Please find below a list of actions taken to support music authors as well as the music sector in general in these difficult times. The listed measures are divided into European initiatives, categorised by country and general European initiatives as well as Worldwide initiatives. The initiatives by country include measures taken by governments as well as initiatives from ECSA member organisations, CMOs and other initiatives. Just click on the headings to see all COVID-19 responses from the music sector and national governments we have gathered.
Initiatives for music creators in EUROPE
Austria
ECSA Member initiatives
Österreichischer Komponistenbund (ÖKB) provides an overview of initiatives for music creators in Austria on their website.
CMO initiatives
AKM & austro mechana together with OESTIG have created an emergency fund of €1m with grants of up to €1k per applicant. AKM also offers interest-free loans of up to €15k that need to be paid back monthly over 15 months starting in October 2020.
Governmental measures
The Austrian government has created an emergency fund for the cultural sector of €5m at the moment and has introduced further financial measures for artists. A new system granting 15k self-employed artists with a certain level of social security €1k per month is being put into place. Additionally, a hardship fund (€2b) has been set up for one-person companies, non-profit organisations and freelancers in the arts and cultural sector. This fund thus also aims at helping self-employed artists and cultural workers, non-profit arts and cultural associations and arts and cultural institutions. The City of Vienna awards additional work scholarships (up to €3k) to support freelance artists and scientists during the Coronavirus crisis.
Other initiatives
The ECB Network has worked on an impact assessment of COIVD-19 on the Austrian creative sector. You can find the results here. Younion.at has launched a petition for support of the cultural sector. The Upper Austrian Cultural Platform (KUPF OÖ) has launched the campaign #norefundforculture. Igkultur.at provides a comprehensive overview of support possibilities for professionals of the arts and cultural sector. In cooperation with other foundations, the Foundation Austria has set up a donation account to give individuals and companies the opportunity to donate to artists in need.
Belgium
ECSA Members initiatives
Conseil de la Musique, Court-Circuit, FACIR, WBM, La FLIF, Le Service musiques de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, La SABAM, La Fédération des professionnels de la nuit bruxelloise, La BIMA, La Fédération des Jeunesses Musicales Wallonie-Bruxelles, Le Forum des Compositeurs and Les Lundis d’Hortense have created an online survey to collect data on the impact of COVID-19 on music creators. Moreover, BEA Music has launched the #PlayLocal campaign, encouraging people to listen to Belgian music and support local talent. Furthermore, Genootschap Artiesten Lichte Muziek (GALM) has, together with State of the Art, created a COVID-19 Reporting Point in the form of a google form to collect data about the impact of Coronavirus measures on music creators. Galm, Facir, Sabam For Culture and PlayRight+ have launched the Belgian Music Fund to support Belgian music projects in the form of calls for projects.
CMO initiatives
SABAM is collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on music creators with an online survey and supports BEA Music’s campaign #PlayLocal by publishing a playlist of Belgian music. Sabam has also decided to exceptionally release €18m to about 9.000 authors from their accumulated reserve.
Governmental measures
On the website of Wallonie-Bruxelles, you can find information on mobility aids for cultural actors. A prime between €1.2k and €1.6k per month was introduced for independent musicians and composers. Artists with the artist status could access unemployment rights (€800-€900/month) and the access was facilitated for artists without the artist status. A law in support of artists grants artists facilitated access to unemployment benefits for all artists and technicians who can demonstrate either 10 artistic and technical performances or 20 working days between 13 March 2019 and 13 March 2020. Furthermore, there is no reduction in unemployment benefits in case of cumulation with copyright anymore and the law freezes the reference period from 1 April to 31 December 2020.
Other initiatives
Professional Federations of the Belgian cultural sector have published a list of urgent measures to be implemented under the name “No Culture No Future”.
Croatia
CMO initiatives
HDS Zamp provides emergency financial aid to its members with a newly established Solidarity Fund of about €65k. The Solidarity Fund has since been increased to over €100k.
Denmark
ECSA Member initiatives
Dansk Komponisforening (DKF) is collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on music creators with an online survey. Danske Populaerautorer (DPA) provides an overview of initiatives for music creators in times of coronavirus on their website. Danske Jazz-, Beat- go Folkemusik Autorer (DJBFA) has published a guide featuring help for the cultural industry in Denmark.
