Deadline: 1-Aug-25
The Arts Council has launched the Musical Instruments Programme for Professional and Non-Professional Performing Groups.
The Arts Council has designed this programme to provide support for the purchase of musical instruments by groups involved in the professional and non-professional performance of music and to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Northern Ireland.
Funding is intended to increase the quality of music-making in the community by helping eligible groups purchase new instruments.
Particular priority will be given to applications which can clearly demonstrate:
- a commitment to training/tuition/education and performance
- a commitment to artistic development
- an ability to increase access to music provision in rural areas
Funding Information
- You may apply for a maximum grant of £30,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of organisations and from applicants whose projects benefit individuals categorised under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In addition:
- This scheme is open to professional and non-professional performing groups, involved in regular performance in any genre, who are based in and will make regular use of the instruments in Northern Ireland.
- Community, youth, resource organisations and schools are regularly involved in music performance in the non-professional sector.
- All applicant groups must be formally constituted and must operate as not-for-profit, a voluntary organisation or a charitable body. Purchased instruments will then be owned by the constituted group (as opposed to any individual within the group). The organisation/group must have its own separate bank account i.e. a non-personal account.
- This scheme is open to professional and non-professional performing groups, involved in regular performance in any genre, who are based in and will make regular use of the instruments in Northern Ireland.
- The following types of groups are eligible for this scheme:
- Amateur/Youth Orchestras and Ensembles
- Choirs and Orchestras
- Classical Ensembles
- Community Music Groups
- Musical Societies
- Percussion/Samba Bands
- Pop/Rock Ensembles
- Traditional Ensembles
- In addition, the following organisations, if they are regularly involved in music performance by groups in the non-professional sector, are eligible to apply:
- Community organisations
- Music schools
- Resource organisations
- Venues
- Youth groups
- Parent teacher associations
- Primary/post-primary schools
Ineligibility Criteria
- The following cannot apply:
- Groups who have received an award from this scheme in the previous 5 years.
- The following types of groups cannot apply to this scheme and should instead apply to the Musical Instruments for Bands programme;
- Accordion Orchestra/Band (part, melody or marching)
- Brass Band
- Concert Band
- Flute Band (part, melody or marching)
- Pipe Band
- Wind Band
For more information, visit Arts Council of Northern Ireland.