Arts >> Music >> Other Music

How to Apply for UNESCO Grants for Traditional Music

Founded in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization exists to enhance national and cultural institutions through global cooperation. One of its main priorities is the preservation of culture, including traditional music. UNESCO uses funding from its member states and private sources to support a variety of fellowships and grants made available through the National Commission of each member state. These prizes can be awarded to any citizen of a member nation. Properly identifying what grants you can apply for, as well as how to apply, gives you a great head start in being awarded funds for your project.

Instructions

  1. Identifying and Applying For UNESCO Grants/Fellowhships

    • 1

      Ensure that your project can utilize public funding, and demonstrates preservation or advancement of traditional music.

    • 2

      Identify which National Commission you can petition for funding. Go to www.unesco.org. Click "Communities" in the left margin. Under "Communities," select "National Commissions." Click the link "196 National Commissions." It will take you to the Directory of National Commissions for UNESCO. You belong to the National Commission for your country. If you're Belgian, select the Belgium National Commission.

    • 3

      Contact your National Commission and inquire into what fellowships or grants are available for your specific project. The Directory of National Commissions for UNESCO website contains contact information for all 196 National Commissions. Not all National Commissions have websites, but any existing websites are listed, and contain further information about grants and fellowships specific to that National Commission.

    • 4

      Decide which grant or fellowship best benefits your project. Make sure you examine prize rules and regulations closely; some grants cannot be used to fund certain expenditures, like property or equipment.

    • 5

      Apply for your chosen grant or fellowship. Application guidelines vary from prize to prize. Some grants, like the Prize for the Promotion of the Arts, cannot be applied for, and are selected by committee. Others require a full application. Take the time to do a proper application; UNESCO grant applications can be incredibly long and involved, and grants themselves are incredibly competitive.

Other Music

Related Categories