Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced that 134 grants will be issued to individuals, bands and groups from across Northern Ireland, who have been successful in the 2025/26 Musical Instruments Programme.
The programme was open to individuals, bands and professional and non-professional performing groups to purchase new musical instruments and replace old ones.
Minister Lyons said: “Firstly I want to congratulate all the successful applicants of this year’s Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Musical Instruments Programme. Music is part of our culture and it enriches our cultural experiences.
“I recognise that funding is a challenge for many individuals, bands, groups and organisations across the entire music and arts sector so I am pleased to be able to announce this funding which makes a difference across Northern Ireland.
I am delighted to see an increase in awards from 119 last year to 134 this year with increased capital investment from £823k in 2024/25 to £1.1m in 2025/26. This demonstrates the need and I will continue to support those who strive to improve the standards of musicianship in Northern Ireland.
I am also very pleased to see the spread of funding reaches all local council areas.”
The Musical Instruments Programme is designed to help musicians in Northern Ireland replace their old, worn-out instruments and purchase new ones.
A total of 134 grants have been awarded through the Programme, which saw 94 bands (£819,405), 12 professional and non-professional performing groups (£134,928) and 28 professional musicians (£148,667) receive funding.
The Musical Instruments Programme includes three strands:
- The Bands strand of the programme was created to support bands based in Northern Ireland, which are formally constituted, including accordion, brass, flute, pipe, wind and concert bands.
- The Professional and Non-Professional Performing Groups category was open to choirs and orchestras, community music groups, musical societies, primary and post primary schools and youth groups.
- The third strand is for Individual Professional Musicians.
More information on the successful applicants can be found on the Arts Council NI website at https://artscouncil-ni.org/resources/musical-instruments-awards
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “We are pleased to join with the Department for Communities today to share news of funding made available for musicians, bands and groups through the Musical Instruments Programme.
“This funding will reach deep into communities, throughout Northern Ireland, benefiting musicians practicing across a broad range of genres including classical, jazz, traditional, contemporary and electronic music. These instruments will be used to enhance teaching, aid player development and in performances for many years to come.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 