IMPORTANT
INFORMATION.
A short summary, then the Application Terms and Conditions you agree to when you apply. If you're offered a place, you accept the Programme Terms (artists) or Engineer Placement Terms; you can read them now. The Privacy Notice explains how we use your information.
What you're applying for
ACCESS 001 is a fully funded artist development programme delivered by CBLV Community CIC and La Vie Studio Ltd, supporting 10 emerging independent acts.
We're looking for original artists aged 18+ and based in England, making their own music, whether that's a solo artist, duo or band of up to five members. All genres are welcome. We particularly encourage applications from artists aged 18–30, artists in Gloucestershire and the wider South West, and those who face financial or other barriers to accessing professional music opportunities.
What you'll receive
- Professional recording: Up to two days at La Vie Studio to record and produce one original song, professionally mixed and mastered, with release-ready audio files.
- Filmed performance: A professionally filmed live-session video recorded in the studio's live room.
- Songwriting: Two collaborative workshops per act, involving other emerging artists and established professional songwriters. Guest songwriters: To be confirmed. Workshop dates: To be confirmed.
- Paid showcase: A performance at one of two public showcases. Each act earns a £200 performance fee by performing. Showcases will be professionally filmed and livestreamed, and you'll receive footage of your performance.
- Listening and networking event: A shared event bringing the selected acts together with invited guests. Any additional listening party is optional.
- Artist EPK: Professional photographs, your studio performance video, footage of your showcase performance, artist information and promotional materials.
- Career development: Practical release and grant/funding guidance, industry advice, at least one group advice session with a music-industry professional, and networking opportunities.
- Travel support: Limited reimbursement may be available for eligible travel expenses, subject to eligibility, approval, evidence and available funds (see the Travel Reimbursement Policy).
- Ongoing studio access: One additional full-day studio session at 25% off the standard rate, bookable within 12 months after the programme ends.
What we ask from you
- Original, human-created music only. No covers or AI-generated music. Ineligible or misrepresented submissions may be rejected, and a confirmed breach discovered after acceptance may result in removal after a fair review and a chance to respond.
- Be available. You'll need to attend agreed studio, filming, songwriting, showcase and group activities. Dates will be confirmed with selected artists.
- Be prepared. You're responsible for arranging any additional musicians required for your recording, letting us know in advance, and telling them about the filming and recording. A maximum of five performing musicians, including the lead artist/singer, may attend each studio session.
- Share the journey, if you'd like to. We'll provide professional photos, video and artwork and encourage you to share them and acknowledge our partners, but posting on social media is entirely voluntary.
- Complete the programme. The finished song, film, EPK and follow-on benefits are delivered once your act reasonably completes the agreed activities. Illness and unavoidable circumstances are considered fairly; studio recording can sometimes be rescheduled, but filming and showcases usually can't.
- Accept online. If you're offered a place, the act's representative reads the Programme Terms and Conditions and accepts the place for the whole act within 30 calendar days, after making sure every member agrees. There's no contract to sign. Songwriting splits and credits are agreed after recording, before final files.
- Participate professionally. Respect other artists, staff and venues, and complete reasonable feedback and evaluation activities.
No fee. Competitive places.
There is no application or participation fee. Places are limited and selection is competitive.
ACCESS 001 is a funded music development programme run by CBLV Community CIC and La Vie Studio Ltd (together, "the organisers"). These terms cover applying and selection. They are not a participation contract: if you are offered a place, you will be asked to read and accept the separate Programme Terms and Conditions (artists) or Engineer Placement Terms and Conditions (engineers) before you take part.
There is no charge to apply or to take part in the funded activities.
1. The programme
ACCESS 001 is supported by Arts Council England, using public funding from the National Lottery, by Cheltenham Borough Council and by Renishaw. Activities take place mainly at La Vie Studio in Bishop's Cleeve and at venues in the Cheltenham area.
There are places for:
- 10 artist projects: a solo artist, duo or band of up to five performing musicians. Each act counts as one project, however many members it has.
- 2 paid engineer or producer placements.
What selected artists receive and what they agree to do is set out in the Programme Terms and Conditions, which you can read before you apply. The engineer placement is set out in the Engineer Placement Terms and Conditions.
ACCESS 001 is a development programme. It is not a record, publishing or management deal.
