Unravelling the mysteries of the arts council investment principles

To accompany Leo Geyer's Mini Masterclass on Arts Council Investment Principles, here is a handy summary sheet.

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YCAT announces seven 2024 Finalists!

Following an intensive selection process with almost 170 applicants, we are now thrilled to announce our seven exciting finalists for 2024
Jonathan Leibovitz performs with Southern Pro Musica

Join Jonathan Leibovitz as he performs as the soloist for Southern Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra.
Ariel Lanyi performs with Alfred Brendel in Munich

Ariel Lanyi performs with Alfred Brendel as part of the Stars & Rising Stars series at Musikalische Begegnungen in Munich. Playing a programme of Beethoven, Chopin and Haydn, it is not one to miss out on.
Quatour Agate and Maceij Kułakowski perform at StartFestival in Leverkusen

Join two of our YCAT artists Quatour Agate (string quartet) and Maceij Kułakowski (cello) perform at StartFestival in Leverkusen.

On-demand fundraising support for early-career musicians

Are you a musician in need of funding advice or support with an application? Sign up for a free 1-2-1 session with an industry expert.
Leo Geyer on Deciphering the Arts Council England Investment Principles

Join composer and conductor Leo Geyer, founder of Constella OperaBallet, as he takes us on a whistle stop tour of the new Arts Council Investment Principles. Learn more about small ways in which you can strengthen your funding applications
Hannah Mitchell-Harrison on Diversifying Your Work Portfolio

Three easy steps to think more broadly about your music career and earning potential
Joshua Owen Mills on Taking the Fear out of Tax

Tenor Joshua Owen Mills explains tax returns for musicians and gives some budgeting tips.
Taking the fear out of tax: Jargon buster

A list of keywords you need to understand to complete your HMRC tax return with confidence.
Preparing for your First Tax Return

A list of all the things you need to sort before filing your tax return
Video: Making a problem statement to help fund your project

Susan Eldridge helps you form a problem statement to help identify your musical project's strengths. Find out how to convert these strengths into alternative funding streams
Video: How do you get funders to connect with your artistic project?

Highlight clip from 21cMusician event in June 2021: Funding Focus with Manchester Collective
Ten tips for success with funding applications

Brimming with ideas for creative projects, but unsure of where to find the money to make them happen? Read advice from Manchester Collective following their Funding Focus event in June 2021.
Help Musicians: Financial support to achieve your creative potential

In this guest blog, our colleagues at Help Musicians talk you through the financial support they offer to musicians, and give guidance on completing a funding application.

Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux

Charlotte was a prize-winner at the 2021 YCAT International Auditions, in partnership with Concert Artists Guild (New York). In 2022, Champs Hill Records released her debut album of solo violin music. 'This sensitively recorded debut presents an artist with something of her own to say, and something worth hearing …' Gramophone/ Champs Hill Records Ostinata / June 2022
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2024 Audition applications have now closed but find out about how to apply for 2025 and be the first to find out when the next round opens!
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Our work

Founded in 1984, the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) supports the early careers of musicians so they can go on to move generations of audiences around the world with their talent.
Past YCAT artists
Ariel Lanyi

In 2023, Ariel was honored to receive the Prix Serdang, a Swiss prize awarded by the distinguished Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder. He was also nominated as a Rising Star Artist by Classic FM in the same year. Prior to this Ariel won 3rd Prize at the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, performing Brahms Concerto No. 2 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze in the Finals.
Armand Djikoloum

Nominated as a 2022 Rising Star Artist by Classic FM, Armand was a prizewinner at the YCAT 2021 International Auditions.
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