Emerging Artist Scheme

What is it?

The CMC Emerging Artist Scheme provides training, mentorship and professional development opportunities to emerging/early-career artists born or based on the island of Ireland where music composition and/or sound art is their main practice.  

Co-designed by CMC with the artist, the programme is bespoke. It considers the interests and developing practice of the artist, and offers a number of set professional development opportunities to all artists on the scheme through partnerships with other music organisations.  

Who is it for/What does ‘Emerging’ mean?

By ‘Emerging’, we refer to artists who are at an early stage of their career, irrespective of age.

Features of the Scheme

CMC Emerging Artists will receive mentoring and professional development opportunities in an individualised programme created in conjunction with the Contemporary Music Centre for two years. An access budget is available to support artists with disabilities to participate in the Scheme. 

There are two strands to the Scheme, and artists have the opportunity to participate in both if they wish. 

Strand A: This is bespoke to each Emerging Artist and involves mentorship from established CMC composers, workshops with performers, training in different areas of composition tailored to the Emerging Artist, attendance at concerts/conferences etc. as well as support with the submission of funding applications, bursaries and calls. 

Strand B: Offers Emerging Artists a set of professional development opportunities through CMC's partnerships with other music organisations. These include:  

CMC - Irish Chamber Orchestra professional development scheme for CMC Emerging Artists is a new initiative for 2026. CMC Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to write for chamber orchestra and to work directly with ICO musicians across a series of workshops. These sessions, to take place in the ICO Studio in Limerick, will offer invaluable experience and mentorship, culminating in a public performance read-through of new orchestral sketches by Irish Chamber Orchestra in Dublin in September 2026.

IConArts Residency in Sibiu, Romania promotes international exchange between young composers from Ireland, Romania and other countries. Over the course of a week, CMC Emerging Artists receive composition mentorship and workshop a new piece for chamber ensemble, which is then performed in concert. They also have the opportunity to attend a variety of other professional development opportunities. Past mentors include Cristian Lolea (Warsaw - Poland), Joshua Fineberg (Boston University - USA), Dan Dediu (UNMB – Romania) and Philip Cashian (Royal Academy of Music London – UK). Read about current CMC Emerging Composer/Artist Laura Heneghan’s experience of the residency here.

New Music Dublin eXchange / NMDX is CMC’s international exchange programme embedded in the New Music Dublin festival, to which representatives of some of the most significant international contemporary music festivals, venues, programmers, promoters and broadcasters are invited. Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to attend informal networking and showcase events at NMDX, as well as attending concerts at the New Music Dublin festival. 

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply, you need to show:

  • That you were born on, or have been resident for 3 or more consecutive years, on the island of Ireland.

  • Demonstrate a proven commitment to composition and/or sound art as your  primary artistic practice through your  CV, list of works and personal statement 

Please note: 

  • CMC is not funded to support popular and rock music, especially of commercial importance, or folk and traditional music. These genres are the remit of other resource organisations supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.  

  • Artists already represented by CMC are not eligible for this Scheme. 

  • The Scheme is not suitable for emerging artists whose compositional skill is currently at undergraduate level equivalent or below. 

We particularly encourage and welcome artists from underrepresented groups to apply.

What do I need to show for the application?

We will collect the following information through the application form:

  • Your name, preferred pronouns, address, phone number and email address

  • Any website or social media information that you wish to share with us

  • Proof of citizenship or residency (e.g., copy of passport, or headed utility bills with dates to show 3 consecutive years’ residency)

You will be asked to provide:

  • A short biography (300 words)

  • Your CV 

  • A list of your compositions/sound art to date - do include all works that you are happy to include in your portfolio, even if they haven’t been performed yet

  • A personal statement that outlines your artistic approach/interests and experience. It should include details of how your practice will be developed through this Scheme and why you think this Scheme would be beneficial to you at this time. 300 words max.  

You will also be asked to upload FOUR samples of your work. The form allows for the upload of different types of media:

  • A video or audio recording for each sample of work is obligatory - MIDI is acceptable if the work has not yet been performed. 

  • If the composition was installation-based, we would appreciate a video of the work in place, if possible.

  • The score (PDF) and/or a graphic score, where applicable. Please upload a minimum of two scores.

  • Premiere information, if the work has been performed.

