The Arts Council in association with the IRMA Trust and Music Network (MN) today announced the names of 41 individuals and organisations awarded funding through the Music Capital Scheme and Research Project. A total of €347,000 has been awarded to professional musicians, non-professional performing groups and community-based organisations involved in supporting music practice in their area for the purchase of musical instruments and rehearsal equipment. The scheme elicited 298 applications across three funding streams with the value of funding requests totalling in excess of €2,200,000.
Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD said: "It has been a long-standing ambition of my Department to provide funds for the purchase of musical instruments and rehearsal equipment. We have worked closely with the Arts Council over the past months to develop a thoughtful and strategic response to this important area of activity and I am delighted to see the first outcomes of this significant new initiative. It is encouraging to see such a diverse range of grant recipients across the various strands of the new scheme from youth bands, ensembles, orchestras, community initiatives and resource organisations."
The Director of the Arts Council, Mary Cloake, said: "Over a number of years, the Arts Council has been keenly aware of the clear need to provide assistance in the purchase of costly musical instruments. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr Martin Cullen TD and his officials have enabled us to develop a meaningful response to this need. We are delighted to see the impact of the targeted contribution made to the initiative by the IRMA Trust who have been a key strategic partner in the initiative. The high number of applications to the scheme brings home the level of need that exists in the area of capital provision for music and we greatly appreciate Music Network’s professionalism and expertise in managing the complex process."
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