CMO initiatives
Koda offers support for the calculation of the loss suffered by artists between March and July 2020, which can be added to the compensation artists can apply for at the Cultural Department.
Governmental measures
The Danish government has introduced financial compensations for events cancelled in March due to COVID-19.
Estonia
ECSA Member initiatives
Estonian Composers’ Union (ECU) provides information about financial help for music creators on their website.
Governmental measures
The Estonian government has put in place public funding which includes measures concerning the cultural sector like compensation of direct costs of cancelled cultural events.
Finland
ECSA Member initiatives
The Finnish music creator’s association (FMC) provides an overview of support measures for music creators in Finland on their website.
CMO initiatives
TEOSTO provides on overview of support measures for music creators in Finland on their website.
Governmental measures
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, major Finnish foundations and the Finnish Center for Art Promotion have established a fund (€1.5m) for financial support of artists. The Arts Promotion Center Taike will distribute the financial aid in April. The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has also started a survey to map the effects of the emergency situation caused by Coronavirus on the arts and culture sector. Music creators were given access to unemployment benefits, which usually is not the case.
Other initiatives
Business Finland provides funding for business development in disruptive circumstances also for the creative industry.
France
ECSA Member initiatives
Music authors (including SNAC, UNAC, and UCMF), publishers organisations and SACEM have published a joint press release on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on authors. Union des Compositors de Musique de Film (UCMF) also provides information for music creators concerning COVID-19 on their website.
CMO initiatives
SACEM has launched an emergency action plan, including an emergency fund (€6m) and exceptional copyright advances as well as a strengthened publisher assistance programme. You can also find a compilation of information on supporting actions here. SACEM has also started the campaign #ScèneFrançaise with many partners from radio, streaming platforms and festivals to support the French music scene.
Governmental measures
The French Ministry of Culture has announced an emergency financial aid (€22m) for the cultural sector, including €10m for the music sector and provides information for artists impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. On 27 March, the Minister of Culture presented a first action plan in favour of artist-authors. You can find the report to the President of the Republic concerning the decree on exceptional aid to holders of copyright and related rights due to the consequences of the spread of the covid-19 virus and the measures taken to limit this spread here. Furthermore, the French government has introduced a law introducing a social aid scheme for self-employed professional artists and casual entertainment workers in the event of an exceptional event, such as acts of terrorism or epidemics. The Centre National de la Musique announced €11.5 million in assistance in the form of an emergency fund and the suspension of the tax on performances that took place.
Germany
ECSA Members initiatives
Deutscher Textdichter-Verband (DTV) provides an overview of information for music creators concerning COVID-19 on their website.
CMO initiatives
GEMA has created an emergency fund (€40m) for its members, including two different emergency funds. The „Schutzschirm LIVE“ allows music authors to request an advance payment for their future distributions, whereas the „Corona-Hilfsfonds“ has been established to help individual members with up to €5k. GVL introduced the Corona emergency relief, a one-time payment of €250 as well as advances related to distributions from 2015-19.
Governmental measures
The German national government has put in place an emergency fund for the cultural sector. The “Soforthilfe” is divided in grants and loans, depending on the different federal states. On a regional level, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Baden-Württemberg have put in place financial measures.
Other initiatives
Initiative Kulturschaffender in Deutschland has started a position paper urging for improvements to the current aid programmes in Germany that can be signed here. The German Orchestra Foundation has established a fundraising emergency fund for freelance musicians that raised €855k until April.
Hungary
CMO initiatives
ARTISJUS together with Music Hungary has initiated the #mertkelladal campaign to support Hungarian artists (live music). In addition, ARTISJUS provides financial aid with a social support programme (€300k).
Ireland
ECSA Members initiatives
The Association of Irish Composers has published their recommendations regarding the Irish Minister for Culture’s COVID-19 Arts stimulus package on their website.
CMO initiatives
IMRO provides a comprehensive overview of support initiatives for creators in times of COVID-19.
Governmental measures
The Arts Council announced a COVID-19 Crisis Response Award fund (€1m), “designed to support the creation of new artistic work and its dissemination online for the public benefit”.
Other initiatives
The grant scheme #IrelandPerforms (€100k) was launched by FACEBOOK Ireland and Culture Ireland, Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht. It is being delivered in partnership with First Music Contact and Poetry Ireland and in association with RTÉ. #IrelandPerforms will award €1k to every participating artist performing on social media. You can find the application form here, which needs to be sent to showcases@cultureireland.gov.ie. Also, major Irish artists are hosting smaller artists to their audience via Facebook Live to assist them in growing their fanbases with the aim of having a financial impact for them.
