STIM awards music creators additional scholarships due to Covid-19

Many Swedish music creators have found it increasingly difficult to maintain their livelihoods due to the Covid-19 pandemic. STIM – which manages the economic rights on behalf of over 92,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers – is now introducing roughly 300 additional scholarships to mitigate the effects of the crisis.

– Many songwriters, composers, and music publishers are in a really tough spot right now. Since this spring, we have launched a number of different initiatives to help. Now we are boosting our regular scholarship operations so that just under 300 affiliated members can receive SEK 10,000 each as additional scholarships, says Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen, CEO of STIM.

STIM’s scholarship application opens on Monday, August 17. The total scholarship fund for 2020 will be increased by almost SEK 3 million to a total value of just under SEK 7 million. In normal years, STIM annually gives out scholarships for a total value of approximately SEK 4 million.

Music creators’ loss of revenue is largely due to canceled concerts and events, but also to the fact that businesses that use background music (e.g. restaurants, hotels, gym chains, clothing stores, etc.) are experiencing financial difficulties. STIM’s CEO now hopes that the Swedish government is prepared to do more to support music creators, who otherwise risk being left in very dire straits.

– The government’s measures have been welcome but much more needs to be done. The Swedish music industry is an important industry that generates large tax revenues and job opportunities. The question is whether the industry will survive in its current form in the absence of further public support measures, says Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen, CEO of STIM.

STIM’s CEO believes that the government’s previous measures have been poorly tailored to the cultural sector's unique working conditions. He also emphasizes that there is a delay of up to nine months in music creators’ royalty payments. The largest effects of the crisis will thus not be felt until this winter and the beginning of next year.

– Unfortunately, there is a risk that we have only seen the beginning of how the crisis will impact music creators. We at STIM must continue to do everything in our power to help our members and affiliates. But politicians, on all levels, must take their responsibility, says Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen, CEO of STIM.

The application for STIM’s additional scholarship closes on September 18. Read more about how to apply and about STIM’s efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on STIM’s website.

For more information:

Erik Torstensson
Press & Public Affairs Manager
STIM | Hornsgatan 103, 104 62 Stockholm
+46 (0)768 82 52 04
erik.torstensson@stim.se

Stim is a copyright organization with more than 90,000 affiliated music makers and music publishers. Our objective is a strong copyright legislation to ensure that those who we represent are being paid when their music is played. Stim is a non-profit organization with an interest in the sustainability and diversity of Swedish music life, which distinguishes us from other more market oriented organizations. A license with Stim provides access to a world-class repertoire – music that brings feelings, creates identity and togetherness.