€335,500 funding for musical instruments under the Music Capital Scheme

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has today announced funding of €335,500 for the Music Capital Scheme.

The Music Capital Scheme supports the purchase of musical instruments and is designed to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Ireland. Since its inception in 2008, more than €2 million has been awarded to organisations and individual musicians across the country, performing in genres including traditional Irish, classical, folk, jazz, electro-acoustic, early/baroque and rock/pop.

A particular area of difficulty for musicians and ensembles is purchasing musical instruments. The cost of instrument purchase, maintenance and repair can be a costly barrier to the development of many organisations and individuals, and the Music Capital Scheme aims to address this.

Since 2008, the Music Capital Scheme has been responsible for:

• 176 performing groups being able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships

• €2,354,895 in award funding which has benefitted musicians and performing groups

• 135 professional musicians reaching their full potential with funding to purchase new instruments

42,000+ beneficiaries from early-years to mature players, including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities, have received vital support through the scheme

This year, an award specifically for emerging professional musicians is on offer. This complements the existing awards for established professional musicians and non-professional performing groups, including youth and community initiatives, bands, choirs, orchestras, and resource organisations.

Announcing the funding, Minister Martin commented:

The scheme is operated on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media by Music Network, which is Ireland’s national music touring and development agency.

Further details are available at www.musicnetwork.ie