Continuo Foundation launches first funding round of 2025
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Grants available range from £2,000 to £8,000, with the total amount of funding available in this round set at £100,000
Grant-giving charity Continuo Foundation has today launched its ninth funding round, its first funding round of 2025. The Foundation is now inviting funding applications from period-instrument ensembles for early music projects taking place in the UK between May and October 2025.
The total amount of funding available in this latest grant round is £100,000, with grants available ranging from £2,000 to £8,000. Applications are open for professional UK-based period instrument ensembles as well as emerging ensembles, and at least 20% of the funds will be directed to support these formed groups.
Foundation CEO Tina Vadaneaux said: ‘Musician-run ensembles are the beating heart of the early music sector, and yet they face the most enormous challenges. Continuo lightens the burdens of fundraising and marketing for musicians, thereby providing greater opportunity for creating and sharing their music more widely.’
Submissions will be assessed by the Foundation’s trustees and an advisory panel including choral director and organist David Hill MBE, music historian Dr Berta Joncus, actor Lindsay Kemp, violinist Catherine Mackintosh and conductor and keyboard player Joseph McHardy. Project proposals will be evaluated in terms of artistic quality, audience reach and long-term impact and must be submitted by 10 February, with awards announced by 21 March.
Since its inception in 2020, the Foundation has awarded £850,000 to 100 UK period-instrument ensembles and has supported 200 projects so far. The Foundation also supports UK-based professinal early music artists through its Continuo Connect digital platform, offering an online hub for musicians and audiences to find out about early music projects in their local area.
