Saffron launch artist development project for Black women and non-binary music creators

Saffron have announced a new project open to Black women and non-binary music creators in South West England, that aims to provide them with tools, opportunities and support to develop their careers.

Centred around a paid commission from MSCTY, a sound-arts practise specialising in exploring the interactions between sounds and spaces, the six successful participants will be invited to compose a track in response to locations around Bristol.

Aside from the commission, the six-month programme will also include 1-2-1 mentoring and industry masterclasses to help encourage personal and creative development, as well as a 12-month membership to Saffron which gives them access to monthly online workshops, talks, events and a network of music creators.

Each participant will be given an £800 commission fee and an additional £850 to support with technical costs, like mixing, mastering and studio hire for their MSCTY commission. Their work will be shared at a showcase event and participants will be given media support throughout the process including filming and photography.

Saffron’s Founder, Laura Lewis Paul said: “This project is really important to me, not just as a Black woman in the South West, but thinking about it in relation to the wider music tech industry, as this project allows a space for us to breathe, to be creative and to be heard.” 

To be eligible for a place you must meet several criteria: be a musical creative of some kind, such as a music producer, composer, lyricist, instrumentalist or vocalist; be a woman, non-binary person, or gender non-conforming; be Black or of Black heritage; eg. Black British, Black African or Black Caribbean, including those of mixed-Black heritage; be age 18+; and currently be living in South West England.

Applications close at 6pm on 25 August 2021. Apply HERE. Follow Saffron Music.