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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland announce the awarded artists for Opportunity One of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme 2023.

The Arts and Disability Connect scheme is designed to support artists with disabilities to be ambitious, to develop their practice and to connect with arts organisations and arts professionals in Ireland.

The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce that €37,000 has been awarded to 13 artists through Mentoring awards and Training awards as part of Opportunity One in 2023

“Since its inception in 2014, the Arts and Disability Connect funding scheme has awarded 157 artists a total of €517,436. Now in its 10th year, artists continue to use the scheme to develop and push the boundaries of their professional arts practice, bringing their unique voice to Irish cultural life”
-Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland.

Mentoring Award
Mentoring awards give artists the resources to develop a mentoring relationship with a more established arts professional. Artists work on an element of their practice with their mentor. In Opportunity One, 12 artists received Mentoring awards.

Aishling Muller is a photographer and performance artist based in Co. Westmeath. She will work with mentor Laurie Legrand from the Laboratory of Living Arts and The Learning Garden School to develop a hand crafted photography book.

Aisling Walsh is a writer based in Co. Clare. She will work with her mentor Gavin McCrea who will give her critical feedback on her work ‘True Lavender’ a work of queer historical fiction. For the mentorship Aisling will focus on the transition from short story writing to a longer form novel.

Amy Q Redmond is a playwright based in Dublin. Amy will develop her play ‘The Midas Touch’ with dramaturg Jessica Traynor who will offer structured time and ongoing critique. Through this process Amy hopes to have a draft ready for submission to new work departments in various production companies.

Anna Duffy is a Dublin based visual artist. She will develop her skills in encaustic painting with her mentor Isabelle Gaborit. Anna will do a series of sessions where she will work with Isabelle on various themes and techniques to expand her capabilities.

Helen O’Flynn is a writer based in Cork. She will work with author Kevin Doyle who will give her feedback in relation to scene structure, dialogue, setting, narrative arcs and character flaws in the novel she’s currently developing, entitled ‘Laherdane’.

Jane Hackett is a musician based in Co. Dublin who wants to further explore sound production, theory and online processes in relation to violin playing and her own compositions. She will develop these skills over mentoring sessions with sound technician Adrian Hart.

Jan Michelle Mahon is a visual artist based in Co. Kilkenny. Jan will work with her mentor Etaoin Holahan to develop her portrait painting and explore future exhibition possibilities including research through museum and gallery visits.

Jennifer Cunningham is a visual artist based in Galway. They will work with their mentor Eilís Murphy to explore and test out ideas for creating a hand-made artist book. Through this process Jennifer will develop skills in book binding, printing, paper engineering and other techniques.

Jill Kenny is a writer based in Co. Offaly. She will work with her mentor Joanna Walsh to develop her auto fiction work ‘Animal’. Joanna will work with Jill on developing her manuscript, focusing on structure, chapter layout and editing.

Karolina Grudniewska is a Dublin based visual artist, ceramicist, and illustrator. She will work with Lisa Marie Griffith, a researcher and writer, to develop an outline for a book combining photography, word, and illustration that will tell the story of the Irish ceramic scene from the point of view of a studio dog named Leeloo.

Orla Casey is a virtual reality (VR) artist based in Co. Sligo. With her mentor Daniel Staine from Algorithm Productions, Orla will further develop her knowledge of VR art techniques and concepts to expand her skills in interactive art. This mentorship will also provide an opportunity for feedback on her current VR art.

Rose Servitova is a writer based in Co. Limerick. She will develop ‘Their Silent Course’, her Irish historical fiction novel with author Niamh Boyce who will give guidance and feedback on the pacing and narrative devices.

Training Award
Training awards give artists the resources to learn skills through courses, workshops and masterclasses facilitated by arts organisations, artists and arts professionals. In Opportunity One, one artists received a Training award.

Anthony Cullen is a Dublin based visual artist. He will do a screen-printing course at Damn Fine Print in Dublin. From this course he will develop the skills to print a comic book format.

Congratulations to all of the awarded artists!

For more information about the Arts and Disability Connect scheme see www.adiarts.ie/connect

Image: Interspace, (2021), augmented reality collage, created as part of a project with Western Care, Co. Mayo. Image courtesy of the artist Orla Casey

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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to have opened applications for the Arts and Disability Connect awards scheme Opportunity Two 2023.

Opportunity Two, offering New Work and Research and Reflection awards, opens on Monday 14 August, with a deadline of Tuesday 10 October at 4pm.

