Music Network today welcomed the announcement by Josepha Madigan TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, confirming funding of €245,500 for the Music Capital Scheme 2018.
The Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and managed by Music Network, comprises two distinct awards that provide funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and to professional musicians.
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD said:
“The Music Capital Scheme is a wonderful initiative which has benefitted thousands of people since the scheme was set up in 2008. The Music Capital Scheme is a key music resource through which musical groups and talented individuals may be awarded funding towards the purchase of musical instruments. I am very pleased that my Department is once again in a position to support the scheme and I wish all of the musicians involved every success with their future musical endeavours”.
Commenting on the announcement, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said:
“This year’s announcement will add to the 301 awards granted to musicians and organisations under the scheme to date, supporting Music Network’s mission to make live music happen throughout Ireland. As well as individual musicians, among others the scheme supports youth bands, ensembles, orchestras, community initiatives and resource organisations working in a diverse range of genres. The instruments provided through the Music Capital Scheme continue to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music making and live music performance throughout Ireland. We greatly appreciate the continued support of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in this respect.”
The Music Capital Scheme was established by The Arts Council, The IRMA Trust and Music Network in 2008 as an action-research initiative designed to provide support for the purchase of musical instruments. In response to the success of the initial pilot scheme, funding has been made available since 2011 by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The Music Capital Scheme has funded 301 musicians, groups and organisations, benefitting up to 31,000 people throughout Ireland since its inception in 2008.
The Music Capital Scheme will open for applications on Thursday 11th January 2018 with a deadline of 12 pm on Tuesday 20th February 2018. Further information is available at www.musicnetwork.ie.
For further details, please contact Music Network’s Programmes Administrator Sarah Cunningham at Tel 01 475 0224 / programmesadmin@nullmusicnetwork.ie.
