skip to main content

Second Phase of Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Funding Programme Opens

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (NI) Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme has opened up for a second wave of funding applications, as of Thursday 17 December.

Published: 17 December 2020 | 1:34 PM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:32 PM
Photograph of an audience members hands, creating a heart shape with their fingers and held up in  silhouette against purple stage lights.
“The overriding objective of this programme is to retain a vital workforce within the creative sector which is at risk of being lost as a result of Covid-19.” Photo credit: Shutterstock

The fund, which opened for applications on Thursday 17 December, is aimed at supporting individuals working in the creative economy in Northern Ireland – including freelance musicians and DJs.

Priority for funding will be given to those who have been unable to access other forms of financial support from Government or other sources and who have not received funding from the Arts Council of NI’s Artists Emergency Programme (AEP) or Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme 1. However individuals who have previously received Arts Council of NI funding will still be able to apply.

The deadline for applications is 4:00 pm on Thursday 7 January 2021, and the organisers will be doing their best to make their final decisions in February 2021.

Find out more about eligibility criteria, and how to apply for the fund, on Arts Council NI’s website.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Close up of a Border Security Officer at a computer.

Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US

Tamizdat, a non-profit organisation that facilitates international cultural exchange, has provided updated advice for those entering the US, further to recent press commentary regarding increased scrutiny at ports of entry.

Published: 27 March 2025

Read more about Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US
Ankna singing into a microphone on stage.

Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”

In our fourth and final blog for Women's History Month 2025, vocalist Ankna Arockiam explores the challenges women in the music industry face, her work around higher education and activism, and how joining the MU opens up opportunities for a more inclusive industry.

Published: 26 March 2025

Read more about Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”
Group of diverse women sat talking around a table, making notes with paper and laptops, smiling as they network and share ideas.

Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme

Keychange, a movement dedicated to addressing underrepresentation in music, has announced the new participants in its 2025 Talent Leadership Programme. The cohort, which includes the MU’s own ED&I Officer Diljeet Bhachu, will collaborate to drive transformative change within the industry.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme
Three wooden jointed figures in various moves representing posture.

Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”

The Feldenkrais Method, which is grounded in science, can enhance movement efficiency in performance. In this blog, string player and MU member Jonathan Evans-Jones shares his experience of Feldenkrais sessions, run by Emma Alter for the MU, and explains why he’s attended them for five years now.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”