News

Iain Archer, one of NI’s most celebrated songwriters, has been elected to the Board of Directors for The Ivors Academy, a distinction that underscores his extraordinary career and the high esteem in which he is held within the industry. This prestigious election follows a vote by the Senate, a representative body of 40 songwriters and … Continued

Charlene Hegarty, a well-regarded advocate for musicians and a prominent figure in NI’s music scene, has been appointed as the first permanent Regional Officer for the Musicians’ Union (MU) in Northern Ireland. This appointment highlights Charlene’s extensive experience and dedication to supporting the local music community and reflects the MU’s commitment to addressing the needs … Continued

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival has announced its 2025 Creative Bursaries, aimed at supporting and showcasing the creative talent in Northern Ireland. With opportunities in music, theatre, street arts, and circus arts, the bursaries provide a platform for artists to develop their work. Applications are open until 5pm on Friday, 3rd January 2025. Bursary Categories … Continued

University of Atypical for Arts and Disability, in partnership with Belfast City Council, has launched Sounds Atypical, a £25,000 grant scheme to support Belfast’s d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent music community. This initiative aims to develop, promote, and provide platforms for disabled musicians in performance spaces across the city. The fund is divided into three grant … Continued

The twelfth Northern Ireland Music Prize took place at Belfast’s Ulster Hall last night, marking the conclusion of this year’s Sound of Belfast programme. Launched in 2013 to honour the best in Northern Irish music, the awards celebrated a broad range of talent with live performances and key wins across several categories. The Album of … Continued

Jordan Adetunji has long been a standout in Belfast’s music scene, now gaining well-deserved international acclaim with his recent Grammy nomination. Hailing from Belfast, UNESCO’s City of Music, Jordan has been shortlisted for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards. This is a huge honour, placing him alongside global icons like Beyoncé and … Continued

Applications are now open for artists to perform at SXSW London, debuting from 2-7 June 2025. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your talent in one of Shoreditch’s renowned live music venues before industry reps, media, and musicians from around the world. This is an exceptional opportunity for Northern Irish artists, whether emerging or established, … Continued

The British Council has unveiled the latest projects to receive support through its International Collaboration Grants, a programme dedicated to fostering new cultural connections worldwide. This £1 million initiative provides grants ranging from £25,000 to £75,000, supporting collaborative ventures between artists, arts professionals, and organisations in the UK and their international counterparts. For NI artists, … Continued

The Cultural Bridge programme is designed to support arts and cultural organisations across the UK and Germany in developing partnerships that explore social arts practice. This initiative aims to foster new and existing connections, building a network of organisations committed to sharing skills and expertise, exchanging ideas, and collaborating on artistic projects that address themes … Continued

Are you an artist or cultural organisation looking to take action on climate change? The British Council’s Climate Futures: South Asia programme is designed to support climate action within the creative industries. This initiative aims to empower the arts sector through grants, mentorship, research, and knowledge exchanges between the UK and South Asia, enabling impactful … Continued