Johannesburg – The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) on Tuesday named the 100 members selected for the R2.5 million 2023 Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF).
All the musicians selected for the MCSF fund will each receive R25 000 in micro-grants.
List of the 100 MCSF recipients for 2023:
SAMRO said the latest MCSF announcement was the third year the music rights entity has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the creative endeavours of its members who wish to create groundbreaking musical compositions that have yet to be presented to the public or performed.
SAMRO said it received a significant increase of 34% in applications this year compared to 2022.
“Such a marked increase in submissions indicates the growing demand for financial assistance in pursuing new music creation,” the music rights entity said.
“A dedicated committee of independent adjudicators meticulously assessed the applications to ensure a fair evaluation process.
“After thorough deliberation, the committee confidently selected 100 SAMRO members who now have an extraordinary opportunity to turn their musical dreams into reality.”
In 2022, 17% of the MCSF recipients were female members.
“However, this percentage has significantly increased in 2023 due to the organisation’s concerted efforts to address gender disparity in the music industry,” said SAMRO.
SAMRO said this year, 36% of the beneficiaries of the fund are women.
SAMRO said MSCF underlines its commitment to enabling members to create new and original musical works by awarding R2.5 million in grants to 100 meritorious members.
The MCSF grant has resulted in a cumulative allocation of R7 million, providing vital support to 300 exceptional SAMRO members since 2021.
The fund aims to contribute towards the creation and composition of new and original musical works.
“The music creation fund is critical in empowering SAMRO members by providing them with the financial support they need to create and share their music with the rest of the world,” says SAMRO.
“Investing in our members and their creative projects contributes to the music industry’s overall growth and enrichment.
“As we conclude the third installment of this ground-breaking endeavour, we remain dedicated to promoting a dynamic music landscape and the extraordinary talent of our members.”
The MCSF has laid the groundwork for a future filled with musical innovation, passion, and unbounded creativity.
