The Music Capital Scheme for the purchase of musical instruments is now accepting applications.

€210,000 has been allocated by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys to fund and administer the scheme, including €120,350 towards Stream 1 (non-professional performing groups and ensembles, and organisations), €61,000 towards Stream 2 (highly skilled performing artists), and €28,650 towards the administration of the scheme, including the digitisation of the application process, five advice clinics across the country, the employment of an artistic adviser and panellists, and publicity costs.

The scheme is administered by Music Network and has funded 195 musicians, groups and organisations since 2008.

Last year a total of €178,500 was awarded. Recipients included St Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts (€20,599), Ardee Concert Band (€15,000), Gleneagle Concert Band (€15,000), Ensemble Avalon cellist Gerald Peregrine (€8,409), violist Robin Panter of the Irish Chamber Orchestra (€8,165), and harpsichordist and organist Macolm Proud (€7,500).

Music Network will be hosting a series of free information clinics for applicants on 22–30 September in Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kilkenny.

To reserve a place email programmesadmin [at] musicnetwork.ie by 18 September or phone 01-4750224.

The deadline for applications is 15 October 2015.

For further details visit http://www.musicnetwork.ie/musicians/funding/