FOCUS Wales 2026
Deadline: Saturday 1 November
2026 will mark FOCUS Wales International Showcase Festival’s 16th edition and will welcome over 25,000 people to Wrexham.
Taking place over 7-9 May 2026, 250+ artists will showcase, using 20 stages, and hosting a full schedule of industry panels, networking events, and film screenings, with over 400 industry professionals throughout the festival.
Showcase Scotland Expo are delighted to have partnership with Focus Wales and will be hosting a special Scottish showcase at the conference. Three artists will be selected to perform and will also have a second performance as part of the wider showcase.
Apply here
Funding & Partnerships for Gaelic Artists
Deadline: Tuesday 28 October
A programme set up by Creative Scotland and Social Enterprise Academy to support artists and those working in arts organisations or Gaelic-speaking communities across Scotland to help make their work more sustainable. More information here.
Session 1
Wednesday 29 October – 10:00 – 16:00
Session 2
Thursday 30 October – 10:00 – 16:00
Sign up
Folk Album of the Year 2025
Deadline: Friday 31 October
Last month, Sound Roots launched their Folk Album of the Year Award to celebrate the most artistically acclaimed album releases in Britain and Ireland.
This award will be judged by a distinguished jury of media influencers, so it is worth all artists applying. Jury members include Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2), Jude Rodgers (The Guardian) and Anna Massie (BBC Scotland/Musician). Learn more about the jury here.
Apply here
The Visit 2026
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September
Produced by Showcase Scotland Expo, The Visit will take place from 24-27 August 2026 in Stirling, Edinburgh and Peebles. This edition is designed to assist export ready artists looking to develop their careers in Australia and New Zealand. Festivals,venues and agents and promoters from these markets will join us in Scotland to watch showcase performances by 21 artists.
Previous editions of this event have been hugely successful, resulting in significant agency deals being secured for artists and subsequent career building in multiple international territories.
Further information, criteria and guidance notes can be found in the application form.
The application deadline is next Tuesday 30th September at 23.59.
Team News
We are thrilled to welcome Hector Shaw to the team as our new Communications Manager.
Hector brings his expertise in areas such as social media, e-newsletters and website maintenance at a crucial point in the year for Showcase Scotland Expo. His time with Edinburgh Council’s cultural venues, specifically the Usher Hall and Assembly Rooms, make him the perfect addition to the team. He is also an indie-folk musician and performed at our 2023 edition of The Visit in Peebles.
We’re also delighted to be setting up a new SSE website. This will be designed with the goal of enhancing your experience with us online. More information to follow on this in the coming months.