Pettman (classical Music) Foundation

Charity Number: 1095917

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

Stay updated on changes from Pettman (classical Music) Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £132,000 (2025 financial year)
  • Annual Expenditure: £132,044
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Selection through partner programs
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £11,500 per recipient
  • Geographic Focus: New Zealand (beneficiaries must be from NZ)

Contact Details

Address: Kildwick Hall, Kildwick, Keighley BD20 9AE, United Kingdom

Phone: 01535633423

Email: richard.dobbins@btopenworld.com

Website: pettman.academy (currently not accessible)

Charity Number: 1095917

Overview

The Pettman (Classical Music) Foundation was established by trust deed on 9 May 2002, amended by supplemental deed on 23 January 2003, and further amended on 6 July 2017. The foundation was created by the late Professor Barrie Pettman (1944-2017), a British publisher and philanthropist, and his wife Lady Maureen Pettman. The charity's primary mission is to assist the education of persons from disadvantaged backgrounds by reason of their poverty and economic circumstances from New Zealand in the field of classical music. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed approximately £132,000 annually through scholarships and grants, focusing on helping talented young New Zealand musicians fulfil their potential through international study and performance opportunities. Professor Pettman was also a founding patron of Opera North and instrumental in supporting musical education across both the UK and New Zealand.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through three main scholarship programs rather than direct grant applications:

Pettman National Junior Academy of Music (PNJA)

  • 45 scholarships at NZ$4,000 (approximately £1,900) each annually
  • Covers individual lessons, masterclasses, performance opportunities, and competition preparation
  • Application method: Annual auditions held in April
  • Based in New Zealand for musicians aged 8-18

ROSL Pettman Scholarship

  • Two individual scholarships at NZ$15,000 (approximately £7,100) each
  • Covers international flights, accommodation, food, tutoring, and course fees for northern hemisphere study
  • Selection: Recipients chosen from AWE (At the World's Edge) Festival Emerging Artists program
  • Application method: Through AWE Festival participation (no direct application to Pettman Foundation)

Pettman DARE Fellowship

  • Fully-funded 12-month program (estimated value £15,000-£20,000)
  • 9 months in UK (Opera North and University of Leeds) plus 3 months with New Zealand Opera
  • Application method: Annual application cycle with deadline in June
  • Application submitted to Opera North, not directly to Pettman Foundation

Priority Areas

  • Classical music education for disadvantaged youth from New Zealand
  • Support for students performing at Grade 5 level and above
  • International study and performance opportunities
  • Career development for emerging classical musicians
  • Music education practitioners and community engagement specialists
  • Opera and orchestral music disciplines

What They Don't Fund

  • Musicians not from New Zealand
  • Non-classical music genres
  • General education not related to music
  • Established professional musicians (focus is on emerging talent)
  • Organizations outside their established partner programs
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Pettman (classical Music) Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Richard Robson Dobbins - Appointed 03 July 2017

  • Also serves as trustee of Pettman (Management Education) Foundation
  • Primary contact for the foundation

Dr Richard Dobbins - Appointment date not specified

  • Also serves as trustee of Pettman (Management Education) Foundation and Peggy Wilson Playing Field

Foundation History

The foundation was created by Professor Barrie Owen Pettman, Baron of Bombie (1944-2017) and his wife Lady Maureen Pettman. Professor Pettman was co-founder and chairman emeritus of Emerald Group Publishing. Over an eight-year period from the foundation's establishment, the Pettmans donated £1.1 million to the Pettman National Junior Academy. Professor Pettman was also a founding patron of Opera North, supported the East Riding of Yorkshire Choir, and was a major donor to the Grand Theatre in Leeds.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Pettman (Classical Music) Foundation does not accept direct public applications. All grants and scholarships are awarded through established partner programs in New Zealand and the UK.

