Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
349. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if grants are currently available to musicians and singers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21308/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough additional allocations from my Department, the Arts Council has received a total allocation of €105m (an increase of 40% from 2019) which includes substantial funding schemes for the music sector.
My Department is also finalising details of the Music Stimulus package, consisting of a range of supports to be provided to professional musicians and the music industry. Funding for this programme was announced as part of the July Stimulus Package and the programme will be delivered by First Music Contact. An announcement regarding these grants will be made shortly. I will also shortly announce details of a pilot live performance event scheme which was provided for in the July stimulus package.
These measures are in addition to funding provided by my Department for online content through Culture Ireland's Ireland Performs, the Other Voices Courage programme, the National Concert Hall Livestream series, and the Hot Press Young and Emerging Artists sessions
In addition, through my Department's Culture Ireland programme, funding has been provided to support the upcoming digital presentation of Ireland Music Week to create opportunities specifically for musicians in the rock indie sector. In recent months, Culture Ireland has supported musicians and singers through its Ireland Performs initiative and the recent Culture Ireland stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival which reached audiences across North America and 16 countries.
Culture Ireland's regular grant scheme is also open for applications relating to international presentation of work from artists in all artforms during 2021. The closing date for receipt of applications is 15th October 2020 and full details are available on the website.
