Continuo Foundation

Continuo Foundation, established in September 2020 by UK music professionals led by chair Pelayia Tina Vadaneaux, is a charitable organisation dedicated to sustaining and advancing the UK's Baroque and early music sector. Responding to post-pandemic challenges for freelance musicians and period-instrument ensembles, it provides direct project funding and builds sector infrastructure through Continuo Connect—a digital hub offering concert listings, artist profiles, and educational resources. Its ethos emphasises accessibility, collaboration, artistic excellence, innovation, audience growth, and music's transformative power, fostering resilient careers and nationwide reach.

The Foundation exclusively funds professional UK-resident period-instrument ensembles specialising in historically informed performances of Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic repertoire. Supported activities include live concerts, tours, recordings, films, outreach, and educational events, prioritising projects with strong artistic merit, creative engagement, career development for young musicians, and access to underserved regions or unconventional venues like churches and community spaces. It targets both established and emerging groups, with 20% of funds reserved for newly formed ensembles, having backed 110 ensembles across 228 projects in 240 UK locations since 2021.

Eligible applicants are small-to-medium, musician-led UK ensembles with no strict income thresholds, though preference favours those with limited fundraising history; all funded activity must occur UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Applications are unsolicited via online form in two annual competitive rounds (typically February and August), with a two-stage review by advisory panel and trustees; next deadline is 11 August 2025, decisions by 18 September. Grants range from £2,000-£8,000 (median £3,500-£5,000), totalling £100,000 per round for 25-31 awards. Exclusions include core costs, unrestricted or capital funding, and non-UK or non-specialist projects; uniquely, it blends grantmaking with digital unification and pro bono operations for long-term sector resilience.