Musicians must apply through one of these partner programs:

  1. For Pettman National Junior Academy scholarships: Apply directly to PNJA at www.pnja.co.nz during their annual audition period (typically April)
  1. For ROSL Pettman Scholarships: Become an Emerging Artist at the At the World's Edge (AWE) Festival. Selection is made from this pool of participants.
  1. For Pettman DARE Fellowship: Apply through New Zealand Opera or Opera North when applications open (typically with June deadline). Email applications to darcy.thorpe@operanorth.co.uk

Getting on Their Radar

Specific to Pettman Foundation:

Since the foundation works exclusively through established partner organizations, musicians should:

  • Engage with PNJA: For younger musicians (ages 8-18), participating in the Pettman National Junior Academy provides direct connection to the foundation's mission and values. Alumni of this program may have advantage in later scholarship opportunities.
  • Participate in AWE Festival: The At the World's Edge Festival in Queenstown is the sole pathway to ROSL Pettman Scholarships. Being selected as an Emerging Artist automatically makes you eligible.
  • Work with New Zealand Opera: The Pettman DARE Fellowship is administered through New Zealand Opera. Building relationships with NZ Opera's education and participation teams can provide insight into the fellowship's requirements.
  • Demonstrate commitment to disadvantaged communities: The foundation's core mission is supporting musicians from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications and performances that demonstrate this background or commitment to serving these communities align with the foundation's values.

Decision Timeline

Pettman National Junior Academy: Auditions in April, acceptance letters sent shortly after with program beginning in the academic year

ROSL Pettman Scholarship: Selection made during or immediately following AWE Festival (specific timing varies by year)

Pettman DARE Fellowship: Applications close mid-June, with fellowship beginning the following calendar year (12-month program)

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However:

  • PNJA: 45 scholarships awarded annually from all applicants
  • ROSL Pettman: 2 scholarships awarded annually from AWE Emerging Artists pool
  • Pettman DARE: 1 fellowship awarded annually

The foundation has supported over 20 Pettman DARE Fellows since the program's inception in 2010.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but the structure of the programs suggests:

  • PNJA: Students can continue in the program across multiple years if they maintain standards
  • ROSL Pettman: Likely one-time awards; musicians would need to re-enter through AWE Festival for future consideration
  • Pettman DARE: One-time fellowship, though alumni may benefit from the network for other opportunities

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights:

  1. Economic disadvantage is central: The foundation's charitable objects specifically state support for “persons from disadvantaged backgrounds by reason of their poverty and economic circumstances.” This is not just a preference but the core mission.
  1. New Zealand connection is mandatory: All beneficiaries must be from New Zealand. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
  1. Classical music focus: The foundation specifically supports classical music education. Contemporary, jazz, or other genres are outside scope.
  1. Technical proficiency matters: For PNJA, minimum Grade 5 performance level is required. This indicates the foundation seeks musicians with demonstrated ability and commitment.
  1. Career development orientation: The ROSL and DARE programs focus on “emerging” professionals showing “exceptional career promise,” indicating the foundation values musicians likely to build sustainable careers in classical music.
  1. International experience valued: Two of the three major programs (ROSL and DARE) specifically fund international study and experience, suggesting the foundation believes northern hemisphere exposure is important for New Zealand musicians' development.
  1. Community engagement matters for DARE: The DARE Fellowship explicitly focuses on “music education and community engagement,” indicating applicants should demonstrate interest in sharing music with broader communities, not just performance.

From Lady Maureen Pettman: Students should be “well educated by their excellent Tutors,” emphasizing the foundation's belief in quality instruction.

From Opera North on DARE Fellows: The fellowship provides “practice-led research” opportunities, indicating successful candidates should be interested in reflective practice and professional learning, not just performance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • You cannot apply directly to this funder - all funding flows through established partner programs (PNJA, AWE/ROSL, or Opera North/NZ Opera)
  • New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency is mandatory - this is a non-negotiable requirement for all programs
  • Economic disadvantage must be genuine - this foundation specifically exists to help musicians from low-income backgrounds, so this should be clearly demonstrated
  • Choose the right program for your career stage: PNJA for ages 8-18; ROSL for emerging performers; DARE for early-career music educators
  • International ambitions align with funder values - the foundation clearly believes New Zealand musicians benefit from northern hemisphere experience
  • Build relationships with partner organizations - since direct applications aren't possible, knowing staff at PNJA, AWE Festival, NZ Opera, or Opera North is valuable
  • Long-term commitment matters - with annual giving around £132,000 and consistent programs since 2002, this foundation takes a sustained approach to supporting individual musicians' development

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References