Applying for an Instrument or Bow

Adé Williams, Instrument Loan Program recipient

Criteria for Determining Instrument Loans

Applications to the Rachel Barton Pine (RBP) Foundation’s Instrument Loan Program are accepted from young classical players of bowed string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, baroque violin, baroque viola, baroque cello, viola da gamba) between the ages of 6 and 29 of any gender, race, ethnicity, or country of origin. Instrument loans are given on the basis of musical talent and accomplishment, artistic aspirations, financial need, and the availability of suitable instruments.

The RBP Foundation does NOT provide support for the private purchase of instruments.

Being accepted into the RBP Foundation’s Instrument Loan Program does not guarantee that we will immediately have an instrument available for your use. You will receive an instrument on a first come first serve basis as our instruments are returned to us by their current recipients and as we receive new instruments into our collection.

The RBP Foundation’s collection of fine string instruments and bows is continually growing. We recommend that you apply for an instrument loan even if we do not currently have an instrument that fits your needs. By demonstrating to potential instrument lenders and donors that we have a waiting list, we may be able to secure a suitable instrument for you.

Deadlines for Application

The RBP Foundation reviews instrument loan applications three times per year. For applications received by April 1^st, you will be notified by May 5^th. For applications received by August 1^st, you will be notified by September 5^th. For applications received by December 1^st, you will be notified by January 5^th.

Yearly reapplications are required for retaining an instrument loan; reapplications are due December 1^st and you will be notified by January 5^th.

If you are currently borrowing a small instrument and have outgrown it before the duration of your loan contract has expired, you do not need to reapply. We will try to provide you with a larger instrument.

How to Apply

To apply for an instrument loan or to re-apply when an existing loan is expiring, you must use the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation’s portal on getacceptd.com.

Other Assistance Programs for Young Artists

• Amati Foundation
• Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation
• Benslow Instrument Loan Scheme
• Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank
• Carlsen Cello Foundation
• Doublestop Foundation
• Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship
• Loan Fund for Musical Instruments
• Maestro Foundation
• Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
• National Arts Council of Singapore Violin Loan Scheme
• National YoungArts Foundation
• New York State Council on the Arts Musical Instrument Revolving Loan Fund
• Tarisio Trust Young Artist Grants
• Virtu Foundation

Please contact the RBP Foundation if you know of any other resources that should be added to this list. Thank you.