There are four different strands within the scheme: Mentoring, Training, New Work, and Research and Reflection (previously known as Research and Development).

In 2023, these four strands are split across two opportunities:

The first opportunity, which closed in early June, included Mentoring and Training awards.

This second opportunity includes New Work or Research and Reflection awards (previously known as Research and Development).

The Arts and Disability Connect scheme is designed to support individual artists with disabilities to be ambitious, to develop their practice and to connect with arts organisations and arts professionals in Ireland.

Application forms, guidelines, easy read information and FAQs for Opportunity Two can be downloaded here.

ADC Come Ask Questions session
Join the ADI team and ask any questions you have about making an application to the Arts and Disability Connect scheme. This will be held on Tuesday 19 September at 12-1pm via Zoom. Irish Sign Language interpreters will be provided by Bridge Interpreting and speech to text will be provided by MyClearText. Click here to register for the Come Ask Questions session.

Applicant support
Artists and people supporting them to apply can book in applicant support up until Thursday 5 October. This is for up to one hour of support either on the phone, Zoom or by email. Click here to book applicant support.

The Arts and Disability Connect scheme is funded by The Arts Council and managed by Arts & Disability Ireland.

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Waterford Healing Arts issues Open Call for Artists, Musicians, Writers and Dancers

Waterford Healing Arts has issued an Open Call to artists of all art forms, including visual artists, musicians, writers and dance artists, to apply to join its Artist Panel. Artists will be engaged to deliver key Waterford Healing Arts programmes at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings in Waterford. Further information, including an application form, are available from Waterford Healing Arts wha@hse.ie 051 842664 or www.waterfordhealingarts.com

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 28 July at 12 noon.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview / audition, as appropriate.

Waterford Healing Arts (WHA) is Ireland’s leading arts and health programme, providing opportunities for patients, family members and staff to engage in high quality arts experiences at UHW and other healthcare settings. The role of the artist is to deliver inspiring and uplifting arts experiences which are responsive to the needs of patients/ health service users, family members and healthcare staff.

Artists selected for the WHA Artist Panel will be engaged on a freelance basis for a period of two years to deliver key programmes, including, but not limited to:
– Arts Programme in Renal Dialysis (artists, musicians, writers, dance artists)
– Healing Sounds live music programme (musicians)
– Iontas Arts and Mental Health Programme (artists, musicians, writers, dance artists)
– Open Gallery inclusive art viewing programme (visual artists)

Artists, musicians, writers and dance artists interested in applying should have:
– previous experience in delivering participatory/ collaborative arts experiences
– excellent interpersonal skills
– an understanding of, and genuine interest in the role of the arts in healthcare contexts.

In addition, musicians should have:
– a high level of musical competence, performance experience and repertoire, and an ability / willingness to use voice.
Announcing details of the Open Call, Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts, said “We are very excited to announce this Open Call and to provide such rich opportunities for artists, musicians, writers and dance artists to work with us. We are a vibrant, forward thinking organisation, delivering arts programmes of the highest quality in healthcare and community contexts, and we see the positive impact of our work every day. We are passionate about what we do, so we’re looking for similarly passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Artist Panel. While we are looking for experienced arts practitioners, additional training will also be provided. This includes induction training, shadowing opportunities, ongoing mentoring and continuous professional development workshops, as well as support from the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts team.”

Waterford Healing Arts brings arts experiences – music, visual art, creative writing and storytelling – to the bedside of patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings. Core funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, this extensive arts and health programme promotes creativity, connection and discovery and seeks to reduce isolation, anxiety and stress for patients, family members and staff, and is delivered by professional artists in partnership with healthcare professionals. In addition, as part of Réalta, the National Body for Arts + Health in Ireland, Waterford Healing Arts offers its programmes and systems as examples of good practice, it pilots new ideas and initiatives, and this invaluable experience and insight informs Réalta’s programmes.

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‘In The Cards’ is a romantic comedy about two best friends parting ways. Or does the universe have other plans? As they both grapple with their futures, who knows what the cards have in store?

‘In The Cards’, an irresistible romantic comedy celebrating queerness, disability and working class lives, written and directed by Leah Moore, will have its premiere at Galway Film Fleadh on Friday 14th July at the Town Hall Theatre.

