The scheme, which comprises three different awards, supports the purchase of musical instruments and is designed to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Ireland.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media Catherine Martin T.D. said: The Music Capital Scheme is a vital resource that helps groups and talented individuals purchase musical instruments. Thousands have already benefitted from the scheme to date, and this round of the scheme will support a wide range of musicians nationwide and across all genres, giving them access to instruments and enabling them to develop their talent for live performance
In a new development, an award specifically for emerging professional musicians is on offer. This complements the awards for established professional musicians and non-professional performing groups involved in music-making activities in a diverse range of settings, including youth and community initiatives, bands, choirs, orchestras, and resource organisations. Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.
Join our information sessions on Tuesday 29th March 2022 (non-professional performing groups – Award 1) and Thursday 31st March 2022 (established & emerging individual professional performing musicians - Award 2 & 3) at 6 pm on our Facebook page.
Established in 2008, the scheme was introduced by The Arts Council, The IRMA Trust and Music Network as an action-research initiative. Now managed by Music Network, it has funded 413 awards, benefitting more than 42,000 people of all ages throughout Ireland.
Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “We warmly welcome news of this funding and would like to express our appreciation to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing commitment to providing capital funding for musical instruments. Its investment continues to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”
The Scheme is open for applications from Friday 11th March to Thursday 21st April at 2 pm.
The guidelines documents and application forms are available on www.musicnetwork.ie or from Sarah Cunningham at Tel +353 (0) 83 095 5956 / Email capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie