professional
• Ify Iwobi - Classical/contemporary pianist
• Tayla-Leigh Payne - Composer
• James Radcliffe - Politics and public affairs professional
• Laurence Collier - Musician, composer, and event organizer
• Pea Pearson - Oboe student at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• Rosemary Morwenna Brown - Music industry professional

Senior Staff

Chief Executive Officer: Rhian Hutchings - Opera director, creative producer, and connector with 20 years in participatory music sector in Wales. Founded Operasonic in Newport, led Youth & Community team at Welsh National Opera for seven years. Rhian stated: “Anthem has an extremely important job to do. Our culture has music at its heart and yet, the pathways to, and progression routes in music have been seriously eroded over the last ten years.”

Other Staff Members:

• Rebecca Hobbs - Fundraising Manager
• Alexandra Jones - Programme Manager
• Tori Sillman - Communications Manager
• Sheryl Njini - Programme Assistant
• Elijah Jeffery - Anthem Gateway Discord Manager
• Lennon Williams - Anthem Gateway Project Manager
• Richard Jones - Anthem Gateway Content Manager
• Heledd Holloway - Fundraising Assistant

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal during open funding rounds. The process includes:

• Project narrative (written form preferred, but video/audio/PowerPoint accepted up to 10 minutes)
• Project budget template (must be in written form)
• Supporting documents

Accessibility: Anthem welcomes applications in alternative formats including video, audio, or PowerPoint. Materials in large print and audiovisual formats are available. Contact the Programme Manager to discuss additional access needs or costs.

Application Documents Available:

• Application Guidance
• Large Print Guidance
• Example Application Form
• Grant Holder Privacy Notice
• Complaints Procedure

Decision Timeline

• Applications close on specified deadline (varies by round)
• Panel meets mid-March (typical timing for spring rounds)
• Applicants notified of decisions by end of March
• Estimated timeline: Approximately 4-6 weeks from closing date to notification

Success Rates

The Atsain Fund is competitive:

• Round 4: Received 38 applications requesting total of £308,000; only “a small amount” of projects were funded
• Round 1: 15 organizations funded (£140,000 awarded)
• Over 2 years: 45 organizations funded (£379,933 total)
• Estimated success rate: Approximately 30-40% based on available data

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented in available sources. Applicants should contact the Programme Manager for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on Anthem's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Barrier Identification: Successful projects explicitly address specific barriers young people face in accessing music, such as:

• Financial hardship preventing participation
• Lack of role models from similar backgrounds
• Limited industry networks and progression pathways
• Geographical isolation or lack of local provision
• Disability access requirements
• Language barriers or cultural exclusion

2. Youth-Centered Approach: Projects that genuinely empower young people aged 0-25, with several funded projects involving youth voice, peer leadership, or former participants as trustees

3. Inclusive and Accessible Design: Anthem has funded multiple projects specifically for:

• Disabled children and young people
• D/deaf participants
• Marginalized genders in music
• Young asylum seekers and refugees
• LGBTQ+ youth
• Rural communities

4. Welsh Context: Projects rooted in Welsh communities, with several Welsh language projects funded (Maes B, Gwallgofiaid) demonstrating commitment to Welsh cultural identity

5. Career Progression Elements: Beyond participation, many funded projects include industry skills development, recording opportunities, or pathways to professional music careers

6. Partnership and Collaboration: Many successful applicants work in partnership with other organizations or demonstrate connection to broader music sector networks

7. Alternative Application Formats: Anthem actively welcomes video, audio, and visual presentations, suggesting they value creativity and accessibility in the application itself

Strategic Guidance:

• Attend the pre-application webinars - these provide opportunities to discuss eligibility and get direct feedback
• Use the Example Application Form as a guide
• Contact Programme Manager Alexandra Jones with questions before applying
• Consider submitting in alternative format if it better showcases your work with young people
• Demonstrate understanding of specific barriers facing your target participants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Barrier-focused approach is essential: Applications must clearly articulate specific barriers preventing young people from accessing music and how the project addresses these obstacles
• Wales-specific funding: Only projects based in Wales for young people in Wales are eligible; demonstrate local knowledge and community connections
• Competitive but accessible process: While success rates suggest competition, Anthem actively supports applicants through webinars and welcomes alternative application formats
• Youth empowerment lens: The charity values projects that put young people at the heart, not just as beneficiaries but as active participants and leaders
• Diversity and inclusion priority: Strong track record of funding projects for marginalized groups; highlight inclusive design and accessibility
• Pre-application engagement encouraged: Use webinars and Programme Manager contact to test ideas and refine applications before submission
• Welsh language welcome: Several funded projects operate in Welsh; bilingual or Welsh-medium projects align with cultural mission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru)
• Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity
• Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn
• The Gaynor Cemlyn-Jones Trust
• Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust
• Cardiff YMCA (1910) Trust
• Powys Welsh Church Fund
• The Monmouthshire County Council Welsh Church Act Fund
• The Austin Bailey Foundation
• The County Council of Dyfed Welsh Church Fund

References

1. Anthem. Music Fund Wales official website - www.anthem.wales
2. “Apply for funding” - Anthem. Music Fund Wales - https://www.anthem.wales/apply-for-funding/
3. “Who we have funded” - Anthem. Music Fund Wales - https://www.anthem.wales/who-we-have-funded/
4. "Who's Who at Anthem" - Anthem. Music Fund Wales - https://www.anthem.wales/anthem-team/
5. Charity Commission Register - ANTHEM. MUSIC FUND WALES (1182024) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5126265
6. “Anthem, Music Fund Wales” - GOV.WALES - https://www.gov.wales/anthem-music-fund-wales
7. “Anthem Music Fund Wales announces new chair, Emyr Afan OBE” - Anthem - https://www.anthem.wales/new-chair-announcement/
8. “Applications now open for Atsain” - Anthem. Music Fund Wales - https://www.anthem.wales/applications-open-atsain/
9. Arts Council of Wales - "Atsain Fund - a new cohort & a new funding round" - https://arts.wales/news-jobs-opportunities/atsain-fund-new-cohort-new-funding-round
10. Music Mark - "Anthem, the fund for young people's music in Wales, appoints its first Chief Executive" - https://www.musicmark.org.uk/news/anthem-the-fund-for-young-peoples-music-in-wales-appoints-its-first-chief-executive/