Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland announce the awarded artists of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme 2020

Arts and Disability Connect is a scheme designed to support artists with disabilities to make new and ambitious work.

2020 marks the 7th year of this Arts Council scheme managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. €39,350, an increase of €10,000, has been awarded to 14 artists through New Work, Mentoring and Training awards.

“When public health advice relating to Covid-19 led to the near closure of the country, except for essential services, we were delighted to proceed with the panel meeting by video conference. During the coming year these 14 successful artists will be able to move forward in their careers. With the support of this scheme they are on an ambitious and innovative journey.” Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland.

Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce the 14 successful artists.

New Work awards give artists the resources and time to develop new and ambitious work. Artists work with an arts partner to support them to get this new work seen by audiences. This year 3 artists received New Work awards.

Emilie Conway is a musician and performer based in Dublin. In partnership with the Improvised Music Company (IMC) and with the support of Darn Skippy Productions and Dublin City Council Culture Company, Emilie will develop, compose, write and perform a new jazz and theatre performance based on her experiences as an artist with a visual impairment.

John Kelly is a Wicklow based filmmaker and founder of Clap ‘n Load Studios. In partnership with The Whale Theatre John will develop and produce a science fiction short film. This short film will be screened at The Whale Theatre towards the end of March 2021.

Vukašin Nedeljković is a visual artist based in Dublin. In partnership with the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) and with the support of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI), Vukašin will develop a new body of photography documenting Emergency Accommodation Centres in Ireland. This new work will be exhibited in the RHA Ashford Gallery in early 2021.

Mentoring awards give artists the resources to develop a mentoring relationship with a more established arts professional. Over 6 months, artists work on an element of their practice with their mentor. This year, 6 artists received Mentoring awards.

Ailbhe Barrett is a Cork based visual artist and Crawford Supported Studio member who will work with visual artist Kevin Mooney while she works towards including animation in her practice.

David Joyce, a playwright from Galway will work with dramaturg Pamela McQueen while he develops a new script.

Karen Breen is a Galway musician and member of Electric Dreams who will work with composer and musician Anna Mullarkey while she begins to create her own compositions.

Mairéad Folan, the Galway based Artistic Director of NoRopes Theatre Company will work with theatre maker Little John Nee while she develops a new script.

Martin Sharry, a theatre maker and writer based in Dublin will work with writer Jessica Traynor as he transitions from theatre to poetry and develops new work towards publishing his first poetry collection.

Suzanne Walsh, a writer, visual artist and musician based in Dublin will work with writer Christodoulos Makris while she focuses on her poetry practice and explores publication possibilities.

Training awards give artists the resources to learn skills through courses, workshops and masterclasses facilitated by arts organisations, artists and arts professionals. This year 5 artists received Training awards.

Áine O’Hara is a Dublin based theatre designer. To support Áine to transition from working in theatre to film she will attend Annie Atkins’ two-day workshop on Graphic Design for Filmmaking.

Ayelet Lalor, a visual artist based in Dublin will avail of the Open Access programme at Graphic Studio Dublin to develop and improve her printmaking skills.

Cecilia Bullo, a Dublin based visual artist, will attend Fire Station Artists’ Studios two-day Welding Fabrication workshop delivered by Mick O’Hara.

Conor Rennick, a writer based in Dublin will work with writer Yvonne Cullen through bespoke one-on-one writers’ training as he completes a first draft of a new novel.

Mary Crossin is a harp player based in Co Donegal who will attend a weeklong harp workshop delivered by Irish harp performer, composer and teacher Dr Janet Harbison.

For more information about the Arts and Disability Connect scheme click here