These genres rely on a strong cultural ecosystem. That includes public and charitable funding, public service broadcasting, and an education system that nurtures musical skill, creativity and compositional craft.
Most professional composers build portfolio careers, combining writing with teaching, performance and other musical work. When these opportunities are under threat, so too is the sustainability of professional composition.
Campaigning for a secure future
The Ivors Academy is campaigning to create a more secure environment for composers, where funding is sustainable, commissioners are resourced and new works can be commissioned on fair and transparent terms.
We launched Composers Under Pressure in 2022 in response to a range of challenges facing the sector. The campaign was prompted by a proposed cut to PRS Foundation funding (later reversed following sector-wide lobbying), and emerging concerns around public funding, including reviews of Arts Council England (ACE) and BBC music funding.
Since the campaign launch at a reception in the House of Commons, we have continued to raise significant concerns. These include ACE’s National Portfolio Organisation decisions and the BBC’s announcement of a 20% funding cut to its English orchestras and plans to close the BBC Singers, which was paused after pressure from The Ivors Academy and our partners across the classical community.
We are now working with colleagues across the sector to develop a shared position and a clear set of asks to Government, funders and the BBC. Our goal is to protect the infrastructure that composers rely on and to ensure a thriving future for music in the UK.
