Overview
- Spotify announced the Fresh Finds Forward program on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and began notifying eligible artists through Spotify for Artists about how to enroll.
- Artists added to any Fresh Finds playlist from January 1, 2026 onward can join the program and receive 12 months of support once they onboard via Spotify for Artists.
- The package includes free U.S. studio time at named locations such as Electric Lady Studios, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville, and Spotify Studios in Los Angeles, plus early access to select Spotify features and prioritized partnership opportunities.
- Participants also get premium subscriptions to creative tools (LANDR Studio Pro and Splice’s Creator Plan) and six months of mental health support through BetterHelp, and Spotify says the program is free and does not change royalty rates.
- Fresh Finds Forward builds on a decade of Fresh Finds editorial playlists that have helped over 80,000 artists in 127 countries and, since 2024, driven more than 128 million first-time artist discoveries, though studio benefits are U.S.-based and selection is tied to editorial placement rather than an open application.