Mayo art venues and musicians can apply for Music Capital Scheme piano funding

Music Network with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has opened applications for the Music Capital Scheme Piano Award. This will provide up to €300,000 for the purchase or refurbishment of concert standard grand pianos for arts venues and music presenters across the country.

Last October, Patrick O'Donovan T.D., Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, confirmed a total investment of €1,939,700 for the Music Capital Scheme 2025, which has been supporting the purchase of musical instruments for both individual professional musicians and non-professional performing groups for the past 17 years.

The scheme’s impact has increased significantly in recent years and was expanded in 2024 to include two new awards that benefit both emerging professional musicians and arts venues. Award 4 provides quality string instruments on loan to emerging classical players, with award 5, supporting arts venues and music presenters to purchase or refurbish concert standard grand pianos.

Award 5, The Piano Award is open to organisations that provide a year–round, high quality music programme, support the work of professional musicians and have a strong track record in audience and community engagement. A total fund of €300,000 is available through the award, and applications to purchase new or second-hand pianos in addition to refurbishment of pianos, can be supported through the scheme.

Applicants wishing to acquire a concert standard grand piano can apply for up to 75% of the purchase cost. The scheme welcomes applications relating to all high-quality brands (for example Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai), both new and second-hand. Any refurbishment costs required to bring a second-hand instrument being purchased up to concert standard can be included in addition to the instrument purchase price. Applicants wishing to refurbish a grand piano can apply for up to 70% of the cost of refurbishment, unless the refurbishment cost is €15,000 or less, in which case the percentage will reduce to 50%.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan T.D. said: “I’m very pleased that we have been able to establish this important strand of the Music Capital Scheme, which will ensure that music venues are equipped with world class instruments. The Piano Award represents a significant step forward in supporting high quality live music performance nationwide, which will benefit both musicians and audiences alike. I would like to thank Music Network for the outstanding work they do in supporting live music across Ireland.”

Established in 2008 by The Arts Council, the Music Capital Scheme is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and managed by Music Network. Since it was established, the scheme has made 657 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 59,000 people across the country. Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Applications for the latest round of the Music Capital Scheme Piano Award are available here. Applications close on Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview in April/May.

There will be an online information session for applicants on Tuesday, March 3, at 11 a.m. Register here to take part in the information session.

Further details and information are available here.