Ash (Leah Moore) is about to head off on the trip of a lifetime exploring South East Asia. On the eve of her departure, she’s dropping her best friend, Naoise (Shauna Higgins) to an appointment with a fortune teller (Eimear Morrissey), booked for Naoise by her mam when Naoise broke up with her now ex-boyfriend. While Naoise gets her cards read, Ash goes to the corner shop and picks up a goodbye card to write for Naoise. While she’s there, she gets chatting to the perceptive shopkeeper, Ronan (Mark Smith.) Between Naoise’s card reading and Ash’s chance encounter with Ronan, the two best friends realise they might have more to say to each other than they thought…

Leah Moore says, “As an autistic, queer, working class artist, this short has themes that are very close to my heart. I want to represent the world as I see it. This is a story WITH queer people, disabled people, working class people. Not a story ABOUT or CONCERNING those groups. I think this is where real inclusion happens and that’s what I hope I’ve achieved by making this piece.

“Since receiving my diagnosis of autism during the pandemic, finding my identity within the autistic community has been tricky for me. I think connecting with other neurodiverse and disabled artists and communities is really essential. ‘In The Cards’, featuring both myself and Mark Smith (who is an actor with Down Syndrome) as both actors and collaborators, gives disabled and neurodiverse people representation both on and off screen.

“The LGBTQIA+ community is also represented in this film – a community which is regularly portrayed in a very serious light. Brightening up and celebrating queerness is a top priority for me.

“I’m also from a working class area, where going to see a fortune teller is a huge tradition for women, a tradition that helps reset, connect, and move forward. Showing this tradition and the humour and warmth of working class areas is so important to me – not as these areas are so often portrayed in gangland TV dramas, but as these communities actually are – welcoming, fun, and full of heart.

“Showing and normalising these stories is what makes them universal and helps bring these lived experiences into the mainstream.

“ ‘In The Cards’ is a film I’ve wanted to make for a good few years now, a film that I’ve written, directed, and acted in and that has been produced by my production company Imagine All Productions. We’re just so thrilled to see it premiere at Galway Film Fleadh!”

‘In The Cards’ is funded by the Arts Council’s Arts and Disability Connect Scheme managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. ‘In The Cards’ has also been supported by Fingal County Council and by glór.

Director: Leah Moore, Co-Director: Douglas Reddan, Director of Photography: Garreth Caulfield, Editor: Philip Shanahan

Cast: Shauna Higgins, Leah Moore, Eimear Morrissey & Mark Smith

Screening Details

Date: Friday 14th July
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Town Hall Theatre
Ticket cost: €10.00/€9.00 (+ €1.00 fees)

To book please click here.

For further information please click here.

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Arts & Disability Ireland will host an online seminar on the 18th of April at 2.30pm.

This introductory webinar on the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of Accessibility in Cultural Contexts will give an overview of the legal and regulatory obligations that apply to arts centres, galleries, museums, festivals and night-time economy venues when implementing accessibility for people with disabilities.

Our panel of four presenters will share their expertise on practical approaches to minimising barriers to access. This will include presentations on the built environment surrounding cultural spaces, designing accessible websites and organisational access auditing in terms of facilities, programme and services, all set in the context of Irish disability, equality and human rights legislation.

Speakers will include:

Léa Urzel Francil, PhD researcher, ERC Project DANCING, Dept of Law & Criminology, NUI Maynooth.
Dr. Gerald Craddock, Chief Officer, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority.
Eoin O’Herlihy, Managing Director, O’Herlihy Access Consultancy.
Dr. Donal Fitzpatrick, Senior ICT Design Advisor, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority.

This webinar will last for 90 minutes. Each presenter will speak for approximately 15 minutes which will be followed by a facilitated Q&A.

A Zoom link will be circulated to attendees on the 17th of April a day prior to the webinar.

ISL interpreters will be provided by Bridge Interpreting. Speech to text will be provided by MyClearText.

For details on how to book, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-why-and-how-of-accessibility-in-cultural-contexts-tickets-591363061837

If you have any questions about the session, please email: adrian@adiarts.ie

Commission: Of Ice and Light

Of Ice and Light by Ruth Le Gear is a piece commissioned by Arts & Disability Ireland (2021). It is forming as part of a large body of work. A circle is visible in black space, as though particles are drifting through deep water. In the background, the sound of icebergs melting echoes.

A note from the artist:

“In 2012 I traveled to the Arctic and collected iceberg fragments, waters, film footage, and sounds of icebergs melting. I am now taking the time to revisit this work through another lens, with the tincture of time. The sounds in this work are that of icebergs melting underwater, this ancient air dissipating out into the water carrying all the codes of wisdom to us, reminding us we are not alone. We have forgotten our origins and the connection to this realm. Of cosmic and intimate proportions.”

