The Northern Ireland Music Prize, alongside the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and the Welsh Music Prize, has come together to launch the National Music Prize Network (NMPN), a new collaborative initiative that will support artists, promote cultural exchange and amplify the impact of each individual prize.

Established in partnership by the Oh Yeah Music Centre, the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) and the Welsh Music Prize, the NMPN marks a significant step forward in fostering meaningful collaboration between the three nations. Its focus is on building stronger pathways for artists, facilitating knowledge-sharing and supporting long-term sustainability within the music sector.

Each prize will retain its own identity, but the network will operate as a shared platform for joint campaigns, co-hosted events and creative partnerships. By working together, the NMPN aims to increase visibility for participating artists and prizes, both at home and internationally, while showcasing the unique musical output of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of the Oh Yeah Music Centre – who organise the NI Music Prize – commented:

“The NI Music Prize has always sought to spotlight the incredible depth of talent emerging from Northern Ireland, and we’re proud to now join forces with our counterparts in Scotland and Wales to launch the National Music Prize Network. This partnership is about more than just awards – it’s about connection, collaboration and creating stronger pathways for artists across our three nations.”

“By working together, we can elevate our shared values, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a more resilient and inclusive music sector for the future. The power of music to cross borders and bring communities together has never been more important, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve through this new alliance.”

The network builds on several years of informal cooperation and arrives at a time of ongoing change and opportunity in the wider music industry. A steering committee, made up of one representative from each of the three founding prizes, will meet quarterly to guide strategy and oversee activities including promotional partnerships, collaborative programming, and cross-border networking.

Each of the prizes brings legacy and influence to the partnership. Established in 2013, the NI Music Prize has become a key platform for celebrating the richness and diversity of music from Northern Ireland. It awards a trophy and £3,000 prize for Album of the Year, supported by PPL. The SAY Award, launched in 2012, has distributed over £390,000 to Scottish artists, while the Welsh Music Prize will mark its 15th anniversary in 2025, continuing to champion outstanding albums from across Wales.

Looking ahead, the NMPN also opens the door for potential future growth, with scope for other national and international music prizes to join in the years to come.

For more information, visit here.