Musicians across the country are urged to submit their applications for Music Network’s €1 million Music Capital Scheme.

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

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.

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

The two new awards 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.

Since it was established in 2008, 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.

This year the scheme received confirmed funding of €1,090,700 from the Ministery for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin 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’’.

Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston commented expressing their gratitude to the Department saying: "This investment continues to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live music performance throughout Ireland.

"We particularly welcome the addition of this year’s new awards, which will go a long way towards addressing specific challenges facing musicians and in the presentation of live music. Our aim is that the capacity building supports provided to applicants will help people to make the best application possible, achieve positive results for them, and benefit the music sector widely.”

Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.

Apply for Music Capital Scheme before 2pm, Tuesday 25 June 2024 here.