Apply Now! Support to participate in Vaka Folk Arts Festival, Iceland

a creative momentum project is helping to connect people in the creative and cultural industries sector across Europe’s Northern Edge. Participating in creative and cultural events in other partner regions is a great way to connect with new audiences and potential collaborators.

So far a creative momentum project has supported 18 creatives from Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Iceland to participate in two events:

• Urkult folk festival, August 2016, Sweden
• Digital DNA, September 2016, Northern Ireland

Now we’re looking for applications from Northern Finland, Mid-Sweden and the West of Ireland to participate in the Vaka Folk Arts Festival in Akureyri, Iceland.   The Festival takes place 23-27 May 2017 (including travel, applicants would need to be available 22-28 May).

If you are a:

1. Folk/Traditional musician
2. Manager/organiser of a music or traditional arts festival
3. Researcher with a focus on folk music

This could be a great opportunity to participate in this intimate folk music festival in northern Iceland.

Vaka Folk Arts Festival

The annual Vaka Folk Arts Festival  presents a singular opportunity to enjoy the very best folk musicians, dancers and craftworkers, rooted in the traditional folk arts of Iceland, along with performers from the Nordic and the other countries of northern Europe.  It is held in the vibrant small town of Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland.

This small and friendly festival has a varied programme including:

• Concerts and dance displays, where you can listen to the ancient Icelandic rímur ballads and the old traditional instruments, langspil and fiðla, alongside performances carrying the old traditions into the future.
• Morning and afternoon singing and instrumental workshops for all ages and abilities.
• Informal song and tune sessions and social dancing.
• Exhibitions and workshops in traditional arts and crafts.

Events take place in intimate local settings with lots of opportunities to meet and chat with all the artists.

Seminar

During the Festival, on Thursday 25 May, a Seminar on the topic ‘Folk Art Festivals’ will be held. Some of the themes discussed will be:

• The role of folk art festivals for the culture of countries
  • The purpose of folk art festivals
  • Why folk art?
  • Structure and organization
  • Choosing participants
• Marketing/ design/ target groups
• Funding, sponsor programmes, grants, crowd funding

Details of support

Participants to be supported by a creative momentum project will be selected through an open, competitive call for applications.  The following costs will be covered:

1. Economy return airfare and land transport;
2. Accommodation costs;
3. Festival pass;
4. One group meal.

How the selected applicants‘ will participate in the Festival will depend on their areas of expertise but could include:

1. Performing one concert (20-40 min)
2. Participating in a discussion/performance event
3. Giving one 2 hour workshop to young music students together with another artist
4. Leading or participating in lunchtime jam sessions
5. Making a presentation during the Seminar
6. Meeting and engaging with the Festival organisers

Lecturers, musicians and instructors would be paid around €300 by the organisers of the Festival.

Apply Now

To apply for support, complete the online application form here

Applicants must also be registered members of the recently launched beta version of the re-developed MyCreativeEdge.eu website.  Register here

To prepare answers in advance, a Word version of the application form can be downloaded on the right side of this page

Deadline for applications is midnight Sunday, 20 November, 2016

a creative momentum project is a three-year, transnational project co-funded by the EU Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme. It supports the development of the creative industries sector in regions across Europe’s Northern Edge. The project is being implemented in five regions – Mid-Sweden, Northern Finland, South East of Northern Ireland, West of Ireland and North East Iceland. There are six organisations implementing the project.