Apply to perform in New Orleans and the Netherlands in 2026, or for funding to tour in the Nordic states. Photo: Shutterstock.
Folk Alliance International, a leading non-profit for the global folk music community, has opened official showcase applications for its 2026 conference, set for January 21–25 in New Orleans. Chosen showcase artists will perform on the conference's largest stages, to crowds of agents, DJs, promoters, labels, venues, organisations, and more. These jury-selected, tour-ready musicians will represent diverse cultures, languages, and sound.
Find out more about key deadlines, eligibility, how to apply and more. The application deadline is 6 June 2025.
Applications are now also open for Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS). The festival, known for showcasing emerging European talent, will take place in Groningen, Netherlands, from January 14–17, 2026. Each year ESNS attracts over 4,000 music professionals, including representatives of 400+ international festivals. All European artists, signed or unsigned and regardless of genre can apply.
Find out more about performing at ESNS. Applications for artists to play at the event are open until 1 September 2025.
Nordic States, UK, and Ireland funding opportunity
If you are interested in working in the Nordic states, a new pilot programme to support mobility and exchange across the Nordic region, UK and Ireland, is opening in August 2025.
The ’Northern European Mobility Opportunity (NEMO) Call’ will support artistic exchange and collaboration for practitioners across the Nordic region (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Åland Islands), the UK and Ireland. The Call is jointly funded by the six funding agencies, including the UK’s Arts Councils, and will be administered by the Nordic Culture Fund.
The programme aims to foster international collaboration, develop artistic networks across the region and encourage more arts practitioners to work confidently with international partners.
The programme will open for applications on 18 August 2025, with a deadline for submissions of 15 September 2025. Full guidance and application information will be available on the Nordic Culture Fund’s website in June 2025.