# The Viola Commissioning Circle

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 1179223 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1179223)
- Website: https://www.viola-cc.org.uk
- Latest income: £16.5k; spending £20.2k
- What it funds: Education / training, Arts / culture / heritage / science
- Who it helps: Other defined groups, The general public
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations, Other charitable activities
- Area of operation: Throughout England and Wales, Scotland
- Trustees: 3
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/viola-commissioning-circle

The Viola Commissioning Circle underwrites commissions of new works for the viola to allow composers to start work before co-commissioner funding has been secured. We will not accept any unsolicited approach regarding a commission, whether from a composer, musician, or any other party, but welcome enquiries from orchestras, venues or others interested in programming commissioned works

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jul 2025 | £16.5k | £20.2k | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2024 | £1,950 | £5,935 | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2023 | £5,446 | £16.5k | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2022 | £952 | £0 | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2021 | £1,912 | £18.4k | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> To promote improve develop maintain and advance education and the arts for the public benefit in particular through the promotion support and encouragement of the art of music and all other art forms and specifically but not exclusively by Commissioning or supporting the Commissioning of musical works for the Viola with or without other instruments or voices which in connection therewith may include public performances, master classes, coaching, open rehearsals, workshops, talks and lectures, outreach programmes, publication of scores and parts and recordings.

## What it funds

The Viola Commissioning Circle is registered under the Charity Commission purposes education / training and arts / culture / heritage / science for the general public and other defined groups; the register records that it makes grants to organisations. In its latest reported year The Viola Commissioning Circle reported income of £16.5k and spending of £20.2k. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Jul 2025, it spent £61k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales and Scotland.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Viola Commissioning Circle in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (viola-cc.org.uk) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Viola Commissioning Circle open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Viola Commissioning Circle is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Viola Commissioning Circle fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales and Scotland.

### Does The Viola Commissioning Circle give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that The Viola Commissioning Circle makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does The Viola Commissioning Circle give each year?

The register does not break out The Viola Commissioning Circle's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Jul 2025 was £20.2k. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £12.2k a year.

### How large is The Viola Commissioning Circle?

In its latest reported year The Viola Commissioning Circle reported income of £16.5k and spending of £20.2k.


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## Guides

- [Arts and heritage grants in Scotland: what is open now and who funds it](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/arts-and-heritage-grants-in-scotland)
- [Grants for schools in the UK: where to look and what closes soon](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/grants-for-schools-uk)
- [How to apply to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: who it funds, typical awards and timescales](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-esmee-fairbairn-foundation)