Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join forces to launch the National Music Prize Network

New cross-nation alliance to support artists, share knowledge and celebrate musical excellence across the UK.

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, the Welsh Music Prize and the Northern Ireland (NI) Music Prize have come together to form the National Music Prize Network (NMPN), a new collaborative initiative that will champion musical talent, promote cultural exchange and strengthen the music sectors of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Launched in partnership by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), Welsh Music Prize and the Oh Yeah Music Centre, the NMPN has been established to strengthen ties between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s music communities through shared values and collective ambition.

By facilitating cultural exchange, the network will showcase the rich and diverse musical output of each nation, helping artists reach new audiences both domestically and internationally. It will provide a platform for mutual support and knowledge sharing, enabling each prize to grow, innovate and build resilience in a changing industry. Through collaboration, the NMPN will drive joint initiatives that amplify the impact of each award and support the long-term sustainability of the music sector across all three nations. 

Each prize brings significant legacy and impact to the network. Established in 2012, The SAY Award is Scotland’s national music prize; celebrating Scottish music, and the cultural impact and contribution of outstanding Scottish albums. Produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), it has now distributed over £390,000 in prize money to Scottish artists since its inception. The Welsh Music Prize marks its 15th anniversary in 2025 – a significant milestone for an award that continues to make a real and lasting impact on the careers of Welsh artists. Each year, it celebrates outstanding albums by artists from Wales, while also spotlighting new Welsh talent and those whose work has left a lasting legacy on the Welsh and international music scenes. Established in 2013, the NI Music Prize is an annual award aimed at recognising the great wealth of music from Northern Ireland. The prize includes a trophy and a monetary prize of £3000, supported by PPL for Album of The Year. 

Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “The SAY Award exists to celebrate, promote and reward the strength and diversity of Scotland’s recorded output; recognising outstanding albums that shape our culture, connect us and tell our stories. As organisers of Scotland’s national music prize, the SMIA is proud to now take that vision a step further through the launch of the National Music Prize Network, in partnership with the Welsh Music Prize and the NI Music Prize.

Having worked together informally for a number of years, we’re delighted to now formalise that relationship with a shared focus on innovation, cultural exchange and long-term sector development. I’ve long admired both the NI Music Prize and the Welsh Music Prize, and together we’re committed to ensuring that artists from our respective nations receive the recognition they deserve.

Running a national music prize like The SAY Award is a huge responsibility, and something I feel incredibly fortunate to do. In an industry increasingly driven by algorithms and metrics, culturally-led prizes are vital in ensuring that records are not just seen as commercial products, but as artistic works that shape who we are and who we can become.

Through collaboration, shared learning and collective ambition, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the NMPN develops, and I’m excited about the potential it has to open up new pathways for artists, deepen audience engagement and create meaningful opportunities across borders.”

Kev Tame, Event Producer of the Welsh Music Prize, said:  “The Welsh Music Prize is privileged and proud to celebrate and promote artists and music from Wales each year, as part of our country’s vibrant and ever-evolving bi-lingual music scene. We’re especially excited to mark the 15th anniversary of the Prize in 2025 - a major milestone for an award that continues to have a real and lasting impact on Welsh artists’ music careers.

Personally, I take great pride in helping to run such a prestigious and meaningful event. At a time when the musical landscape is shifting rapidly, the Welsh Music Prize provides crucial support - not just for our most established talent, but for the next generation of Welsh musicians as well.

The SAY Award and NI Music Prize teams have offered invaluable support to us over the years, so we’re delighted to now formalise that relationship through the National Music Prize Network. Collaborating with our friends in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a powerful opportunity to share ideas, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen our music sectors together.

Working as part of this network will open up new creative opportunities - from cross-border collaboration to long-term cultural exchange - and we’re proud to be part of this exciting new chapter.”

Charlotte Dryden, Chief Executive of the Oh Yeah Centre, said: “The NI Music Prize has always sought to spotlight the incredible depth of talent emerging from Northern Ireland, and we're proud to now join forces with our counterparts in Scotland and Wales to launch the National Music Prize Network. This partnership is about more than just awards – it's about connection, collaboration and creating stronger pathways for artists across our three nations. By working together, we can elevate our shared values, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a more resilient and inclusive music sector for the future. The power of music to cross borders and bring communities together has never been more important, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve through this new alliance.”

The NMPN will serve as a collaborative platform that enhances the collective impact of each participating prize while preserving their distinct identities. By pooling resources and expertise, the network will support more efficient and effective operations, enabling shared initiatives that benefit artists and audiences alike. It will promote cultural exchange by spotlighting diverse musical voices across the three nations, while also increasing the visibility and international profile of each prize. 

The NMPN will be governed by a Steering Committee, with one representative from each founding prize responsible for setting the network’s strategic direction and overseeing its activities. The committee will meet quarterly, with core activities set to include joint promotional campaigns, collaborative events and networking opportunities; all aimed at amplifying the voice and visibility of artists recognised through the respective prizes.

Whilst comprising the three founding members in the first instance, the network also lays the groundwork for future expansion, with the potential for additional national music prizes from across the world to join over time.

Learn more about the National Music Prize Network at nationalmusicprizenetwork.com