Department for Communities announces travel awards for bands
29th August, 2025
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed funding for a new, rolling programme which will support bands to play at showcase opportunities outside of Northern Ireland.
*Please note, this webpage was updated on 09/09/25.
The Travel Awards for Bands Programme will be delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and is open to established bands, including accordion, brass, concert, flute, pipe and wind bands.
Minister Lyons said: “The arts is a very important part of our culture and it is vital that no barriers are put in the way of their music being promoted further than Northern Ireland.
The new Travel Awards for Bands Programme has been designed to help bands with travel costs, and promote music making and player development. Bands can apply for grants of between £500 and £5,000 towards their travel costs. I have allocated a total budget of £100,000 to the programme.”
This is a new funding opportunity for bands and demand is expected to be high. Priority will be given to applications which can demonstrate high quality musicianship, a commitment to training and musical education, particularly of young people, and a commitment to repertoire and technique development.
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council, commented: “With much appreciated investment from the Department for Communities, the Arts Council has opened this new funding stream for bands, which will allow them to perform alongside their contemporaries at UK and international events.
We know that this programme will come as welcome news to the bands community, who have told us that while they are often invited to perform in other locations, the cost of travel can be prohibitive. These travel grants will help bands to reach new audiences, develop their performance skills and create new networks.”
The Travel Awards for Bands Programme will complement the existing Musical Instruments Programme, which provides funding to help bands, groups and individual musicians purchase new or replace worn-out instruments.
Applications are now open for this rolling programme. For more information on Arts Council funding programmes and how to apply go to https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...