Calling all creatives, dreamers, and storytellers — The Expansive Canvas Creative Palette Competition invites people of all ages and backgrounds to respond artistically to the remarkable lives and music of 19th-century women composers.
This global creative competition is part of The Expansive Canvas, an international initiative led by Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Participants are encouraged to explore the world of women composers, long excluded from the spotlight, and use that inspiration to create something entirely their own.
How to Take Part
Using the downloadable Creative Palette, participants can discover the stories and sounds of forgotten musical pioneers like Augusta Holmès, an Irish-descended composer who hid behind a male pseudonym in Paris, or Ina Boyle, a prolific Wicklow-born composer whose work was rarely performed in her lifetime.
From there, the competition invites you to respond in any creative medium:
Whether you're 3 or 103, a student, a professional artist, or a curious beginner, this is your chance to shine a light on hidden histories through your own creative lens.
Selected entries will be showcased:
This is your opportunity to have your work seen and heard by an international audience, including musicians, historians, educators, and arts professionals.
Key Dates
The deadline for receipt of creative responses is 31st July 2025. Submissions are now open via https://expansivecanvas.com/call-for-participation/creative-palette/