2. Who can apply
Artists must:
- be aged 18 or over, and every participating member of a duo or band must be 18 or over
- be based in England
- apply as a solo artist, duo or band of no more than five performing musicians
- make their own original music, with at least one original song or demo we can listen to
- be realistically able to attend the programme activities in Gloucestershire, and willing to complete the programme and its feedback
Engineers and producers must be aged 18 or over and able to attend supervised sessions at La Vie Studio.
You don't need a record deal, studio experience, releases, streaming numbers or a large following. All genres are welcome.
We particularly encourage applications from musicians aged about 18 to 30, people in Gloucestershire and the wider South West, people facing financial or other barriers to professional music development, and people from communities under-represented in the music industry. These are priorities, not requirements, and you never have to share detailed financial or sensitive personal information to apply.
3. Original, human-created music
ACCESS 001 is only for original music created by people.
- Cover versions, karaoke recordings and songs written entirely by other people are not eligible.
- AI-generated music is not eligible. This includes AI-generated vocals, lyrics, melodies, arrangements or instrumental performances presented as your own work. Ordinary recording, editing, tuning, mixing and mastering tools are fine.
- You must not misrepresent who wrote or owns the music you submit.
If there is a credible concern, we may ask you about how a song was made. Concerns are reviewed fairly by people, never decided by an automated detector alone. An application that breaks these rules will not be selected, and a place may be withdrawn if a serious breach is confirmed later, after you have had a chance to respond.
4. Applying
- Apply using the official online form during the published application period. Applications open at the date and time shown on the website (UK time).
- One person applies on behalf of an artist or band. If you apply for a duo or band, you must be authorised by the other members to apply on behalf of the act, and they must know about the application.
- Give accurate contact details and a working listening link to original music. A demo, unfinished song or released track is fine. Links we can't play may prevent assessment.
- Normally submit one application per artist project.
- Your application lets the review team listen to your music and read your answers for selection only. It does not transfer any copyright or give anyone the right to use your music.
When you submit, you tick a box to confirm you have read and agree to these terms. By doing so you also confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements, that your music is original and human-created, and that your application is accurate to the best of your knowledge. If you apply for a duo or band, you also confirm that you are authorised to apply on the act's behalf.
5. Selection
Selection is competitive. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee a place. We consider:
- artistic potential and originality
- clear and realistic goals
- how much the opportunity would help
- barriers to accessing similar resources
- willingness to take part in a collaborative programme
Shortlisted applicants answer a few further questions and have a short conversation (Stage 2). Selection is not based on follower numbers, streams or recording quality. Personal or professional connections to the organisers do not guarantee selection, and conflicts of interest are managed.
6. Outcomes
- You receive an automatic acknowledgement when your application is submitted.
- We contact shortlisted and selected applicants. We do not individually email applicants who are not selected, and we cannot promise individual feedback.
- Being shortlisted or invited to a conversation does not guarantee a place.
- If you think there has been an administrative error or unfairness, email hello@cblvcic.xyz.
7. If you are offered a place
- We email a formal offer to the person who applied (for an act, its representative).
- Before accepting, you can read the full Programme Terms and Conditions (artists) or Engineer Placement Terms and Conditions (engineers) online.
- You accept online by ticking the acceptance declaration and pressing Accept Place & Agree to Terms. For a duo or band, the representative also confirms that every member has been informed of and agrees to the terms. There is no separate contract to sign, print or upload.
- You must accept within 30 calendar days of the offer. Only the programme team can extend this deadline. If an offer is not accepted in time, the place may be offered to someone else.
- Your place is confirmed when you accept.
8. Accessibility
We will consider reasonable adjustments to applying, selection and taking part. La Vie Studio's current premises in Bishop's Cleeve are not wheelchair accessible. If this may be a barrier, please contact us privately before applying and we will talk honestly about what is possible. You don't need to give medical details in your application.
9. Privacy
How we use your information is explained in the separate ACCESS 001 Privacy Notice. Please read it before you apply. We never ask for bank details in the application. Agreeing to these terms does not sign you up to marketing emails: news about future opportunities is a separate, optional choice.
10. Questions, complaints and changes
Contact hello@cblvcic.xyz about eligibility, access needs, problems with the form or any concern. Concerns about selection or administration are reviewed reasonably and fairly, where appropriate by someone not involved in the decision.
We may update these terms to reflect confirmed arrangements or legal requirements. The current version and its date are always on the website, and we will tell applicants about any material change.
