Applications are now open for the Ed Renshaw Music Award 2021. Run in partnership with ourselves and Peter Conway Management, musicians aged 16-25 and resident in South East London can apply to receive mentoring, industry support and cash awards of between £1,000 – £3,000. 

Individuals, bands, groups and collectives of any genre are invited to apply and awards will be decided on the basis of originality, commitment and talent. Successful acts will receive advice and mentoring from leading music management and promotion company, Peter Conway Management while we’ll be providing advice, space and artistic development support.

To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16-25 and be resident in South East London. Applicants will be asked to talk about themselves, their music, and how they would use the cash and development support available to further their career in music. To apply, applicants are required to complete the TypeForm found here or alternatively, can email creative@thealbany.org.uk if a Word document is preferred.

Applications open on Friday 13 November and will close Wednesday 13 January 2021. Following the application close there will be a shortlisting process. Applicants who have been shortlisted will be invited to interviews that will take place in early February.

Peter Conway of Peter Conway Management and co-organiser of the Ed Renshaw Award said

“We are delighted to announce the return of the bi-annual Ed Renshaw Awards for 2021. These are the fourth series of awards since its inception and over the years we have been hugely impressed with the overall quality of applicants. Thus, our continuing partnership with the Albany, the major venue in the borough, is key to the success of the awards. Ed’s enduring legacy is that young people in South East London can benefit and develop career-wise with the help of these awards.”

Kristy Collander-Brown, Senior Producer and Head of Youth Programmes at the Albany said

“This is an amazing project which the Albany are hugely proud to support.  These awards help us connect with the immense and extraordinary musical talent of young people in South East London and create a poignant legacy to a wonderful local young musician, Ed Renshaw. It’s also a pleasure for me to be part of the team that shortlist – so I get to listen to the mighty young music scene locally!”

Jack Patchett, Musician and previous award winner said

“The award was a brilliant step for me. It gave me not just the money to contribute to my project but more importantly, the time to sit with Peter and discuss my plans with someone who had the industry knowledge to guide me a little. The award also brings with it some valuable performance opportunities and a great connection, with not just the other participants, but the Albany and all of its wonderful staff and patrons as well.”

Sacha Thomas, Musician and previous award winner said

“As someone who had suffered with mental health and depression in the past, Ed’s story really resonated with me, and I was so inspired by the legacy he created… by giving young people like me the opportunity to grow within music. What I appreciate about this award, is the fact that it’s more than a monetary grant. Since winning the award, I’ve felt myself grow massively as a musician, an artist, and more importantly as a person. It’s been an honour to be a part of the Ed Renshaw legacy and I’ve met some great, like-minded, talented young musicians along the way.” 

Jay Johnson, Musician and previous award winner said

“The Ed Renshaw Award meant so much to me, especially because it allowed me to elevate my career to a new status. I invested in a better electro-acoustic guitar which I used for live performances as well as a MacBook for record productions. Those investments have proven to be invaluable to my personal and career growth. I’ll forever be grateful to the wonderful people who make such an award possible.”