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Musical Instrument Bank

Musical Instrument Bank

Overview

The Musical Instrument Bank (MIB) consists of more than 20 magnificent instruments: violins, cellos and bows created by master instrument makers including Stradivari, Gagliano and Pressenda.

For more information about the winners and the instruments,

visit the Musical Instrument Bank website

 

What is this prize?

Every three years, talented professional classical musicians from Canada compete for a chance to borrow one of the more than 20 legendary instruments from the Canada Council’s MIB.


How to qualify

To be considered for this competition, you must apply with the Council.

A committee of professional musicians and peers will select the recipients following a major national competition.

For eligibility criteria, the application form and further information on the competition, see the Canada Council’s MIB Guidelines and the Musical Instrument Bank website.

We are committed to equity in all our activities, including in the administration of our prizes.


Who created this prize?

The MIB was established in 1985 with a $100,000 bequest from the Barwick family and through the fundraising efforts of the late William Turner, a businessman, and Denis Brott, a cellist, both from Montréal. It enables established soloists and chamber musicians, as well as musicians on the threshold of an international career, to give concerts around the world and to record pieces with MIB instruments over the entire length of the loan.

The MIB includes more than 20 magnificent instruments worth a total of approximately $50 million. The violins, cellos and bows, created by such master craftsmen as Stradivari, Gagliano and Pressenda, have been donated or lent to the MIB since it was created in 1985.

Ric Heinl and his team of luthiers at Geo. Heinl & Co. Limited are responsible for restoring and maintaining the instruments.

Additional information

instrumentbank@canadacouncil.ca

1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 6004

Next Deadline

December 1, 2022

Triennial

A three-year loan of a rare instrument from the Canada Council’s Musical Instrument Bank.

Application-based

Updated guidelines will be posted 2 months prior to the deadline. You can submit an application to instrumentbank@canadacouncil.ca.

Cumulative list of winners

The Canada Council is committed to equity in all its activities, including the administration of prizes and awards.

Accessibility

If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, or a TTY user, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact the Canada Council.

The Canada Council for the Arts can also receive calls from a video relay service (VRS). For more information, visit the VRS Canada website.