Fire Station Artists’ Studios and Arts & Disability Ireland 2016 Mentoring Programme

Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios are pleased to announce our 2016 Mentoring Programme for visual artists with disabilities.

Call for applications for 2016. Closing date for applications: Thursday 3rd December 2015.

Since the programmes initiation in 2014, 5 visual artists with disabilities have been mentored by a panel of visual arts professionals including; established visual artists, curators, gallery directors and studio providers.

Over the past two years Suzanne Walsh was mentored by Karl Burke (Visual artist), Sean Hillen was mentored by Patrick Murphy (Director RHA), Emma Donaldson was mentored by Rayne Booth (Programme Curator TBG&S), Liz Smith was mentored by Catherine Barragry (Visual artist) and Paul Moore was mentored by Padraic Moore (Curator).

Two visual artists with disabilities will be selected to take part in the 2016 Mentoring Programme. The successful applicants will be paired with mentors from our panel. Mentoring will take place between March and September 2016.

Our Mentoring Programme offers a unique professional development opportunity for visual artists with disabilities.It gives artists the opportunity to observe and formally review aspects of their own practice.

What does the 2016 Mentoring Programme entail?

· Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios will identify and secure suitable mentors for the successful applicants.

· A budget of €500 will be awarded towards expenses of the selected mentee. This can include travel, materials etc.

· A minimum of 6 meetings between March and September 2016 are required. These meetings will be scheduled between the mentee and mentor in advance. 4 out of these 6 meetings must be face to face.

· One day studio space at Fire Station Artists’ Studios will be awarded to one of the successful 2016 Mentoring Programme applicants for a limited time between 1 and 6 months. This is subject to requirements and availability.

· Documentation of the mentoring process must be presented at a final meeting with ADI and FSAS for evaluation.

· Visual artists with disabilities who are living and working in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply.Please note that you will need to be flexible to travel and meet with your assigned mentor.

· Further information on what mentoring entails titled Mentoring Programme Guidelines can be downloaded by clicking here.

To apply please send:

· A letter of interest:

Explain why you think you would benefit from this Mentoring Programme and identify a facet of your practice you would like feedback from your mentor on. (.doc, max 400 words)

· CV (.doc, max 2 pages)

· Supporting documentation: examples of previous work. (Max 10 images/works of up to 1 GB in the following formats: .jpg, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, .pdf, .doc.)

· List of enclosed supporting documentation including the title, year, context and materials etc. (.doc).

· Please outline any access requirements you may have in relation to this programme. (.doc)

Please use WeTransfer to send us all of your application files.

1. Go to www.wetransfer.com.

2. Add the files you wish to send.

3. Enter recipient email address: artadmin@firestation.ie

4. Enter your own email address.

5. Add a message:

‘Mentoring Programme application (insert your name)’

6. Click Transfer.

You will receive a confirmation email from WeTransfer stating that the files have been sent and a subsequent confirmation email when the files are downloaded by Fire Station Artists Studios.

If you require further information or advice or support to complete your application please contact or Liz Burns (liz@firestation.ie/ 01 806 9012) or Amie Lawless (amie@adiarts.ie/ 01 850 9006)