Tipperary musicians urged to apply for musical instrument scheme

Musicians from Tipperary are invited to submit their applications for Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme.

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media confirmed funding of €1,090,700 for the scheme which provides funding for musical instruments earlier this year.

Numerous groups and individuals from Tipperary have received funding in the past including the Comhaltas Cill Chaise and Tipperary Regional Youth Service CLG/Youth Work Ireland Tipperary.

The closing date for applications for Award Categories 1, 2 and 3 is Tuesday, June 25, at 2pm.

The scheme comprises of three different awards, and provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to individual professional musicians, as well as non-professional performing groups.

It has expanded this year, with the addition of two new awards for the benefit of both musicians and arts venues.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin T.D. said: “I am overjoyed that my Department is able to fund the Music Capital Scheme again this year and support its expansion with these new opportunities. The Scheme has benefited thousands of people since its inception and, with this year’s extensive range of applicant supports, a particular focus will be given to assisting first time and previously unsuccessful applicants."

"This funding allows so many deserving organisations and individuals to receive the crucial funds they need to purchase musical instruments and, as a former music teacher, that is such a wonderful thing to be a part of," she said.

Since it was established the scheme has made 544 awards to individual musicians and organisations providing access to instruments for over 51,000 people across the country.

Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities.

205 performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 202 professional established and emerging musicians advanced their performance careers with new instruments enabled by the scheme.

Award 1 is open to non-professional performing groups, Award 2 is for the benefit of individual established professional performing musicians, while Award 3 is for individual emerging professional performing musicians.

Even more musicians will be supported this year, with the introduction of two new awards which seek to address specific challenges faced by professional classical string players and by arts venues presenting live music.

Award 4 will provide string instruments for a defined period of time to exceptional players, and Award 5 will support the purchase and refurbishment of concert standard pianos in selected venues across the country.

These new awards will be launched in the coming months.