Bursary Programme 2025–26
Our third programme began in June 2025 with Aderayo and Gem Kinley. Supported by the Music Space team, both artists fully embraced the nine months and achieved huge amounts both in a creative and professional capacity.
Gem’s focus was to explore the voice, and experiment with singing and spoken word in new and different ways. She also wanted to develop her technical skills in music production, equipment and performance, including how to create beats, manipulation and distortion of sound.
During the bursary Gem received a range of mentoring from different artists and musicians, including Harry Jospehine Giles, Elaine Mitchener, Lucy Duncombe, Susan Bear, Cariss Crosbie and Maggie Nicols. Gem received monthly mentoring sessions with artist and organiser Han which focused on everything from exploring new artists, networks and scenes in Glasgow, to the practicalities of being self-employed as an artist.
A poem written by Gem was included in the zine Counterflows on Paper, edited by Helen Charman and Joel White as part of this year’s Counterflows festival.
As part of the bursary programme Aderayo was keen to explore a performance style where live vocals, experimental sound, and intuitive movement intersect. Her focus was also to build a sustainable practice that integrates all aspects of her artistry and lay the groundwork for future larger-scale performances and recordings. Aderayo met with various artists and musicians for mentor sessions during the nine-months including Mele Broomes, Alliyah Enyo, Maungo, Spike Turner, Pearling, Cariss Crosbie and Sof. Both artists found practical mentoring particularly useful, which included learning to how to use equipment and building on knowledge of Ableton.
During the bursary Aderayo travelled to Manchester to join a workshop exploring movement and activated sound, and also visited London for a networking event. Both artists spent a week at Cove Park which gave them time and space to explore their work and reflect on progress.
Aderayo is working on a new film and visual EP ‘Of Human Nature’, and is moving on to work with Soundplay Projects, as well as beginning a course at Glasgow University in September. Gem will continue her work as a mentor for Girls Rock and is developing a project called GRiM – ‘a community of artists debuting a club night to explore, celebrate archive and chat shit about what Northern Femininity means to us’. We are looking forward to seeing how they both progress, be sure to follow their work!