Financial boost for musicians as £823,000 of funding announced through Arts Council Instruments Scheme
12th December, 2024
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today announced details of an investment £823,000 through its Musical Instruments Scheme.
Thanks to capital funding from the Department for Communities, the musical instruments scheme is designed to increase the quality of music making in Northern Ireland by helping musicians replace old worn-out instruments and purchase new ones. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that additional funding found this year for the scheme will see a total of 119 grants awarded - 75 bands, 13 professional and non-professional performing groups and 31 professional musicians will receive funding.
Minister Lyons said: “I am always amazed by the musical talent in every community across Northern Ireland and it is wonderful to hear what the funding means to the different individuals and bands who help provide musical education and social inclusion for musicians of all ages.
“There is a fantastic range of recipients this year, from marching bands and school groups to traditional musicians and musical societies and I hope this grant will support and inspire the next generation of musical talent across the genres. I also recognise the social contribution of these musicians, involving young people in new skills as well as providing a sense of wellbeing and a support system, especially in rural areas.”
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “With much appreciated capital investment from the Department for Communities, the Arts Council is pleased to announce this funding today through the Musical Instruments Programme. This important scheme will help support 119 recipients replace the instruments they need to fulfil their performance potential.
“Northern Ireland has a fine history of musicianship, one which is celebrated all over the world. Today’s funding announcement will go a long way in supporting that legacy, benefitting many performers across a broad range of genres including classical, jazz, traditional, contemporary and electronic music. We are delighted that the Minister has been able to visit some of the bands benefitting from this funding and hear how much it means to them.”
The Arts Council’s Musical Instruments Scheme includes three strands.
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.
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.
The third strand is for Individual Professional Musicians
Full details of all 119 awards made through the Musical Instruments Scheme can be found at https://artscouncil-ni.org/resources/musical-instruments-awards