Music Network has announced the introduction of an exciting new award, which will provide support and work for professional musicians in Ireland.
With funding from the Arts Council, the new Performance and Touring Award has been developed by Music Network, the national music development organisation, to assist Irish and Ireland-based musicians in realising performance opportunities.
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With an initial award fund of €65,000 in 2006, it is hoped the award will: offer increased employment opportunities to Irish musicians; develop the skills base of Irish artists in areas such as project planning and administration, self-promotion and self-management; and offer a new source of music programming to concert promoters, and in turn to audiences throughout Ireland
Welcoming the announcement of the Award, the Arts Council’s Director, Mary Cloake commented: “This initiative is great news for Irish musicians. Performing is a crucial part of any musical career; however, opportunities can be limited and many musicians do not have the financial resources to plan and realise concerts themselves. This Award not only creates those opportunities but will also help musicians to acquire additional skills which will be of huge benefit to them professionally.”
Commenting on the Award, Music Network Chief Executive, Deirdre McCrea stated: “Music Network has a long track record of working with and supporting professional musicians. We see the development and operation of this new Performance and Touring Award as a natural extension of our existing services to Irish artists and promoters.”
The Award is open to musicians and ensembles of all genres who are of Irish nationality or resident in Ireland. It is hoped it will appeal to a wide range of artists and ensembles at different stages in their career.
Projects eligible for the Award will include tours, concert series and individual concerts to take place anywhere within the Republic of Ireland. The Award is also open to multidisciplinary projects with live music as a key element, and to collaborative projects involving other Irish or visiting international artists.
Music Network will provide musicians with guidelines and information sheets to assist them in planning their project prior to application. Musicians are also encouraged to liaise and co-plan with prospective promoters in all areas relating to their projects.
Further information and application packs are available from Music Network, Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, 01 6719429, and will be downloadable from www.musicnetwork.ie from Wednesday 26th April. The first 2006 deadline is 5.00pm on Monday 29th May, with a further application deadline in September (for projects taking place either in 2006 or 2007).
ENDS
Further media information: Sarah Murphy admin@musicnetwork.ie 01 6719429
Music Network
Music Network is the national music development agency, which aims to make high quality live music available and accessible to everyone in Ireland. It organises subsidised tours of internationally acclaimed classical, jazz and traditional Irish musicians in partnership with local promoters throughout the North and South of the country, and offers a more flexible programme of stand-alone subsidised concerts featuring emerging and established Irish performers. It has developed a music information service and publishes online information databases including the Irish Music Handbook Online and www.learnmusic.info, Ireland’s first online directory of music schools and private music teachers. Music Network is also responsible for innovative research in the area of music education and music in healthcare, and was a partner in the development of the Vogler String Quartet residency in Sligo.
