Members of the British Federation of Brass Bands Executive Committee attended a meeting recently of the All Party Brass Band Group at the House of Commons.

Applications

There, they were delighted to hear that during the past eighteen months, bands have become increasingly successful in applying for grants from Arts Council England (ACE) and that bands are now just as successful as other art forms with their funding applications.

None at present

In his address, Alan Davey, Chief Executive Officer of Arts Council England, explained that the bulk of Arts Council funding went to Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs) and that, although there were none at present, bands could consider this funding route and should not delay in registering an interest if they wish to be considered for ACE’s 2011/12 RFO awards.

...the bulk of Arts Council funding went to Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs) and that, although there were none at present, bands could consider this funding route4BR

Make applictions

ACE also stressed the need for the community brass band sector to be vibrant, and urged more brass bands to make applications for grants.

Bands should contact their regional music officers for assistance as they must clearly demonstrate that they can make a real difference, not just for themselves but for their audiences and communities too.

Andy Carver, Executive Director, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, told the group about a successful pilot project recently run by the BFBB and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to link community brass bands with their local authority and remarked that these, and projects like these, would help the community brass bands sector to thrive.

Information

The RFO guidance document and further information about other ACE grants, including the ‘Take it away’ scheme which provides individuals with assistance to buy new instruments, can be found at www.artscouncil.org.uk.

The All Party Brass Band Group is chaired by Jeff Ennis MP and supported by the BFBB. The next meeting, at which representatives of the Big Lottery Fund will be invited to speak, is scheduled for February/March 2010.