Campaigning and support to protect the rights and earnings of songwriters and composers.
The most prestigious celebrations of songwriters, composers and their champions.
We’re fighting to protect the future of classical, jazz and sound art composers in the UK. These genres rely on a thriving cultural ecosystem and public funding, but cuts and instability are putting careers and creativity at risk. We’re working with partners across the sector to campaign for sustainable funding, secure commissioning and stronger support for composers' careers.
Composers working in classical, jazz and sound art make a vital contribution to the UK’s economy, culture and national life. Their work enriches communities, supports public health and wellbeing, and strengthens our national and creative identity.
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.
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 the 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.
We welcome Cardiff University’s decision to continue providing music courses, and will monitor changes to entry targets, course content and student numbers.
