Nobody likes talking about it, Alex and Helen certainly don't like talking about it, but in this episode they get into the uncomfortable topic of money.

Money is hard to come by in the arts. From the start of education to attempting to make a stable living, we all know how it feels to worry about paying the next round of exam fees/audition fees/rent(!!!). Alex and Helen discuss how money affects every area of a singer's life and offer a range of ideas on how to create greater financial security in his industry:

• Ask. If there's a programme you want to take part in, or an audition you want to travel to, contact the organisation and ask if they have any ways of supporting those with less financial means. If you don't ask, you never know what they might be able to do in order to help you.

• Trusts and Foundations. The United Kingdom is blessed with a wealth of trusts and foundations, many of whose aim are to support those in the arts. To search for ones which might be able to help you there are a number of tools at your disposal:

Help Musicians Funding Wizard

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

Directory of Social Change database - you can make an appointment to search their trust and foundation database in their Highbury offices.

• The Power of Zoom. Post-pandemic we're seeing many institutions and programmes carry out their first round auditions via Zoom which has the potential to save you numerous accommodation and travel costs. With more auditions happening via Zoom, might that encourage you as an artist to apply for an opportunity that you would never have considered before?

• Building Relationships. If an application to a scholarship, competition or trust and foundation is successful, build that relationship. Let the board of trustees know how the scholarship/competition/grant has helped you, update them on your progress and, when possible, invite them to a live performance. In building that relationship, this scholarship/competition/trust and foundation can be an immediate go-to should you need financial assistance in the future.

• The Portfolio Career. Pair the unpredictable nature of the creative career with something a little more stable which you also find fulfilling. Love this idea? Want to know more? Check out our episode on The Portfolio Career!

• Invoice Hack. We all know the feeling of chasing late invoices. To try and avoid that, make sure to include in your invoice, as stated on the Musicians Union website: ‘Strictly 30 days net. I/we reserve the right to claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate at the date the debt becomes overdue, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.’

• Let's talk about it. The more we don't talk about it, the harder it is to support one another and also, the easier it is for artists to be paid poorly.

Episode edited and produced by Daisy Grant Productions.

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