Musical Instruments Programme

Musical Instruments Programme is a grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland that funds instrument purchases for exceptional professional musicians. The program targets highly-skilled, high-profile performers working at a professional level — either as soloists or in small groups or chamber ensembles — across any musical genre.

Applicants must live in Northern Ireland, have contributed to the arts there for at least one year within the last five years, and be at least 18 years old. Non-professional musicians and those still in secondary education are not eligible. Award amounts vary; a 2024 investment totaled over £101,990.

Musical Instruments Programme – Musical Instruments… | Arts Council NI All Funding for Individuals The Arts Council has designed this programme to provide funding for highly-skilled, exceptional, high-profile performing musicians working only at a professional level who seek support for the purchase of high quality instruments that are central to their performing career.

This award is open to musicians working as a high-level performer in a solo capacity or as part of a small group / chamber ensemble in any musical genre. This scheme is aimed at providing instruments for rehearsal and performance. The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of individuals and in particular from applicants categorised under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

In addition, in order to be eligible to apply to this programme, you must be a professional musician and must be living in Northern Ireland, who will make regular use of the instrument in Northern Ireland who is working as a high-level performer in a solo capacity or as part of a small group / chamber ensemble in any musical genre.

Eligible applicants must also Have made a contribution to the artistic activities in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of 1 year within the last 5 years; Be at least 18 years old and not in secondary education.

Non-professional musicians Individuals under the age of 18 or still in secondary education Applicants who received an award from the Musical Instruments for Individuals Programme in the previous 8 years Applicants who have broken the conditions of any previous ACNI award. Guidance Notes Musical Instruments for Individuals 25 26 (311. 5 KB, PDF) You must apply using our online system.

We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, i.e. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission.

These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and are detailed within the Guidance Notes. Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Monday 28 July 2025 .

If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted. If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing deadline . The Arts Council will not accept responsibility for applications which are not successfully submitted by the programme deadline.