International music initiative Keychange is seeking applications from women and gender minority musicians and industry workers for a year-long programme starting in 2020. The programme, which was founded in 2017, provides participants with networking and performance opportunities as well as a bursary. As part of an international campaign, Keychange, in addition to supporting emerging music talent, works with festivals and organisations across Europe and Canada and encourages all music organisations to sign up to a 50:50 gender balance pledge by 2022.

There are seventy-four places available on the programme for those working in music in Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. 

Out of the seventy-four available positions, Keychange is seeking thirty-seven emerging musicians who write their own music and are ready to perform and network internationally. Mixed gender acts are also eligible to apply, with the woman or gender minority member taking part as the Keychange participant.  

The remaining thirty-seven positions are for those working in music who can display innovation in their practice and who demonstrate an interest in working with new business models. 

The successful candidates will take part in a meet-up in Stockholm in February 2020, perform or participate in one of the programme’s thirteen festival partners, and receive online mentoring over the twelve months.

Keychange works with festivals such as Iceland Airwaves, Ireland Music Week, Liverpool Sound City and Tallinn Music Week and participants such as UK soul singer Poppy Ajudha and Icelandic electro-pop artist Hildur. The current call for applications marks the launch of Keychange 2.0, the latest iteration of the programme, which now includes additional support and opportunities for the participants, including a database of all Keychange participants, a mentoring scheme, a Keychange conference and an expanded management team.

The deadline for applications is 31 October.

For more, visit https://keychange.eu/