  • Any other media related to the work that you would like us to see, such as proof of commission, competition award, concert photos or programmes. Screen shots are accepted. 

  • File types accepted: PDF, doc/doc.x, WAV, MP3, MP4, MIDI. 

  • Please label all files with your name.

How do I apply? 

Please have your documents ready to upload in advance of starting the online application form.

Make your application for the CMC Emerging Artist scheme by completing this online form. 

Closing date

The closing date is 5pm Sunday, November 30th, 2025. Incomplete or ineligible applications are eliminated, with remaining applications advanced to panel review. 

How does the selection process work?

This review of all eligible applications received will happen in December 2025, with the public announcement of the new cohort of Emerging Artists to take place by the end of January 2026. 

The panel is made up of two representatives of the CMC staff and board, as well as two independent artist adjudicators whose main pratices are in the areas of comopsition and/or sound art. Gender balance will be taken into consideration when appointing the panel.  Canvassing will result in immediate disqualification.

Applications are evaluated by the following criteria:

  • Artistic merit of the application (40%): This will take into consideration the quality of the works submitted, your list of works to date and your personal statement. Please try to include as much information as possible on the works submitted as part of the application to address this criteria. 

  • Track record of applicant (30%): This aspect looks at all elements of the application which relate to your track record as an artist whose main areas of pratice are music composition and/or sound art. This includes commissions, public performances or broadcasts, training/education/mentorship received, professional recordings, composition competitions/awards received etc. 

  • Suitability of applicant for the Scheme (30%): This criteria looks at your potential to benefit from the Emerging Artist Scheme in terms of developing your artistic practice. It takes into account all aspects of the information provided on the application form. 

How long before I find out the results?

The results will be made known at the end of January 2026.

Contact information

The Scheme is run by the Contemporary Music Centre. The coordinator for the Scheme is Stephanie Ford (sford@cmc.ie). Please contact Stephanie with any queries in relation to the Scheme, or if you have any access requirements that we can assist with in relation to your application.

Artist Testimonials

The Emerging Artist programme at CMC was a great opportunity to connect with the composing community in Ireland and see the various opportunities available. I really enjoyed my co-commission with CMC & Sing Ireland for Irish Youth Train Choir and the ability to include electronics as part of my work! Another highlight was traveling to Romania on a residency at ICON arts and composing a work for ConTempo Quartet. I received support and guidance on applications which helped me secure funding to develop my career as a composer and sound artist. Overall it gave me space to reflect, experiment, and refine my artistic direction with genuine support from the CMC team.

- Tadhg Kinsella, Emerging Artist Scheme 2024-25.

The CMC Emerging Composer Scheme is a fantastic opportunity! Over the course of two years, you have the chance to develop many aspects of your career as a composer. The programme offers valuable composition opportunities, mentorship, a residency in Romania, and the chance to collaborate with Sing Ireland. Beyond that, it provides a strong support system that is tailored to your individual needs.

The CMC team is incredibly supportive and generous with their advice, helping you navigate and grow your career as a composer. It was also wonderful to connect with the other selected composers — by the end of the scheme, many of them had become close friends!

- Caterina Schembri, Emerging Artist Scheme 2024-25.

The CMC Emerging Composer Scheme is the perfect programme for composers looking to take their careers to the next level. It allowed me to refine my application skills, connect with performers and composers from diverse backgrounds, and offered the opportunity to write exciting new works for accomplished, renowned musicians, with performances across Europe.

This experience has greatly boosted my confidence as a composer and pushed me to further develop my compositional skills in areas aligned with my personal artistic interests.

The programme offers invaluable resources — including mentorship, commissioning opportunities, application feedback, and more. A must for any composer looking to develop their craft and find their unique compositional voice.

- Santiago Kodela, Emerging Artist Scheme 2024-25.

The CMC Emerging Composer Scheme offers a supportive environment to grow as a composer. The team are incredibly kind and go the extra mile to offer guidance and encouragement, helping not only with current projects but also with future career planning. Through the scheme, I’ve met fellow composers, ensembles, arts administrators, and festival organisers, making connections that have expanded my network and opened new opportunities. The experiences I’ve had, such as taking part in development schemes and my first residency, have been invaluable as I continue to build my career as a composer.

- Laura Heneghan, Emerging Artist Scheme 2024-25.