Looking back at 2025
15 Dec 2025
NAVIGATOR Residencies 2026 Expression of Interest Call-Out
IMC’s NAVIGATOR Jazz Residency offers jazz and improvising musicians professionally remunerated time and space to develop their practice, while building creative and professional relationships in new locations through local engagement and performance opportunities.
IMC are now accepting expressions of interest from Irish-based jazz and improvising musicians for the 2026 NAVIGATOR residency programme.
NAVIGATOR was established by IMC in 2021, and since then twenty-seven musicians have enjoyed bespoke residencies across Ireland through venue partners Ballina Arts Centre, The Source Arts Centre (Thurles), An Grianán Theatre (Letterkenny), The Courthouse Arts Centre (Tinahely, Co. Wicklow), Garter Lane Arts Centre (Waterford), Riverbank Arts Centre (Newbridge), and Crescent Arts Centre (Belfast). A new venue partner for 2026 will be Triskel Arts Centre in Cork.
The 2026 residencies will each be 8 days in length. There is an artist fee of €250 per day. Accommodation and transport for the artist are also covered.
While the priority of the residency programme is to allow musicians time and space to focus on their own work, some level of local creative engagement and/or performance will be required as part of each residency. This is intended to support meaningful connections with the host venue, local artists, and the wider community. Engagement can take many forms, including (but not limited to) workshops with local amateur or professional groups, performances, informal sharings, installations, conversations, or collaborations with local musicians, artists, historians, writers, or other cultural practitioners.
Navigator has also developed parent-friendly residencies at The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, and An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny. Parent-friendly residencies typically include accommodation suitable for partners and/or children, in order to support artists who need to manage their work as parents alongside their work as artists. Additional supports can be discussed depending on the nature of the residency.
Further details and examples of previous residencies at each venue are available below. If you require additional information, please contact admin@improvisedmusic.ie.
The NAVIGATOR residency programme is part of IMC’s commitment to developing the national scene for jazz and improvised music, improving potential touring mobility, developing audiences nationwide, and creating new opportunities and meaningful relationships for musicians.
The deadline for applying to Navigator 2026 is midnight on the 31st January 2026.
