UK Launches Patronage Platform For Composers

“Music Patron” is the UK’s first crowd-funding initiative designed to support composers

Created by the composer, financier, and philanthropist Anthony Bolton, the crowd-funded program Music Patron reimagines traditional arts patronage and the sponsoring of a composer for the 21st century — making it accessible to any music lover.

With a one-off or regular monthly donation, anyone can join the community of music patrons to directly support one or more composers across the UK, or directly assist Music Patron’s work in rebuilding the music sector.

As the UK music industry is facing low streaming fees, public funding cuts, and impacts of the pandemic, this platform will allow composers more opportunities to innovate, Music Patron writes on its website. 

Additionally, composers will directly garner 100% of donations, and patrons can also be part of the creative process by receiving exclusive updates from the composers they support.

Inspired by the digital platform Patreon, Music Patron adapted its giving model specifically to the needs of composers, wrote FAD Magazine. Bolton launched Music Patron with seed funding of £100,000 annually over the next 5 years.

Music Patron’s current roster of composers includes composers and artists from genres such as classical, folk, jazz, electronic, dance, musical theater, singer-songwriters, and sound installations. To support them, click here. 

“Music Patron facilitates the collection of smaller amounts from a much larger number of people, which, together, can add up to a meaningful income for a composer,” said Bolton on the website. “Additionally, Music Patron creates direct relationships between patrons and composers in a way that has yet to be possible to date,” Bolton says. “With a direct connection, the patron will experience the rewards of being much more involved in the creative process.”

“Music Patron ensures composers can continue to create by inviting music lovers to connect with and truly support them,” composer Judith Weir commented.

“I believe in supporting the music of tomorrow. Music Patron is a new and important way to do this,” added conductor Sir Simon Rattle. “It gives ordinary people the chance to directly support a composer, provide that composer with game-changing income and help bring new music to life.”