Speakers: Laura Watson and Michael Lydon   

Respondents: Roisin Maher and Aileen Dillane

This seminar outlines an ongoing research project investigating the gender balance of publicly funded composer opportunities on the island of Ireland from 2004-2019. The Research Project is being conducted over two phases by the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland (CMC) and Sounding the Feminists (STF) in partnership. Upon a successful completion of Phase One, the project’s Research Associate Dr Michael Lydon began Phase Two in December 2021. Phase Two of this project is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, through CMC Strategic Funding.   

The completion of Phase One was achieved by Dr Ciara Murphy, resulting in ‘Scoping the Project Report’. This detailed report considers the feasibility of the project, while also establishing an authoritative list of funding and commissioning organisations that offer specific composer funded opportunities, while determining the availability of relevant records for the project. 

Phase Two is scheduled for completion in September 2022, at which point a detailed report will reveal the gender balance of composer funded opportunities on the island of Ireland.   

The seminar begins by establishing the impetus behind the project, while offering a brief insight into Sounding the Feminists. Next, it considers the finding from Phase One, before focusing on Phase Two. Specially, this entails outlining the methodology, the progress of the project, while also considering any initially challenges. Ultimately, the seminar presents preliminary findings from this necessary investigation into the gender balance of publicly funded composer opportunities on the island of Ireland from 2004-2019.   

Contemporary Music Centre (https://www.cmc.ie/)   

Sounding the Feminists (https://www.soundingthefeminists.com/)  

 Part of the Irish Studies Seminar Series