View the artwork in full here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CphGm2Abtoc

Discover more of Ruth’s work on her website or on Instagram @ruthlegear

Video description: Of Ice and Light by Ruth Le Gear

Of Ice and Light is a moving image work, its duration is 3 minutes 56 seconds.

It starts briefly with a black screen. Hundreds, if not thousands of tiny spherical fragments of light appear. They begin at the centre point of the screen drifting through darkness, outwards and towards us to create a large globe. We view this as we might view the universe and space. The fragments drift towards us as if pulled by gravity. They appear perfectly formed but as some of them move towards us it is evident they are translucent. As they move closer they appear like tiny galaxies. Blue, purple, white and coral colours swirl within them.

Black shadows float across the large globe, blocking our view of the fragments of light. Some of the shadows stay a while before drifting away. Some swirl towards us before disappearing. In the last seconds of the moving image work these black shadows grow and envelop the large, ever moving cosmic globe made from fragments of light. Until all that is left is a black screen.

Credits with white text on a black background read:

‘Created by Ruth Le Gear
Sound Design Cyril Briscoe

Arts & Disability Ireland’

Headshots of Miguel Amado, Sara Greavu, Sheena Barrett and Belinda Quirke

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Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios are delighted to announce the 9 successful artists for our 2022 Studio Visit programme.

Congratulations to Anthony Cullen, Ciara Chapman, Gerard Fenniman, Jennifer Cunningham, Lindsey Power, Niki Collier, Roisin Ní Neachtain, Sarah Keenan and Tara Carroll.

Gerard Fenniman and Tara Carroll will participate in a studio visit with Miguel Amado, Director and Curator at Sirius Arts Centre.

Ciara Chapman, Roisin Ní Neachtain and Sarah Keenan will participate in a studio visit with Sara Greavu, Curator of Visual Arts at Project Arts Centre.

Jennifer Cunningham and Niki Collier will participate in a studio visit with Sheena Barrett, Curator of The LAB Gallery.

Anthony Cullen and Lindsey Power will participate in a studio visit with Belinda Quirke, Director at Solstice Arts Centre.

This can happen at the artist’s studio, in a café, meeting space or sometimes online. In advance the curator will research the artist. The artist will choose what artworks they’d like to show the curator. Both the artist and curator will be prepared to discuss their work. All of this preparation is a starting point for a conversation.

In a studio visit the conversation may address themes of the artist’s work, works in progress, ideas around potential exhibition opportunities, audiences for future work, introducing references by other artists, professional development opportunities and critical responses.

Headshots of Miguel Amado, Sara Greavu, Sheena Barrett and Belinda Quirke

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The deadline for Studio Visit programme applications is Monday 15 November at 4pm.

Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios celebrate over 10 years supporting visual artists with disabilities together. The partnership has included an exhibition and seminar called ‘A Different Republic’ at The LAB Gallery, 4 Studio Awards, 2 Digital Media Awards, 4 publications, 7 artists and 7 mentors participated in our Mentoring Programme, and a seminar called ‘Pathways to Practice’ at the Glucksman Gallery.

The Studio Visit programme brings curators and artists together to look at the development of work and its parameters. Curators and artists of national significance have participated in this programme in 2019 and 2020.

Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios have gathered a panel of nationally recognised curators to participate in studio visits with up to 8 visual artists with disabilities in 2022. Each curator will participate in up to two studio visits each.

Our 2022 Studio Visit programme curators are:

Miguel Amado – Director, Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh
Sara Greavu – Curator, Project Arts Centre, Dublin
Sheena Barrett – Curator, The Lab Gallery, Dublin
Belinda Quirke – Director, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan

Studio visits are meetings between artists and curators that are focused on the artist’s practice, their work and interests. Artists invite curators, programmers or arts managers for a studio visit to discuss their practice.

This can happen at the artist’s studio, in a café, meeting space or sometimes online. In advance the curator will research the artist and the artist will choose what artworks they’d like to show the curator and be prepared to discuss their work. All of this preparation is a starting point for a conversation.

What to expect from the Studio Visit programme?
Each of the successful artists with disabilities will participate in a studio visit with one of the curators on our panel between January and March 2022. Covid-19 guidelines permitting. Successful artists will receive a fee of €100. Curators will also receive a fee. After the studio visit each artist and curator will submit a one page report on their studio visit experience.

Who is eligible to apply?
Visual artists at all stages of their careers are welcome to apply.
To be eligible you must be:

a visual artist with a disability
able to demonstrate your professional practice
living in the Republic of Ireland
over 18 years of age

Deadline: Monday 15 November 2021 at 4pm.

