Live Music Now NI is thrilled to announce that it has secured funding for a second consecutive year from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Annual Funding Programme (AFP). The funding will enable the organisation to continue its vital work bringing high-quality live music experiences to people across Northern Ireland—especially those who face barriers to access.
This renewed support will contribute to a rich programme of events designed to support emerging and established Northern Irish musicians in building successful careers. The funding will underpin specialist training, mentoring, and paid work opportunities, helping artists to develop new skills, resilience, and professional networks.
At the heart of the programme is a commitment to delivering innovative music experiences that not only spark creativity in musicians and participants but also support mental health and wellbeing in communities across the region. Through workshops, performances, and long-term projects, Live Music Now NI aims to create greater access to live music—particularly for children living with disabling barriers and older people who are often excluded.
“We’re delighted and grateful to receive AFP funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for a second year. This continued support means we can deepen our work using music within health and education settings and delivering specialist training sessions for professional musician and staff in partner venues. We are especially excited to expand our Music and Autism programme through a year-long research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to support musical opportunities for pupils in Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools.
We will also continue to work in special schools across Northern Ireland, rolling out our ‘Inspire’ and ‘Count Me In’ projects and launching an online concert series ‘Musical Monday’. The funding also means we can continue our much-loved Songs and Scones concert series in Limavady and our ‘Live Music in Care’ supporting older people living with dementia. It’s shaping up to be a transformative year for both musicians and communities alike!”
Margaret Kelly, Programme Director for Live Music Now NI
With a proven track record of impact, Live Music Now NI continues to lead the way in using music as a bridge—connecting artists with communities, and creativity with care.
