A new pathway for Northumberland’s young artists
Port Hope, ON — SONG and Cultivate Festival are proud to launch Growing Stages, a new youth artist development opportunity designed to help young Northumberland musicians take the next step toward a professional festival stage.
For the 2026 pilot, one artist or group will be selected as the Growing Stages Featured Artist and will perform a 30-minute set on Sunday afternoon during Cultivate Festival weekend, September 25–27, 2026.
The selected artist will receive:
- A 30-minute performance opportunity at Cultivate Festival.
- Inclusion in SONG and Cultivate promotional materials.
- Professional photo and video content from the Cultivate Festival media team.
- Support preparing for a professional festival-stage experience.
- …and more announcements are in the works!
Growing Stages is built on a simple idea: young artists should be able to see a future for themselves here in Northumberland.
By connecting SONG’s youth music and performance pathways with Cultivate’s established festival platform, this partnership helps young people move from community stages to professional ones while strengthening the region’s cultural life.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should be:
- Ages 13–18.
- Based in Northumberland County.
- Available during Cultivate Festival weekend, Sept 25-27, 2026.
- Able to perform a 30-minute family-friendly set.
- Able to submit a short artist profile, promotional photo, and performance video.
- Able to show prior live performance experience.
Original music is encouraged but not required.
Apply Now
Applications are open now. Questions? Contact info@songprogram.org.