To submit an application email the following to helen@firestation.ie:

A one page letter of interest explaining why you would benefit from the Studio Visit programme: max 500 words (.doc or .pdf)
Your CV: max 2 pages (.doc or .pdf)
Examples of previous work: max 10 images/works (.jpg, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, .pdf, .doc)
If you have any access requirements to participate in the Studio Visit please outline these in your email.

Please use the subject line: Studio Visit programme application (insert your name).

If you have any questions about submitting an application contact Helen Carey, Director, FSAS by email helen@firestation.ie or by phone 01 8069010

Arts and Disability Connect. A scheme for artists with disabilities

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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland announce the awarded artists for round one of the 2021 Arts and Disability Connect scheme

In 2021 €116,000 will be awarded to artists with disabilities through the scheme. The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce that €56,000 has been awarded to 12 artists through New Work, Research and Development, Mentoring and Training awards in round one.

“Year on year, artists with disabilities continue to dream even bigger. Consequently, 2021 will see a giant step forward in creative ambition and innovative practice”. Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland.

New Work Award

Alan James Burns is a visual artist based in Dublin. In partnership with Carlow Arts Festival, Alan will create a new work called Augmented Body, Altered Mind for their 2022 festival. This ambitious piece will explore what it means to be an individual living within everyday systems. The 17 minute experience will weave a brain-computer interface (BCI) with a Virtual Reality environment.

Rosaleen McDonagh is a Dublin based writer and theatre artist. In partnership with Project Arts Centre, Rosaleen will present a film installation of Contentious Spaces in the Gallery in 2021. Two characters, Bella and Michael get trapped in a disabled toilet. Over the course of twenty minutes they argue, discover and discuss everything from their own personal histories, disability rights, transgender rights, isolation, sex, love, clubbing and more.

Research & Development Award

Research and Development awards give artists time to think, research, reflect and critically engage with their practice. One award was made in this round.

Diane Crotty is a theatre maker based in Dublin. With the support of Graffiti Theatre Company, Diane will write and workshop a new script for young audiences about a 14 year old girl Abigail Hobbes who was accused of witchcraft at the Salem witch trials 1692.

Mentoring Award

Leon O’Connor is a film artist and animator based in Limerick. Leon will work with mentor Jason Tammemagi Creative Producer at Cartoon Saloon. They will focus on pre-production stages of animation while Leon begins to develop a new animated short film.

Maureen McGovern is a Dublin based theatre artist. Maureen will work with dramaturg Pamela McQueen to research autobiographical theatre performances and get support while she develops a new script.

Maureen Portsmouth is a writer and theatre artist based in Dublin. Maureen will work with writer and dance artist Lani O’Hanlon as she works towards writing for publication through her work with the body and voice.

Paul Howell is a Dublin based visual artist. Paul will work with printmaker Colin Martin with support from the Black Church Print Studio. Together they will work on Paul’s professional development including working towards exhibition and researching print processes and techniques.

Sarah Keenan is a Galway based visual artist who will work with curator and visual artist Moran Been-noon. They will discuss next steps for career progression, the direction of Sarah’s studio practice at this pivotal moment and how to make meaningful professional connections within the visual arts in Ireland.

Tadhg Kinsella is a visual artist based in Dublin. Tadhg will work with Mella Travers, CEO of The Darkroom. Through mentoring sessions they will explore options for professional development, networking and explore a range of technical processes.

Training Award

Joan Jordan is a Louth based visual artist. Joan will complete a programme of one to one stained glass training with Alison Byrne of WildBird Studio.

Lindsey Power is a visual artist based in Clare. Lindsey will attend a week long workshop Painting in the Burren Landscape with Trevor Geoghegan at Burren College of Art.

Olivia Shiel is a Louth based visual artist. Olivia has created a series of one to one workshops with visual artist Susan Farrelly at Abbey Studios and filmmaker JJ Harrington.

Congratulations to all of the awarded artists!

Round two of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme opens on the 30 August and the deadline is 18 October. For more information about the Arts and Disability Connect scheme see www.adiarts.ie/connect

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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce exciting changes for Arts and Disability Connect this year.

Funding has been increased to €116,000 in 2021 which will be awarded to artists with disabilities through the scheme.

Round 1 opens Tuesday 06 April.
Deadline is Monday 24 May, 2021 at 4pm.
Applicants will be told the outcome by July.

