The scheme comprises five distinct awards and provides vital funding for the purchase of musical instruments and related equipment. Awards 1, 2 and 3, which support non-professional performing groups and individual professional musicians, are open for applications today.
The scheme’s impact has increased significantly over the past 18 years, and it was expanded in 2024 to include two new awards that benefit both emerging professional musicians and arts venues. Award 4, which provides quality string instruments on loan to emerging classical players and Award 5, supporting arts venues and music presenters to purchase or refurbish concert standard grand pianos, will open for applications in the new year.
Pat Moylan, Chair of Music Network commented: “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to groups, individual musicians and most recently, arts venues and music presenters. This investment continues to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live performance throughout Ireland.”
Established in 2008 by The Arts Council, the Music Capital Scheme is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and managed by Music Network. Since it was established the scheme has made 850 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 70,000 people across the country. Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities. 430 performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 416 established and emerging professional musicians have advanced their performance careers with instruments enabled by the scheme. Previous awardees include Galway Simon Community's Music Project, Clogher Road Community College Band (Dublin), St. John's Pipe Band (Tralee), DJ John Gibbons, viola player Andreea Banciu and fiddle player Maeve Donnelly, who all received funding in the last round of the scheme.
An extensive range of applicant supports will be delivered between now and the scheme deadline. These will be open to all, with a particular focus on supporting first time and previously unsuccessful applicants. Music Network will host online Information Sessions for organisations considering applying to Award 1 and individuals considering applying to Awards 2 or 3. Alongside this there will be online seminars and a limited number of one-to-one consultation sessions on key topics relating to the application process, as well as a number of in person information sessions for applicants in locations across the country.
All applicant supports are provided free of charge. Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion, and encourages individuals and groups from all backgrounds and communities to apply.
Speaking about the scheme, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “The Scheme has benefitted thousands of people since its inception and this year's investment means that even more musicians, groups and communities will now be able to access the instruments they need. A comprehensive range of capacity building supports will be available to applicants. Our aim in providing these is to help people make a strong case for funding and achieve positive results which benefit the music sector as widely as possible.
Music Network has been working to make live music accessible to people across the country and supporting musicians to develop fulfilling careers for 40 years. Schemes such as this play a crucial role in ensuring that an ever increasing number of musicians can excel and communities everywhere can share in the magic of live music.”
The Music Capital Scheme Awards 1, 2 and 3 are now open for applications. Applications close on Tuesday 15 December at 2pm. A total of €235,000 in funding is available for Award 1, €175,000 for Award 2 and €90,000 for Award 3.