Arts Council NI: Musical Instruments for Bands

Overview

The Arts Council has designed this programme to increase the quality of music-making in the community by helping bands to replace worn-out instruments and purchase new instruments.

Particular priority will be given to applications which can demonstrate

• high quality musicianship;
• a commitment to training and musical education, particularly of young people; and,
• a commitment to repertoire and technique development in relation to the band’s existing repertoire and technical standards.

Who can apply?

The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of organisations and in particular from applicants whose projects benefit individuals categorised under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In addition, in order to be eligible to apply to this programme, please note the following:

• This scheme is open to bands based in Northern Ireland, which are formally constituted.
• The following types* of bands are eligible for this scheme: Accordion Orchestra/Band (part, melody or marching), Brass Band, Concert Band, Flute Band (part, melody or marching), Pipe Band, Wind Band

How much funding is available?

Please keep in mind that the amount of money available is limited and demand for funds is likely to be extremely high. It is not usually possible to fund all applications which simply meet the criteria or to fund the entirety of any given request. 

They will aim to distribute funds as widely as possible and may take account in the assessment of your application of the level of support you have previously received or are currently receiving, as well as your organisation’s management of any previous grants.

• You may apply for a maximum grant of £10,000. 
• You should be realistic in your expectations and budgets and bear in mind that the Council may choose to fund specific elements of your proposal rather than the full request. 
• You may apply for multiple instruments.
• You will need to provide at least 2 quotations for each requested item of equipment; or 3 if the value of the item is above £5,000 (see Guidance).
• If you are requesting more than one of any given item of equipment, only one set of quotations is necessary. For example, if you request 3 identical flutes which each cost £1,000, you only need to upload 2 quotations in relation to this; you do not have to upload 2 separate quotations for each of the 3 flutes. 
• They will not pay VAT on any expenditure incurred by VAT registered organisations with the ability to reclaim VAT costs.
• Remember that the grant will be paid in 2 stages (see Guidance). 
• Once awarded, grants cannot be increased. 
• In the event that you receive an award, you cannot make any changes to the list of approved instruments, although alternative makes and models of the same instruments may be considered. However, you must seek approval for any such changes.

All applicants must provide partnership funding.

The minimum partnership funding provided by you must be 10% in cash (as opposed to in kind) from non-Arts Council sources.

• Applicants must demonstrate how the remaining 10% will be funded.
• The 10% cannot be wholly or partly comprised of a discount from instrument suppliers.
• The Arts Council will only fund a maximum of 90% of the total costs of the instruments you are seeking to purchase.

For all applicants, the assessment process may take into account the other funds you are able to bring to the project and this may influence the outcome of the assessment.

What you can apply for

• Bows
• Drum heads
• Drum sticks / brushes
• Effects pedals
• Electro-acoustic equipment
• Instrument amplifiers
• iPads *
• Tuners
• Instrument cases
• Instrument leads
• Instrument maintenance / refurbishment
• Instrument stands
• Microphones
• Mutes
• Recording equipment
• Music stands
• PA Systems
• Reeds
• Shoulder rests
• Specialist stools where necessary
• Straps
• Metronomes

*  Requests for laptops or iPads must clearly demonstrate that the items will be used in relation to musical practice / tuition. iPads must be used as the instrument, £500 cap.

** For the purpose of the programme, maintenance costs may include, for example: For Accordions: replacing reeds, blocks, plates, steel tongues, bellows, bellow gaskets, tuning, waxing, general servicing.

Please note that all instruments must be purchased and delivered by Tuesday 31 March 2026. Completion of the procurement, purchase and delivery of your requested instruments between notification of award (anticipated September 2025) and 31 March 2026. Eligible expenditure can only be incurred within these dates.