Applications are invited from amateur groups and individual professional musicians across Galway to apply to the Music Network Music Capital Scheme.
Funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the scheme provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments and related equipment.
A total of €500,000 in funding is available through the three categories which are now open for applications: one for non-professional performing groups; one for individual, established professional performing musicians; and an for emerging professional musicians.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, December 15, at 2pm.
Last year, Galway awardees included the Galway Simon Community's Music Project, St Patrick’s Band and individual musicians Andreea Banciu, and siblings Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.
Established in 2008 by The Arts Council, the Music Capital Scheme is managed by Music Network. Since it was established, the scheme has made 850 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 70,000 people across the country.
Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities. 430 performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 416 established and emerging professional musicians have advanced their performance careers with instruments enabled by the scheme.
Music Network Chair Pat Moylan commented: “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to groups, individual musicians and most recently, arts venues and music presenters. This investment continues to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live performance throughout Ireland.”
There will be online seminars and a limited number of one-to-one consultation sessions on key topics relating to the application process, as well as a number of in person information sessions for applicants in locations across the country. Further details about these events and how to register are available on Music Network’s website.
Further grant awards with a value of up to €1 million will be available next year for quality string instruments for emerging classical players, and for venues to purchase or refurbish grand pianos.
More information about the awards, guidelines and application forms is at www.musicnetwork.ie
Enquiries can be sent to Sarah Ledwidge, Music Capital Scheme Manager: Tel: 083 016 2718 / E-mail [email protected].
