Communities Minister has announced a major funding
boost for individuals, bands and groups across Northern Ireland,
with the launch of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's 2025/26
Musical Instruments Programme.
The programme is open to professional and non-professional
performing musicians and groups who can apply for a share of the
£750,000 funding pot to purchase new musical instruments and
replace old ones.
Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased to announce the
launch of this year's Arts Council of Northern
Ireland's Musical Instruments Programme. Through the
financial support provided by my Department, I am committed to
increasing the quality of music-making in Northern Ireland and
would encourage musicians, bands and groups to make an
application.
“We can all appreciate the importance of music and how it
contributes to, and enriches, our cultural experiences.”
The Musical Instruments Programme is designed to help musicians
in Northern Ireland replace their old, worn-out instruments and
purchase new ones.
A total of 119 grants were awarded through the Programme last
year, which saw 75 bands, 13 professional and non-professional
performing groups and 31 professional musicians receive funding.
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 delighted to announce the opening of the Musical Instruments
Programme 2025/26.
“This valuable scheme offers bands, musical groups, schools and
professional musicians the opportunity to buy new instruments,
helping to increase skills for all players, from young musicians
just starting out, right through to highly trained performers.
“Applications are now open on the Arts Council of Northern
Ireland website, with grants available across three tailored
programmes.”
The Musical Instruments Programme 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.
Further information about Musical Instruments Programme – Musical
Instruments for Individuals is available from https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-for-individuals
Further information about Musical Instruments Programme – Musical
Instruments for Bands and Musical Instruments for Professional
and Non-Professional Performing Groups is available from https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-for-organisations
