IMRO sponsored programme launched to support innovative women and gender minorities in the music industry.

An open call from the IMRO sponsored, international initiative Keychange for 74 innovative women and gender minority artists has launched.

The talent development programme will run through 2020 and will take on 37 emerging artists driving innovation and 37 industry professionals who must be “pushing the boundaries of music industry practice, demonstrating an interest in new business models and innovative ways of working with growing professional track record.”

Keychange aims to enact change in music by advocating for festivals and music organisations to achieve a 50:50 gender balance by 2022.

Keychange launches open call to find 74 innovative women & gender minority artists & innovators to take part in year-long programme

>>> https://t.co/NaGO5tKbc7

Sponsored by IMRO. The Lead Festival Partner for Ireland is Ireland Music Week@IrlMusicWeek@KeychangeEUpic.twitter.com/NSdfl7wU8L

— IMRO (@IMROireland) October 14, 2019

Artists will have access to an invaluable training programme and also the chance to perform at one of the 13 festival partners, with Ireland Music Week being the partner festival in Ireland.

Angela Dorgan, Director of Ireland Music Week said, “As one of the first festivals to sign up to Keychange 3 years ago, we can already see the role events like ours have in proving that female and gender minority artists benefit from visibility. Bookers’ can’t ignore talent when it’s put in front of them, our job is to make sure the picture they get of the talent landscape is an equal one.”

Participants in the programme will engage in a meet-up of those involved in the programme in Stockholm in February 2020, will receive mentoring via SheSaidSo, will showcase or participate at one of the 13 festival partners, and avail of promotion via the Keychange database and be part of a bespoke training programme.

The deadline is 6pm GMT on Wednesday 30th October.

Click here for more info.