Italy
CMO initiatives
SIAE supports the campaign #iorestoacasa, initiated by the Italian Ministry of Culture to encourage people to stay at home. The Italian CMO also created an Emergency Solidarity Fund (€500k) to purchase 2.500 food parcels that will be delivered to members in need. To request a food parcel, write to fondo.solidarieta@siae.it. Additionally, an Extraordinary Support Fund (€4.1m) has been set up for the company’s employees. SIAE is also looking into the possibility to grant multi-year interest-free loans to associates in liquidity difficulties (€50m).
Governmental measures
The Cura Italia public funding includes financial measures for the cultural sector like support of freelancers working in the performing arts sector.
Other initiatives
Fondazione Centro Studi Doc and Mei Meeting delle Etichette Indipendenti have started petitions for support of the cultural sector in Italy. Moreover, Keep on Live launched the #StayOn initiative for live music streaming.
Luxembourg
Governmental measures
The government of Luxembourg has introduced an emergency allowance of 2.500 euros for self-employed persons in Luxembourg. A month later, a new nun-refundable financial aid for self-employed persons was introduced, with an amount between 3.000€ and 4.000€ allocated to each person.
Other initiatives
A petition for the introduction of a broadcasting quota for “Made in Luxembourg” music to radio stations established in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg can be signed here.
Netherlands
ECSA Member initiatives
Nieuw Geneco provides tips for composers on their website and have sent several letters to political and cultural organisations asking for support of the music sector. BCMM provides an overview of the measures taken in support of music creators in The Netherlands.
CMO initiatives
Buma Stemra will pay copyright earnings earlier than foreseen to help with the liquidity of creators (€50m). The Dutch CMO has also paid a share of the dotation owned to the songwriter & publishers societies earlier than planned. In addition, Buma Stemra have established an emergency fund (€2.75m) and an investment fund of approximately €2.5m. Sena (neighbouring rights organisation) has announced that it will contribute to the emergency fund. Both organisations are in talks with the Ministry of Culture for them to contribute to the emergency fund as well. Buma also supports the campaign #Luisternaarons that encourages radios to play Dutch music to support the local music sector. Buma Stemra together with Sena have launched the Noodfonds Muziek emergency fund that provides financial support in the form of a grant for the most severely affected rights holders of Buma Stemra and Sena.
Governmental measures
The Dutch government has launched a help package of around €20 billion. It includes measures for entrepreneurs like a minimum income for entrepreneurs who have lost their income due to the social distancing measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19, the possibility to postpone tax payments and the possibility to take out a loan in case of liquidity problems. The government has also introduced an emergency fund for particularly affected entrepreneurs providing a one-time €4k payment. An allowance for employers of up to 90% of salary costs was introduced as well. For the main cultural institutions the government made available €300 million.
Other initiatives
Kunstenbond has asked its members to report their cancellations here. 3S Music Management has launched a website to support Dutch artists by listening to their music and buying merchandise through their webshop. The initiative was created in cooperation with World Music Forum NL, KINK, Mezz, MMF (NL), BAM!, Penguin Radio, Mojo and Buma Culture. United Independent Music Agencies (UIMA) have launched the campaign “Liefde door Muziek” on behalf of the entire Dutch music industry calling for support for live music. You can read more about it and sign the petition here.
North Macedonia
Governmental measures
Freelance artists registered as such at the Ministry of Culture received a monthly payment of the amount of the minimum wage in North Macedonia (approximately €250) in March and April. Artists who had projects as part of the national programme of culture that had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 received a one-time payment of €250.
Norway
ECSA Member initiatives
Norsk Komponist Fornening is currently collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on its members. NOPA and Kunstnernettverket have addressed a joint letter to the Norwegian government. NOPA also provides information about the Norwegian compensation scheme for business and industry on their website.
Poland
CMO initiatives
Zaiks has taken measures to help authors financially and has addressed a letter to the Polish Prime Minister.
Governmental measures
The Polish governmental measures for creators include: no fees for requesting a delay for tax declarations, no financial consequences for late income declarations and access to social welfare for artists and creators. The Polish Ministry of Culture also promotes a special Patreon page for Polish artists so that they can be supported by the population during the time of COVID-19.
