CQAF Music Bursary 2027
THE 2026/2027 MUSIC BURSARY OPEN CALL WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026
The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Music Bursary is hosted in partnership with Belfast City Council and the Music Matters strategy, to support the composition and/or recording of a new piece of music by a Northern Ireland-based artist. It is open to an established or emerging musician or band.
20 Bursaries of £1,000 each are available.
To apply for the 2027 Creative Bursary, please send one email only containing all required materials. This helps us keep your application together and ensures it’s reviewed properly.
Your email must include:
- ONE PDF that includes the following:
- Overview of your creative practice (Tell us about your work, interests, and current projects).
- Budget outline and description – you must provide a full budget breakdown for £1000
Examples of your work
– You may attach audio files (MP3 preferred)
– or include web links to online portfolios, sound files, or videos.
Budget and project description
(Outline how you would use the bursary funding.) We wish to invest £1,000 into the composition and recording costs of your music. This could include an element of recording (eg. studio hire, engineering, mixing, mastering, session musician fees) and can also include campaign support / asset creation (video, photography, artwork design, manufacture and distribution costs, PR, marketing merchandise etc).
____________
Please send all of the above in a single email to cqartsfestival@gmail.com with the subject line: 2027 Creative Bursary Application – [Your Name]
Incomplete or multiple-email submissions may not be considered.
Please note that applications will be judged by 20 November 2026.
Notifications by Friday 26 November 2026.
