The Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and managed by Music Network, comprises two distinct awards that provide funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and to professional musicians.
Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin TD said: “I’m pleased to support this initiative. The Music Capital Scheme will benefit many organisations and musicians and will allow them access the instruments they need.”
Commenting on the announcement, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “We warmly welcome news of this funding and would like to express our appreciation to the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht for its ongoing commitment to providing capital funding for musical instruments. The award will enable us to provide much needed support to professional musicians at this critical time, as well as enhance music-making activity in a diverse range of settings including youth and community initiatives, bands, choirs, orchestras and resource organisations.
“The instruments provided through the Music Capital Scheme continue to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”
The Music Capital Scheme was established by The Arts Council, The IRMA Trust and Music Network in 2008 as an action-research initiative designed to provide support for the purchase of musical instruments. In response to the success of the initial pilot scheme, funding has been made available since 2011 by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. The Music Capital Scheme has funded 364 awards, benefitting more than 42,000 people of all ages throughout Ireland since its inception in 2008.
The Music Capital Scheme will open for applications on Tuesday 25th August 2020 with a deadline of 2pm, Tuesday 13th October 2020, for receipt of applications. Further information is available at www.musicnetwork.ie.
For further details, please contact Sarah Cunningham at Tel +353 (0) 83 095 5956 / E-mail capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie.