Continuo Foundation opens first round of grants for 2023

Continuo Foundation has today announced the launch of its fifth round of grants, the arts charity’s first this year. The organisation is offering a total of £100,000 to support creative projects by UK period-instrument ensembles between April and September this year.

The funds, all raised from donations to the foundation, will be distributed to facilitate projects bringing live music to communities in in under-served areas across the UK. Since its foundation in September 2020 to support freelance period-instrument musicians during the pandemic, Continuo Foundation has provided a total of £460,000 to projects by sixty-five ensembles.

Foundation founder Tina Vadaneaux said: ‘It is a privilege to nurture talent and creativity, and I feel fortunate to spend my time interacting with musicians and the generous donors who make our work possible - and going to concerts, lots of concerts. Our aim for 2023 is to support our growing community in a more comprehensive and sustainable way by leveraging technology to create a flourishing period-performance scene in every region of the UK.’

In this round of grants Continuo expects to award 20 grants ranging from £2,000 to £8,000 to professional UK-based ensembles of at least three period instrumentalists. Applications will undergo a two-stage evaluation process led by the Foundation’s expert advisory panel. Up to four grants will go to recently formed ensembles. The deadline for applications will be 6 February 2023, and award decisions expected by 23 March. Applications can be made here.

The foundation’s aim for 2022 was to encourage recovery within the classical music sector, rebuilding the careers of period-instrument musicians and support the delivery of classical music across the UK. This year, the organisation aims to ‘continue to provide a platform for fostering long-term growth in performance activity and audiences, widening access and increasing financial sustainability.’