PRS for Music Foundation has confirmed that Wales Arts International has become a new partner on its International Showcase Fund.
The investment by Arts Council of Wales via its international arm, Wales Arts International, will allow Wales-based musicians to receive financial backing to travel to and perform at SXSW in Austin, Texas, whilst also offering mentoring and preparation support services, including networking with other industry partners.
Wales Arts International has supported hundreds of Welsh artists including Sweet Baboo, Gwenno, The Gentle Good, Violet Skies, ESTRONS, Dylan Fowler and Olion Byw to perform at events all over the world.
The International Showcase Fund is run by PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with Department for International Trade, Arts Council England, British Underground, Musicians' Union and Pledge Music.]
“I am delighted to welcome Wales Arts International to the International Showcase Fund partnership,” said Vanessa Reed, executive director of PRS for Music Foundation. “Their contribution will play a key role in enabling Welsh artists to make their business case to our expert music industry panel, to access the North American market and to showcase their talents to new audiences alongside their English counterparts. I look forward to seeing which talented Welsh and English artists receive support to perform at SXSW 2017 and the impact it will have on the development of their careers.”
Eluned Hâf, head of Wales Arts International, added: “I’m pleased to be joining forces in 2017 with the International Showcase Fund which clearly has delivered some great opportunities for artists in England over recent years. We’ve been supporting artists from Wales to perform at SXSW for many years, and we’ve seen how important it is that they use the opportunity to make the right connections to develop their work artistically and economically.
“We look forward to developing this partnership to further connect artists from Wales to the wider UK and global music industries.”