Other initiatives
MusicExport Poland is currently collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 and they provide an overview of forms of support provided in Poland.
Portugal
CMO initiatives
SPA has taken measures to help rights holders financially, including a solidarity fund (€100k), and is sending a letter to local governments asking for support.
Other initiatives
Gulbenkian has established an emergency fund, including funding for the cultural sector.
Romania
Other initiatives
Groupe Societe Generale Romania has made a donation of about €70k to the independent cultural sector.
Spain
CMO initiatives
SGAE has reinforced its advisory services by establishing a help line for economically vulnerable authors guiding them through potential financial aid demands. The Spanish CMO has also decided to allocate more than €15m in economic and social aid to its members.
Governmental measures
The Spanish Ministry of Culture is consulting stakeholders to help rebuild the cultural sector after the crisis. The Spanish government has presented a 76,4 Million-investment recovery plan to support the cultural and creative sector. The plan includes a 38,2 million grant for the performing arts and music sectors.
Sweden
ECSA Member initiatives
SKAP provides an overview of initiatives in Sweden on their website. FST also provides information about COVID-19 measures in Sweden on their website.
Other initiatives
KLYS has published a crisis package proposal to the Swedish government. Konstnärsnämnden and Kulturrådet are providing crisis support for Swedish artists who are experiencing loss of income during the Corona crisis.
Switzerland
ECSA Member initiatives
SONART is currently collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on its members and provides information on where to apply for emergency aid in Switzerland.
Governmental measures
Swiss artists can apply for emergency financial aid here.
United Kingdom
ECSA Member initiatives
Ivors Academy is currently collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on its members. Ivors Academy has also launched a free and open Remote Recording Directory to connect composers for film, TV and games with professional musicians able to record from home. Ivors’ Academy together with the Musicians’ Union have launched the campaign “Keep Music Alive” to speak out against the insufficient streaming royalties paid to music creators especially during COVID-19 when earnings from live performances have become impossible. In the framework of the campaign, you can sign the #FixStreaming petition here. In addition, Ivors’ Academy, in collaboration with other organisations in the music industry, created a platform where music-sector workers can find all the help, advice and signposting they need to support them through the coronavirus outbreak.
CMO initiatives
PRS has established an emergency relief fund that will provide funding of up to £1k per member.
Governmental measures
The UK government made available two main support schemes that are relevant for composers and songwriters: The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Job Retention Scheme.
Other initiatives
Help Musicians has created a financial hardship fund (£5m) and MusiCares has created a COVID-19 relief fund that relies on donations.
Other European Initiatives
Overview of initiatives in Europe
Live DMA provides an overview of initiatives for the music sector in Europe. Moreover, The Art Newspaper made available an overview of how to apply for financial aid in the UK, US, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy. Compendium also provides an overview of cultural policies of European countries in response to COVID-19. European Creative Hubs Network and the Goethe-Institut have launched the platform Creatives Unite, which gives an overview of initiatives and information related to the cultural and creative sectors in the European Union in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Data collection on impact of COVID-19
EMC/IMC are currently collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 on music creators through this online survey. The European Creative Business Network (ECBN) is collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 as well.
Statements
GESAC has published a statement calling on European decision-makers to take urgent action. The CULT Committee of the European Parliament has also published a statement calling on EU member states to help the creative sectors.
Campaigns
The #saveEUculture campaign, initiated by MEPs Niklas Nienaß and Salima Yenbou, has sent an open letter to the EU Commission and the Member States, demanding support for the Cultural and Creative Sectors, which was signed by 105 members of the European Parliament and 312 associations, including ECSA and 41 ECSA member organisations. I you want to support the open letter, you can sign this petition.
WORLDWIDE Initiatives for music creators
KEA provides an overview of policy measures for the cultural sector in Europe and North America.
On the move – cultural mobility information network has published an overview of funding schemes, statements, campaigns and petitions around the world.
Shopify has created an overview of governmental initiatives worldwide.
Spotify has established a fund to support artists of up to $10m that relies on donations. The financial aid will then be distributed through Help Musicians, MusiCares and PRS Foundation.
The US music and entertainment companies have addressed a joint letter to the US Congress asking for financial relief during the crisis.
COVID-19 responses from the music sector last updated on 10 July 2020; cover image by Olga Lionart.
