Music Network and Ionad Cultúrtha wish to provide a significant development opportunity specifically for a professional musician who is autistic/a person with autism and who has a strong track record in music performance.
This opportunity recognises that many such musicians face barriers toward career progression that others may not. The main purpose of the residency is to provide time and space for a Musician-in-Residence to develop their practice intensively.
Through this opportunity, Music Network and Ionad Cultúrtha are seeking to make space for social change in the music sector in general and hope to learn from the Musician-in-Residence how they can better facilitate and include autistic people/people with autism in their own programmes and in the wider sector, both in performance and educational environments.
This opportunity follows the appointment of Patrick Stefan in 2024 as the first-ever Musician-in-Residence in a residency specifically for a professional musician who is autistic/a person with autism, a partnership between Music Network and St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre, Listowel. Speaking about the opportunity he said
“I hope that this residency can be seen as a success for future rollouts in other venues as I feel it has really helped me .... I come away from it feeling like I know myself a bit better and there's a softening of the edges around this stigma. I'm very happy that there is such a welcoming of understanding of how autism is now perceived in the arts.”
This year’s selected musician will receive a bursary of €8,000 and have access to a dedicated space during October and November 2025 to develop their creative practice and create new work and/or artistic collaborations. They will also engage with the wider community, working alongside an experienced facilitator to deliver a programme of inclusive music activities, and showcase their work live in concert at the end of the residency in November/December.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said:
“We are delighted to partner with Ionad Cultúrtha to offer this residency, only the second of its kind, which we see as a valuable opportunity not only to support an autistic musician but also to learn from them as they spend time at the venue as Musician-in-Residence.”
Artistic Director of Ionad Cultúrtha Liadh Ní Riada said
"We are looking forward to empowering artists who have unique challenges in developing their work. The Ionad Cultúrtha is delighted to afford artists the opportunity to create in our space and we hope that this is the start of recognising the need for more equality and inclusivity in the arts.”
Last year’s awardee Patrick Stefan will visit Baile Mhúirne to perform a special concert featuring the world premiere of a new Irish language commission he has written at Ionad Cultúrtha on 22 August to mark National Heritage Week.
Prior to that, an online information meeting for people potentially interested in applying for the Residency will take place on Thursday 14 August at 11 am.
Applications for the 2025 residency are now open and the deadline for applications is Monday 1st September at 2pm. Applications can be made online or by email. The online application form, guidelines and registration for the online information session are available now at www.MusicNetwork.ie or by contacting .
This programme is presented by Music Network in partnership with Ionad Cultúrtha, supported by the Arts Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Cork Education and Training Board.
About Music Network
Music Network is Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation. We make high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland and help musicians to develop fulfilling careers. Our vision is that of a culture which increasingly values live music in our everyday lives, embracing it as an essential part of a healthy, vibrant society. Everything we do stems from this vision: from our work in music education, to supporting musicians at varying stages of their development, to providing opportunities for performance and participation through our valued network of partners. Our work enriches many aspects of music-making across Ireland, bringing musicians and listeners together through the magic of live performance.
We are motivated by the desire to make live music available to everyone, regardless of location or circumstance, and to be equitable and inclusive in our approach. We advocate for, support, educate, and encourage people to find joy in music. We embrace innovation through research, exploration and experimentation, to continue to challenge current thinking. We believe that live music is central to people’s lives and wellbeing, and to the creation of a culturally rich society.
We deliver a broad range of programmes including a National Touring Programme, Musician Residencies both here and abroad, learning and participation projects, the Music Capital Funding Scheme, commissioning, training programmes and other professional development supports for musicians.
Find out more about Music Network
About Ionad Cultúrtha
The aim of Ionad Cultúrtha is to promote high quality arts in the Gaeltacht and to encourage public interest and participation in the arts.
Ionad Cultúrtha offers a challenging programme – including classes, workshops, concerts, contemporary dance performances and art exhibitions – which places this centre at the heart of artistic life in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. Ionad Cultúrtha has hosted concerts by many well-known musicians such as: Frankie Gavin, Jackie Daly, Sliabh Notes, Peadar O Riada, Iarla O Lionáird, Liam O Flynn, John Carty, Matt Molloy, John Spillane, Noel Hill, Tony Mc Mahon and Steve Cooney.