Over €306,000 funding awarded to performing groups and musicians through Music Capital Scheme

Music Network announced the recipients of the current round of the Music Capital Scheme today – with 18 established musicians, nine emerging musicians and 28 performing groups awarded funding that totalled €306,096.

The funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is designed to support the purchasing of instruments, for groups and individuals performing across a wide range of styles and genres.

Award 1 covers non-professional performing groups – with The Stedfast Band (€18,652), Artane School of Music (€16,133), Na Píobairí Uilleann (€13,650), and Sligo Academy of Music (€13,286) among the recipients.

Award 2 is for "individual established professional performing musicians" – with Mark Keane receiving €10,162 for a harpsichord, Luan Parle receiving €1,929 for an acoustic guitar, Peter Regan receiving €8,747 for a grand piano, Larissa O'Grady receiving €10,000 for a violin, and Caitlín Nic Gabhann receiving €3,590 for a concertina, among others.

So thankful to @MusNetIrl and @artscouncil_ie for funding 50% of my new harpsichord from BIZZI Historical Keyboard Instruments in the latest Music Capital Fund Awards.
The full list of recipients can be found here:https://t.co/NZmRhgCGXp pic.twitter.com/ZMJTx45nzc

— Mark Keane (@DrMarkKeane) July 4, 2022

Recipients for Award 3 – for "individual emerging professional performing musicians" – include Niamh Regan (€2,894 for an electric guitar), Rosie Murphy (€13,361 for a concert harp), and Kevin O'Loughlin (€6,500 for a viola and bow).

The Music Capital Scheme, which was established in 2008, is managed by Music Network.

“The 2021 round of the Music Capital Scheme will again benefit so many deserving organisations and individuals, just as it has since it was initially launched over a decade ago," the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, commented today. "I see this capital scheme as one of our key funding initiatives and I wish to express my sincere thanks to Music Network for managing this scheme.

“The Music Capital Scheme is designed to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Ireland," she continued. "As a former music teacher, I know how important good quality musical instruments are to musicians, bands and groups that engage with their local communities nationwide. Each year funding is ring-fenced for a number of counties and this year funding of €34,500 was prioritised for counties Donegal, Kilkenny and Sligo.

“I’m also delighted to see 26 talented professional musicians benefitting from the scheme, in particular the nine emerging artists who will receive assistance in the purchase of instruments and equipment across many genres, which will support them and their careers for many years to come."

MUSIC CAPITAL SCHEME 📢

Minister @cathmartingreen welcomes @MusNetIrl's announcement of 55 awardees in the latest round of funding.

€306,096 will support the purchase of musical instruments by performing groups & individual musicians.

Find out more➡️https://t.co/S6DFZPrDbv pic.twitter.com/A2wDntKt8D

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) July 4, 2022

See the full list of recipients here.