Round 2 opens Monday 30 August.
Deadline is Monday 18 October, 2021 at 4pm.
Applicants will be told the outcome by December.

“This is a significant leap forward in funding opportunities for artists with disabilities. It is an opportunity to dream bigger, collaborate more broadly and engage wider audiences. I eagerly await artists’ creativity and ambition moving to the next level”. Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director, Arts & Disability Ireland.

Artists can apply for 4 different awards: New Work €15,000, Research and Development €5,000, Mentoring €3,000 and Training €1,000.

We are thrilled to announce that we are increasing the award amounts available for New Work to €15,000 and Mentoring to €3,000. This will give artists an opportunity to think even bigger than before.

We have created a new Research and Development award of €5,000. This award is for mid-career and established artists who want time and resources to think, research, reflect and critically engage with their practice. It can be used to ‘buy time’, develop new relationships with arts partners in order to submit a New Work application in the future or to develop other strategic partnerships.

A new addition to Arts and Disability Connect this year will be Easy Read information describing the scheme and how funding decisions are made.

We will announce a series of online information sessions and details about how people can book one-to-one support for their applications soon.

Application forms, guidelines, Easy Read information and dates for information sessions in round 1 will be available on our website from Tuesday 06 April at www.adiarts.ie/connect.

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Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce the awarded artists of round two of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme 2020.

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

2020 is the first time a second round of funding was made available through this Arts Council scheme managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. €38,275 has been awarded to 12 artists through New Work, Mentoring and Training awards.

“During a year that has been so challenging for artists, it is so exciting that artists with disabilities continue to have opportunities to train, be mentored and create new and innovative work for the coming year.”
Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland.

Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce the 12 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 round 4 artists received New Work awards.

Anna Czarska is a filmmaker based in Kildare. In partnership with Sticky Tape Productions and with the support of Underground Cinema, Anna will develop and create a short film called Mildly Different. This will be screened at Underground Cinema Film Festival in winter 2021.

Ciara Chapman is a Cork based visual artist. In partnership with Cork Printmakers, Ciara will create a publication, exhibition and art trail during summer and autumn 2021 called My Chronic Pain Diary.

Darren Donohue is a theatre maker based in Kilkenny. In partnership with the Science Gallery, Darren will develop a new play which will be performed in July 2021. This work will explore the relationship between people with chronic illness and technology.

Trudie Gorman is a Dublin based writer. In partnership with Poetry Ireland and with the support of Axis: Ballymun, Trudie will develop a collection of poetry and curate an event in December 2021 featuring her work and the work of other poets with disabilities who are also from working class backgrounds.

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 round 5 artists received Mentoring awards.

Brigid O’Dea is writer based in Dublin who will work with writer Patrick Freyne while she navigates moving away from the ‘person-centred’ column format to find a multi-faceted writing identity that reaches beyond writing about disability.

Doreena Jennings is a Carlow based writer who will work with poet Jessica Traynor as she shapes her first poetry collection and explores publication possibilities.

Emily Gillmor Murphy is a theatre maker based in Wicklow who will work with Dramaturg Pamela McQueen while she researches and incorporates site-specific immersive theatre into her practice. Emily will receive meeting space in-kind from Mermaid Arts Centre during her mentoring process.

Letizia Lopreiato is a Dublin based visual artist and writer who will work with The Darkroom Director Mella Travers while she develops a new body of work and explores using the Super 8 film format.

Niki Collier is a visual artist based in Dublin who will work with theatre maker Aisling Byrne and visual artist Liz Nilson while she develops her collaborative practice working with communities.

Training awards give artists the resources to learn skills through courses, workshops and masterclasses facilitated by arts organisations, artists and arts professionals. This round 3 artists received Training awards.

Allison McKay is a Dublin based theatre maker. Allison has created a tailor made training programme with Kathleen Warner Yeates to support her to adapt her practice and continue to create work.

Christian Wethered is a writer based in Dublin. Christian will avail of online training through The Limerick Writers’ Centre with writer Ciaran O’Driscoll.

Soirse Burns is Dublin based theatre maker. Soirse will work with dancer Emma O’Kane to develop her movement-driven practice and to build her confidence engaging professional dancers in her work.

For more information about the Arts and Disability Connect scheme see www.adiarts.ie/connect

Image credit: Mindfulness by Ciara Chapman, 2018.

Photo of Róisín Power Hackett

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We are delighted to announce that Róisín Power Hackett will curate our Open Call edition of Curated Space.

