Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Musicians-in-Residence Scheme 2025 - Applications now open

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office and Music Network invite applications for the 2025 dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme. This is funded by The Arts Council.

Now in its 11th year, the Scheme provides musicians with space and time to create new work, develop their skills, collaborate with other artists and showcase their music. 

Successful artists will receive funding up to a maximum award of €12,000, a space to work in and advice and mentoring to support their career development. Audiences will also have an opportunity to engage with the resident musicians at a series of open rehearsals, workshops and public performances in Dún Laoghaire. 

Two residencies are available to musicians working in any genre of music, from rock to pop or classical, jazz or folk and everything in between.  One residency is specifically for emerging musicians, and one is for established musicians. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong connection to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, or propose a project that links with the area, for example taking inspiration from the location or by engaging with local communities or musicians. 

The Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Jim O’Leary said: 

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is delighted to offer this opportunity again in 2025 for musicians to focus on the creation of new music. We are committed to encouraging new work and allowing the arts to flourish and are very grateful to the Arts Council for funding this Scheme.”  

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: 

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is very pleased to continue our strong working relationship with Music Network to provide this important Scheme. This is an important collaboration with a national music resource organisation to support musicians.”

Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: 

“It’s a pleasure to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council once again on the management of this annual scheme. These residencies provide valuable time and resources for musicians to develop their artistic practice, advance their careers and produce exciting new work which we look forward to sharing with the residents of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown later this year.” 

The 2024 dlr Musicians-in-Residence were percussionist Brian Fleming, violinist Jane Hackett and keyboardist Luke Dunford. Speaking about her experience, Jane Hackett, recipient of the Established Artist award said: 

“This residency gave me an important opportunity to research and develop music experiences for and with Deaf people in the context of Dun Laoghaire’s soundscape. The beautiful building and its surroundings inspired the essence of the final work, giving way to undulating moments for the audience to interact with, and having the opportunity to work with mentors developed my understanding of creation within particular contexts. This was a wonderful residency in a wonderful place with wonderful people! I would highly recommend.”

Under this year’s scheme, the residency to support the work of an established musician or group has a maximum funding award of €12,000, and an award of up to €7,500 is available to support the work of an emerging musician or group. 

Anyone interested in making an application to the scheme can book a place for a site visit to dlr LexIcon Studio on Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 6pm by emailing arts@dlrcoco.ie. Members of the DLR Arts Office and Music Network will be available on the evening to answer any specific questions. 

An online information meeting for applicants will also take place on Thursday 6 February 2025 at 11am, registration for this event is via MusicNetwork.ie. 

This year’s residencies will run from May to November 2025. The closing date for applications is Friday 21 February at 2pm and more information about the residencies and how to apply is available on Music Network’s website. 

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Musicians-in-Residence Scheme is jointly funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Arts Council and is managed by Music Network.