The aim of the Trust is to give people of all ages the opportunities to access, participate in and enjoy the arts (particularly the performing arts), and support projects that widen access and have a lasting cultural impact on local communities.
Grant awards generally start at a few hundred pounds. The Trust has previously awarded multi-year grants of up to £30,000 per annum, however applicants are advised that the majority of grants awarded are considerably less than this. The Trust only awards a small number of grants each year.
Funding is for projects in a particular area of the performing arts in each grant round:
- Round 1 - Music festivals (children's performances are excluded)
- Round 2 - Early career artists' performance programmes focusing on performance opportunities
- Round 3 - Children and young people's music education (choirs are excluded)
Music education and engagement projects for children will be considered at every grants round
Most grants will be awarded for specific projects, but the Trust will also contributions towards the core costs of smaller organisations where a grant could make an impact.
In 2026, the Trust will once again focus each of their three grant rounds on a different category of music projects.
The application periods for 2026 are as follows:
- Round 1 - Music festivals (children's performances are excluded) - 13 January to 27 January.
- Round 2 - Early-career artists' performance programmes focusing on performance opportunities - 12 May to 26 May.
- Round 3 - Children and young people's music education (choirs are excluded) - 1 September to 15 September.