Music Network has today (12 December) announced a new €180k Music Network Capital Scheme Piano Award that will provide funding to arts venues and organisations for the purchase or refurbishment of grand pianos. 

The Piano Award is open to organisations across the country that provide a year-round, high-quality music programme, that support professional musicians, and have a track record of community and audience engagement. Total funding of €180k is available and applicants can apply for the purchase of new or secondhand pianos, in addition to refurbishment works. 

The award is an extension of the established Musical Capital Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and has provided funding for instruments for groups and individuals since 2008. This new award, as well as the recent National Instrument Collection award, is the result of additional Music Network funding announced by Minister Catherine Martin in May.

‘This investment is having a transformative effect on Ireland’s musical landscape, in many different settings,’ said Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston. 

We are particularly excited about the opportunity the funding has provided to enable two new awards this year, through the establishment of The Music Network National Instrument Collection earlier in 2024 and now the Piano Award. These new supports are a significant step forward in addressing the barriers encountered by emerging professional musicians, venues and music promoters across the country.

Eligible applicants include arts venues and music organisations programming in a dedicated performance space and who do not have an operating concert standard grand piano. 

Applicants may apply for up to 75% of the cost of purchasing the piano (including any refurbishment costs); or up to 70% of the cost of refurbishing a grand piano to bring it up to concert standard (unless the refurbishment cost is €15,000 or less, in which case the percentage will reduce to 50%).

The Music Network Capital Scheme Piano Award is now open for applications and the deadline is 19 February 2025 at 2pm. 

For further information, visit www.musicnetwork.ie.