The deadline for applications to the Beyond Borders programme has been extended by two weeks to Friday 10^th February. 

Beyond Borders is a UK-wide funding programme which encourages collaboration between commissioning organisations and music creators to generate new, imaginative works which will be performed to audiences across the UK. Funded by PRS Music Foundation, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Creative Scotland and Arts Council Wales, the scheme is now in its second year and supports the creation of high quality new music which is jointly commissioned by at least two (but preferably more) organisations based in different UK countries.

Beyond Borders is currently inviting applications for funding from music creators, performance groups and commissioning organisations working together on exciting new projects. 

The scheme has already initiated 15 fantastic collaborations across the UK, including:

• Award-winning Scottish folk trio Lau worked with Northern Irish composer Brian Irvine and the Northern Sinfonia to create ‘Strange Attractors’, commissioned by The Sage Gateshead, Belfast Festival and Celtic Connections
• Belfast DJ Phil Kieran collaborated with Swansea psyche-rockers White Noise Sound to create a collection of new songs, commissioned by Oh Yeah Music Centre (Belfast), Swansea Creative Hub and the Welsh Music Foundation.
• English composer Luke Bedford was commissioned by The Opera Group, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and The Tramway (Glasgow) to write ‘Seven Angels’,  described by The Daily Telegraph as “impeccably crafted”

Rosa Solinas, Head of Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented:  “Beyond Borders creates a unique opportunity to create new musical works by encouraging collaborations with, composers, organisations and musicians from locations across the UK. A number of Northern Ireland artists are already involved in the  scheme and I’ve no doubt that this year’s programme will see many more cross-border partnerships formed, bringing artists from a range of different backgrounds together to create truly inspired new works.”

The deadline for applications from Northern Ireland has been extended to Friday 10^th February. Interested music creators, performers and organisations can go to www.prsformusicfoundation.com/Partnerships/Flagship-Programmes/Beyond-Borders for more information about Beyond Borders, guidelines on eligibility and to apply.