Support for activities that increase participation in folk art traditions

About North East Endowment for Musical Traditions

The North East Endowment for Musical Traditions specifically supports activities that seek to increase participation and involvement in the folk art traditions across the North East. These might include music, dance or other art forms.

The fund has always had a particular focus on engaging the next generation of participants, performers and audiences. As such for this round we are inviting applications for projects that link schools with a festival or arts venue. For example a series of workshops led by bought in professionals leading to a performance at the festival  or arts venue. Teaching workshops will take place in schools (as extra curricular activity) or other youth settings.

Applications can come from either the school/youth group or the arts organisation/festival. This fund has an emphasis on quality artistic delivery so as much information as possible about who the artists are should be included.

Examples of previously funded work include the establishment of an after school Ceilidh band in Durham and a school workshop programme and performance linked to Saltburn Folk Festival.

Application considerations

Grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 are available and decisions will be made by a panel that includes the fund holders and independent musicians working in the field of traditional music.

For schools making applications please pay careful attention to your governance structure. In particular, schools that are part of a Multi Academy Trust will need to ensure that applications are made from the Trust as the accountable body.

These grants are not available to freelance artists, although we encourage organisations to reference them where applicable.

The strongest applications will be those that evidence a partnership approach but we understand that sometimes it is not possible to have established a working relationship or contact before the funding is secured.

Applicants must arrange an exploratory conversation with Jo Cundall, Senior Advisor, Culture, by email or filling in the web form below, before making an application.

To make an application, please click here.