Arts Council of Northern Ireland Grants

Travel Award for Bands and Choirs

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Travel Award for Bands and Choirs from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland helps established bands and choirs based in Northern Ireland to travel outside Northern Ireland to perform. The aim is to develop your performance skills, networks and audiences by showcasing your music elsewhere. It also supports fairer access to the arts for groups in the bands and choral sectors. The award pays for travel costs, including flight, boat, train and bus tickets, vehicle hire and fuel. It does not cover accommodation, subsistence, insurance, travel within Northern Ireland, or travel unrelated to performances or showcasing. You must show evidence that a relevant organisation, event, festival, promoter or tour operator in your destination has invited you to perform or showcase. Priority goes to applications that show high quality musicianship, a commitment to training and musical education (particularly of young people), and a commitment to developing your repertoire and technique. Bands must be formally constituted. Accordion, brass, concert, flute, pipe and wind bands can apply. Choirs need at least 10 members and must have been formally constituted for at least two years. Professional, amateur and school choirs are included. Individuals cannot apply. Timing matters. Do not book your travel before you submit your application, because if any part is already booked, none of that trip is eligible. You must apply at least four weeks before you plan to leave. The Arts Council only contributes to travel costs paid directly by the band or choir from its own bank account, not costs paid by individual members. The Arts Council is moving to a new application portal, so you may need to create a new account the first time you apply. Official source: https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding-for-organisations/travel-awards-for-bands-choirs. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.