Culture Ireland and TradFest are offering a Showcase opportunity for emerging Irish music artists as part of the annual Festival in Dublin (21 – 25 January 2026). This Showcase is aimed at giving emerging artists a key platform to perform in front of an invited audience of international delegates, industry professionals, agents, and festival and venue programmers with a view to achieving international touring offers.
Culture Ireland now invites applications from artists at the early stages of their careers who wish to participate in this daytime Showcase performance to take place in person at a Dublin venue on Friday 23 January 2026.
Culture Ireland and TradFest welcomes submissions from individual artists or groups from across all trad/folk/world music genres.
Artists who have been already contracted to appear at the 2026 Festival and/or previous TradFest Showcase artists are not eligible to apply.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
• The artist must be able to demonstrate a national profile
• The artist should not already have any significant international touring record
• The artist(s) must have audio and promotional materials and management or agency support
• the artist(s) must demonstrate that they are in a position to capitalise on this showcase including availability and willingness to tour in 2026/2027
• evidence of positive independent critical recognition of significance would strengthen the submission
Applicants should make their submission online – you can start your application by clicking here.
Applicants must include:
• High quality video performance footage
• MP3s of at least three audio tracks
NOTE: Culture Ireland will prepare a shortlist of artists and the final selection will be made by the TradFest team.
Culture Ireland and TradFest are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
Culture Ireland will pay a stipend to all those selected and a contribution towards travel for those resident outside Dublin.
The closing date for applications is Friday 26th September 2025.
Access
If you require additional support in completing this application, please contact [email protected].
