Department for Communities announces funding boost for musicians
22nd October, 2025
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons today announced details of the 25/26 Musical Instruments Programme, with £1,103,000.00 awarded to bands, groups and individual musicians.
The scheme, administered by the Arts Council and funded by the Department for Communities, is designed to increase the quality of music making in Northern Ireland. Grants awarded provide funding to help musicians purchase new instruments, with a focus on building skills and encouraging player development.
A total of 134 grants have been awarded through the 2025/26 programme – 94 bands, 12 professional and non-professional groups, and 28 individual musicians will receive funding.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Lyons said: “Firstly I want to congratulate all the successful applicants of this year’s Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Musical Instruments Programme. Music is part of our culture and it enriches our cultural experiences. I recognise that funding is a challenge for many individuals, bands, groups and organisations across the entire music and arts sector so I am pleased to be able to announce this funding which makes a difference across Northern Ireland.
“I am delighted to see an increase in awards from 119 last year to 134 this year with increased capital investment from £823k in 2024/25 to £1.1m in 2025/26. This demonstrates the need and I will continue to support those who strive to improve the standards of musicianship in Northern Ireland. I am also very pleased to see the spread of funding reaches all local council areas.”
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “We are pleased to join with the Department for Communities today to share news of funding made available for musicians, bands and groups through the Musical Instruments Programme. This funding will reach deep into communities, throughout Northern Ireland, benefiting musicians practicing across a broad range of genres including classical, jazz, traditional, contemporary and electronic music. These instruments will be used to enhance teaching, aid player development and in performances for many years to come.”
• The Bands strand of the programme was created to support bands based in Northern Ireland, which are formally constituted, including accordion, brass, flute, pipe, wind and concert bands.
94 awards were made through this strand. Among those awarded funding are Cairnalbana True Blues Flute Band, based in Ballymena. They have been awarded £9,520. With the funding they will purchase equipment including new bass and snare drums, as well as replacement flutes and cases.
• The Professional and Non-Professional Performing Groups category was open to choirs and orchestras, community music groups, musical societies, primary and post primary schools and youth groups. 12 awards were made through this strand.
Newry Chamber Music has been awarded £13,707 to buy a new Yamaha Grand Hybrid Piano for practices and performances.
• The Individuals strand of the programme was designed to provide funding for highly-skilled, exceptional, high-profile professional musicians, to purchase quality instruments that are central to their performing career. 28 awards were made through this strand.
Hannah Richardson is a musician based in Derry~Londonderry and member of punk-trio CHERYM. She has been awarded £5,884 through the musical instruments programme. This grant will allow her to buy new equipment including a new guitar, pedals and amp.
Also awarded funding was Sreehari Prakasan, a Belfast based musician who specialises in traditional Indian music. With a grant of £295, Sreehari plans to purchase a chenda, a type of South Indian drum. The drum will be used in upcoming festivals and performance opportunities, as well as for teaching purposes.
Full details of the 134 awards made through the Musical Instruments Scheme can be found at https://artscouncil-ni.org/res...