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Every year, TONO allocates a portion of its income to so-called cultural funds. The purpose is to contribute to the creation of more music and to ensure good conditions for Norwegian creators.
/ 26/05/2026 / Willy MartinsenThis case is written based on the sub-report on the use of cultural resources in TONO's transparency report, which you can find on page 68 of the report, as you can read here.
TONO's statutes state that we can set aside up to eight percent of our income each year for cultural funds. The cultural funds in 2025 were almost NOK 60 million, and came from TONO's income in 2022. The deduction was then 7 percent of net income and 6 percent of gross income.
The funds are withdrawn before settlement and used for measures that benefit TONO's licensees.
The cultural funds are divided into two main areas: Scholarships and National Music and Cultural Purposes. One third goes to scholarships, while two thirds goes to national music and cultural purposes.
The scholarship funds are divided 7/8 to the TONO scholarship and 1/8 to the Music Publishers Scholarship Scheme.
TONO awards scholarships directly to members, both established and early career members. In 2025, we awarded over NOK 16,5 million across 680 scholarships, and on Tuesday, May 26, we announced this year's awards: A total of NOK 17,3 million in TONO scholarships. You can read more about it here..
The goal of the scholarships is to provide time, space and financial leeway to create new music and develop artistry.
Here you can read two interviews with Hilde Louise Asbjornsen og Daniela Reyes Holmsen, and what the TONO scholarship has meant to them.
The funds for national music and cultural purposes are managed through TONO's three group associations: NOPA, Norwegian Composers' Association og The music publishers.
The associations use the funds for initiatives that strengthen Norwegian music life and the opportunities for creators, and are intended to benefit all TONO members. This may include support for projects, courses, meeting places and development work, in addition to improving competence, consulting and working to create good framework conditions.
They have in addition a number of schemes that are open to all TONO membersThey provide grants for collaborative projects and songwriting camps, support for the production and visibility of music, or initiatives that provide access to networks and professional development.
The common denominator for the use of the funds is that they should benefit the rights holders and contribute to a diverse and vibrant music life in Norway.
The distribution and use of cultural assets is regulated by Act on collective management of copyright, and TONO reports annually on this work in our extensive transparency report.
It is important that TONO members are clear about how the funds are used. We therefore encourage you to read more about this in our own sub-report on the cultural funds in the transparency report. It can be found on page 68 of the report. Click here.