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The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation

Open or will open again Arts, culture and heritage Children (0-12) Performing arts Young people (13-25) Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Micro (up to £1,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Overview

They are a small Foundation with funds from the royalties generated by performances, broadcasts and publication of the works of composer Michael Tippett (1905–98).

Their two objectives are:

  • to award grants to support the development of group music-making especially involving young people, with composing central to the project
  • to support the performance or recording of works by Michael Tippett

Receipts from Tippett royalties have decreased significantly due to the loss of performances during the Covid pandemic.

 In 2023 and 2024 the Trustees decided to focus the Foundation’s activity exclusively on the funding of performances and recording of music by Michael Tippett, with the aim of generating greater revenue for a wider range of activities in future years. This will remain the case in 2025.

What they might support

For 2025 they are looking to support the performance or recording anywhere in the world of music composed by Tippett. 

The Trustees will consider applications pertaining to any of his compositions but are likely to prioritise plans for specific works that are less frequently performed or projects which are unlikely to be mounted without additional financial support. Projects which involve young people, or which have a participatory element will be looked at with particular interest.

They are not currently able to support research into the music of Tippett. If you are unsure as to the suitability or eligibility of your project please be in touch.

All performance material is available from Schott - sole publishers of Tippett’s music - and the award of a grant from the Foundation should not be taken to mean that any relevant performances licenses have been granted.

What they might give

Grants are likely to be between £500 and £3,000, with the average grant in the region of £2,000. Larger grants may be considered for significant projects. Demand is often greater than the funds available, and only a minority of applications can be supported.

Key dates

Application Deadline 30/09/2025