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Kildare County Council Announces Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Artist practice Bursary Award

 17^th January 2025: Kildare County Council Arts Service has announced Loah as the recipient of their new EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Artist Practice Bursary Award.

Loah, real name Sallay-Matu Garnett, is a singer songwriter of Irish and Sierra Leonean descent. She is currently working on her debut album, which is set to be released in early 2025.

The EDI Bursary Award, supported by The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon, provides an artist from an underrepresented background with a grant of €5000.  This award aims to give the recipient the opportunity to focus on developing their professional practice, or to work on a specific artistic project.

Throughout her career, Loah has released three Eps, showcasing a unique voice and fusion sound derived from her incredibly expansive influences, a sound which she calls “ArtSoul”.  The scope of her influence pool and the modernity of her character as an artist shines through her work, be it her transcendental debut EP ‘This Heart’, her 2020 sophomore EP ‘Sweet Sorrow’ with Bantum, or her 2021 release ‘I Will Rise Up’ - a collection of 1920’s poetry set to music, recently pressed to vinyl. Her work reflects her undeniable musicality and her upbringing in both Kildare and West Africa.

Speaking of her plans for the €5000 award, Loah stated, “Through this award I hope to achieve some real leaps and bounds in my practice as a guitarist and composer, working with world-renowned virtuoso and mentor Niwel Tsumbu. Through his guidance I hope to continue developing a unique and personal playing style, a fusion of Western and African styles of guitar playing, composing instrumental pieces that reflect this style in the process, improving in skill and striving for excellence.” 

Following the announcement Eláine Donnelly acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council  said “We are delighted to announce Sallay Matu Garnett as the recipient of this inaugural EDI Artist Practice Bursary. This award is the first of its kind for the county and we were very impressed with the level of interest expressed and the breadth and quality of applications received. This Artist Practice Bursary Award will provide an opportunity for Sallay to focus on the development of her professional practice and will contribute to the great tradition of Irish balladeers through a unique fusion of Irish folk and West African blues.”