Call for Artists
Opens for Application: Monday 1st September 2025.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 16th of November, 2025.
About:
Songlines is a cross-border music development and performance project supporting both emerging and established singer-songwriters and bands from Leitrim and Derry that have yet to reach a mass audience. The project was developed as part of Leitrim County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme with The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton and Nerve Centre, Derry with funding from the Creativity on a Shared Island Programme.
Through expert-led training, creative collaboration, and showcasing, Songlines equips artists with the skills and supports to build sustainable careers. At its heart, Songlines celebrates the power of music to transcend borders and generations—uniting communities, amplifying new voices, building a shared island through sound.
Programme:
Through an open call, approximately 16 acts (bands and/or individual musicians) will be selected to take part in a structured professional development programme. This programme will guide participants through the various stages of the Songlines project and will focus on equipping musicians with essential industry skills including:
Music Production
- Arranging
- Recording
- Editing, Mixing & Mastering
Marketing and Publicity
- Writing about your work
- Website Development
- Streaming and digital promotion
- Getting played
Performance
- Performance and Stage Management
- Gigs, Festivals & Touring
Career Planning
- Career Planning Development
- Developing a Portfolio Career
- Managing a band
- Financial Management
In addition to supporting artists, Songlines aims to engage diverse public audiences with group performances programmed over two festival weekends in Derry and Leitrim.
Why get involved:
- New work created and disseminated under professional conditions
- Public performance opportunities and enhanced exposure to wider audiences
- New creative and professional networks across regional and national boundaries
- A stronger platform for funding, media, or performance opportunities.
- Increased skills and confidence in self-managing artistic careers.
When will it happen:
- Applications to take part in the programme will be accepted though the link below from Monday 1st September until Sunday 16th November 2025.
- The programme of workshops and music development will take place at weekends in Derry and Manorhamilton from January to May 2026. (Approximately one weekend day every two weeks.)
- The public showcases will take place at the Glens Centre in Manorhamilton in June 2026 and on the Nerve Centre Stage at the Stendhal Festival in July 2026.
How much does it cost?
- The programme is free. It is fully funded by Creative Ireland as part of the Creativity on a Shared Island Project.
- Transport will be provided between Derry and Manorhamilton to attend programme activities.
- Personal costs such as food or accommodation and travel other than the bus provided is not covered by the programme.
How are musicians selected?
Musicians are selected by an external panel based on the following criteria:
- Track record of applicant (or potential for emerging musicians) and proven commitment to high quality work.
- Likely benefit of participation to the applicants' practice.
- Likely future impact on audiences.
Do I have to be from Leitrim or Derry?
- Yes, individual musicians must either live or base their practice in Leitrim or Derry. Bands or groups of musicians may include those living or working elsewhere as well as from Leitrim/Derry. However, where applications are assessed in terms of benefit to artists, it is the benefit of those artists ordinarily basing their practice in Leitrim or Derry that is relevant.
How do I apply?
- You can apply online through the link below from Monday 1st September 2025. Closing date for expressions of interest is Sunday 16th November 2025.
For further information contact Leslie Ryan, Professional Development and Artists Supports at lryan@leitrimcoco.ie.