Curated Space is Arts & Disability Ireland’s online platform for Irish and international artists with disabilities. For each edition a curator commissions new work or a reframing of existing work by artists. This next Curated Space edition which is called The Finest Specimens of Fossilized Duration will be published on our website in November 2020.

“I am delighted to have been selected as the curator for Arts & Disability Ireland’s Curated Space. This opportunity will support me to develop my current curatorial research around the inclusion in and access to the arts from people with disabilities/disabled people. I look forward to working closely with two fantastic artists.”

Róisín has invited, Áine O’Hara and Philip Kenny, to present existing works afresh. Áine O’Hara will present a recording and images of her performance The Birthday Party. Philip Kenny will showcase a filmed spoken word performance of his poem Ode to Sweeney’s.

“Both The Birthday Party and Ode to Sweeney’s show how our memories are rooted more often in places than in time. These works affirm the term topoanalysis, coined by the philosopher Gaston Bachelard. Bachelard believed that memories are ‘the finest specimens of fossilised duration concretized as a result of a long sojourn, [and] are to be found in and through space’.”

Biography

Róisín Power Hackett is an Irish curator, artist and writer. She has a background in visual art, art theory and art writing. She holds a BA Fine Art in 2012 and an MA Art in the Contemporary World in 2013 from the National College of Art and Design. Since her BA she has worked with interdisciplinary performance as she has always been intrigued by the crossovers between visual art and literature. Conceptually, she is drawn to the deconstruction of language and history, often from a feminist perspective.

In 2017, Róisín began to explore another aspect of her identity, her disability. In 2019, she was awarded the inaugural ARC-LAB Gallery Curatorial Scholarship to research access to and inclusion in the arts for disabled people/people with disabilities. As part of this scholarship she is a student on the Institute of Art, Design and Technology’s MA in Art and Research Collaboration (ARC) program and based at The LAB Gallery as Assistant Curator. As the Curatorial Scholar, she will be curating A Consideration of All Bodies, an exhibition of work by artists with disabilities, to take place in The LAB Gallery in 2021.

Róisín has previously held positions in Pallas Projects/Studios, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios and Sarah Walker Gallery.

You can find out more about Róisin’s practice here

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Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI) is the national development and resource organisation for arts and disability.

We champion the creativity of artists with disabilities, promote inclusive experiences for audiences with disabilities and work to enhance the disability-related capacity of arts organisations. We work in partnership with the arts sector, and encourage the disability sector to do the same.

ADI is funded by a range of public bodies, including the Arts Council, and also generates revenue by providing services to arts organisations.

ADI does not have a large number of financial transactions. However, we do undertake a wide and complex variety of projects, programmes and partnerships which run concurrently, which translates to a more elaborate financial infrastructure than some similar organisations.

ADI currently works under reporting standard FRS 102, but plan to transition to SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities) over the coming year.

ADI’s General Manager has a financial role which includes:

Accounts payable and processing of invoices,
Credit control and issuing of invoices,
Input of sales and purchase invoices into the accounting package (SURF),
Bank reconciliation within SURF,
Online banking,
Running payroll through SAGE and issuing quarterly returns to Revenue,
Statutory returns to Companies Registration Office (CRO) (B1, B10s),
Statutory returns to Charities Regulatory Authority (Annual Report, Audited Accounts),
Preparation of annual Directors Report and Audit documents in liaison with the Accountant,
Preparation of Financial Activities Report (FAR), Budgeted Activities Report (BAR) and Actual Activities Report (AAR) for the Arts Council.

The Tender

ADI is currently seeking proposals from individuals or organisations with suitable qualifications and experience to work with its General Manager and Executive Director to deliver the following:

Review monthly/quarterly postings in the SURF accounts package, making adjustments where required,
Post quarterly journals (deferred income, accruals, payroll, depreciation etc) to SURF and prepare quarterly management accounts for circulation to the board,
Attend board meetings and present financials to the board (4 Board Meetings and Annual General Meeting (AGM),
Assist ADI team with budgeting and forecasting – for Management Accounts, Arts Council reporting and other funders’ requirements,
With the General Manager, generate reports for the auditor and assist with audit queries,
Assist ADI team with funding reports to the Arts Council and other funders (as per their templates and requirements).

The role would allow the successful candidate to work remotely, in conjunction with a number of in-house meetings with the team, when public health advice allows this to occur. Due to Covid-19, ADI foresees the continuance of its current remote working policy and as such, all interviews will be conducted via Zoom.

Interested parties should return a detailed proposal with indicative costs to Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director, Arts & Disability Ireland by 11^th September, 2020.

