Culture Vannin awards £26k in grants

Recipients of Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language 2026 grants announced

Culture Vannin has awarded £26,000 in grants for 'imaginative and innovative projects that highlight the Manx Language'.

The charity says the funded projects 'showcase the diversity and creativity of the Island’s language community, with initiatives spanning music, art, education, and digital media'.

Highlights include:

Music & Audio

• A new Manx language podcast chronicling the history and future of the Manx language.
• The first-ever Manx language opera, debuting in the summer of 2026.
• Five innovative electronic tracks featuring both spoken and sung Manx, recorded in collaboration with singers and speakers from across the Isle of Man.
• A debut album for a band of young Manx musicians with a repertoire of original and Manx traditional tunes, with a strong focus on Manx Gaelic singing.
• Nine commissioned pieces for the Isle of Man’s Fire and Folk Festivals, bringing fresh musical interpretations to festival audiences.

Education & Community

• Sulby School’s “Bringing Music to the Playground” initiative, bringing interactive musical activities to their primary school pupils.
• Manx Gaelic course for parents and carers, designed to support families in introducing the language to the next generation and delivered in a community music setting.
• Short stories for adult learners, providing a much-needed resource for the growing Manx language community.
• A season of talks in early 2026, engaging communities in the stories and significance of the Manx language.

Art & Culture

• Wearable Manx, a new clothing range celebrating Manx language and identity.
• A large-scale outdoor mural commissioned by Foxdale School, bringing Manx language into playground.
• Animated videos of Manx speakers being interviewed, capturing voices and stories for a digital audience.

The grants aim to support the Isle of Man’s 2,000+ strong Manx-speaking community while also sparking curiosity and interest amongst the wider community, ensuring that the language continues to thrive for generations to come.

Culture Vannin Director, Dr Breesha Maddrell said: "Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language 2026 is an opportunity to showcase the creativity, energy, and imagination of people passionate about the Manx language.

"These projects are breaking new ground—bringing the language into music, art, digital media, and education in ways that are fresh, contemporary, and inclusive."