“Launchpad support has been invaluable. We got amazing advice from people we trust and know are there to support us. We can't believe how much time has been put into us and it has really given us even more motivation to keep doing what we're doing, just better. It also made us feel as though we had a community around us in a time when that is hard to say for most people.”
LUCKY IRIS
Launchpad is a non-profit organisation which provides advice, funding and opportunities for Yorkshire artists and music projects.
Support, guidance and access to resources is available through our various support strands as well as our regular workshops, panels and conferences.
As well as drop in advice sessions and events, we offer the following support:
Launchpad Connect
Launchpad Connect aims to empower existing or aspiring artists and music professionals with the skills and knowledge to navigate a career in music whilst also building an important peer support network. Apply to receive tailored support and get connected.
Launchpad Futures
Launchpad Futures supports young people to discover music careers, progression pathways and uncover the music sector in Yorkshire, connecting local industry, schools, music hubs and local government skills & employability teams.
Launchpad Future Leaders
Launchpad Future Leaders offers a group of emerging music industry professionals between 18 - 25 years old the opportunity to engage with national music industry organisations, attend training workshops on professional development in the industry and build relationships with other early career music professionals.
Launchpad+
Supporting artists, managers and labels to release their music effectively and maximise their royalty collection. In 2024 Launchpad+ distributed 296 releases from 128 artists. We collect the publishing royalties (PRS / MCPS) for over 60 artists, comprising over 1000 songs. We also manage the neighbouring rights (PPL) for over 875 recordings and over 40 performers.
Launchpad Boost
Launchpad Boost is our funding support. We’re in the process of revising our offer and will be sharing more details soon. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to find out.
Our Values
Launchpad is a Fair Access Principles Partner.
Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles are designed to act as a code of best practice for running successful, open and inclusive artist development programmes, competitions and awards for composers. (The definition of “composer” varies between organisations; Sound and Music mean “anyone creating their own music, in any style or genre”)
Launchpad is proud to sign the Keychange pledge in a global effort to achieve representation.
Supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, Keychange is a global network and movement working towards a total restructure of the music industry in reaching full gender equality.
Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Bradford Council, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.
In West Yorkshire, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority leads the implementation of the UK Shared Propserity Fund as part of the Mayor’s ambition to make West Yorkshire the best place to work, learn and live.