A contract will be awarded to the winning tender by Friday, 25^th September, 2020.

The service provision will be subject to review in 12 months.

Contact: padraig@adiarts.ie

Musical performance by Suzanne Walsh in the Model Gallery in Sligo for Culture Night 2017

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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce that a second round of funding will be available through the Arts and Disability Connect scheme in 2020.

Designed to support individual artists with disabilities, the Arts and Disability Connect scheme includes New Work, Mentoring and Training awards.

“The Arts Council’s commitment of additional funding for individual artists with disabilities is a huge endorsement as well as deserved recognition of their contribution to the creative voice of Ireland in a time of tremendous change. In real terms, this additional funding represents a doubling of opportunities for artists to undertake training, mentoring and new work in 2020, through the Arts and Disability Connect funding scheme which Arts & Disability Ireland manages on behalf of the Arts Council.” Arts & Disability Ireland Executive Director, Pádraig Naughton.

Application forms and guidelines for round two of Arts and Disability Connect scheme will be available to download from Monday 07 September at www.adiarts.ie/connect.

Arts and Disability Connect deadline: Monday 19 October at 4pm.

Information Sessions
Arts & Disability Ireland have announced a series of online information sessions for round two of the scheme. Information sessions are for artists with disabilities who may consider making an application and those who will support them. These sessions are as follows:

Arts and Disability Connect information session with ADI Project Manager, Amie Lawless on Tuesday 15 Sept from 11am.

For more information click here.

Arts and Disability Connect information session: New Work with ADI Project Manager, Amie Lawless and artist Emilie Conway on Thursday 17 Sept from 11am.

For more information click here.

Arts and Disability Connect information session: Mentoring with ADI Project Manager, Amie Lawless and artist Suzanne Walsh on Tuesday 22 Sept from 11am.

For more information click here.

Arts and Disability Connect information session: Training with ADI Project Manager, Amie Lawless and artist Áine O’Hara on Thursday 24 Sept from 11am.

For more information click here.

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Arts & Disability Ireland presented Access into Action, a webinar series developed to support Irish arts and culture professionals to create accessible content and experiences for audiences with disabilities.

Access into Action provides practical knowledge that can be put into immediate action. Each webinar provided a brief context, explored why an aspect of access is important, discussed the benefit for audiences, shared practical know-how and closed with a facilitated Q&A to ensure participants get the most out of each session.

2021

This series forms part of ADI’s Dublin Access Partnership, which has been running since August 2018 and is embedding a more holistic approach to accessible arts programming for audiences with disabilities.

To kick-start the series, we had Oli Webster, Programme Systems Manager at Stagetext, who presented Subtitling Online Content on Tuesday 14^th July 2021.

In this 60-minute webinar, Oli gave a quick overview of online access for audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing, along with a taster of Stagetext’s longer series of free training videos, available to view here.

Oli also briefly covered some of the reasons we use subtitles, the wider benefits of their usage, some quick tips for improving the online access you offer, and finished with a 20-minute Q&A session.

A recording of this webinar can be found here.

Next up, we had Roz Chalmers, a member of the resident team of describers in London’s National Theatre, The Old Vic Theatre, Chickenshed and the Park Theatre, who presented Writing Accessible Introductions on Tuesday 28^th July 2021.

In this 60-minute webinar, Roz gave an overview of accessible introductory notes for online performances for audiences who are blind or visually impaired.

Roz also shared why it’s important to create introductory notes, the benefits and their impact, some quick tips for writing the introductory notes, and finished with a 20-minute Q&A session.

A recording of this webinar can be found here.

Each webinar has open captions provided by Stagetext.

2023

Arts & Disability Ireland built on this series in 2023 with further webinars aiming to support Irish arts and culture professionals interested in creating accessible content and experiences for audiences with disabilities.

The ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of Accessibility in Cultural Contexts – 18th April 2023.

This introductory webinar on the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of Accessibility in Cultural Contexts gave an overview of the legal and regulatory obligations that apply to arts centres, galleries, museums, festivals and night-time economy venues when implementing accessibility for people with disabilities.

Our panel of four presenters shared their expertise on practical approaches to minimising barriers to access. This included presentations on the built environment surrounding cultural spaces, designing accessible websites and organisational access auditing in terms of facilities, programme and services, all set in the context of Irish disability, equality and human rights legislation.

Speakers included:

Léa Urzel Francil, PhD researcher, ERC Project DANCING, Dept of Law & Criminology, NUI Maynooth.
Dr. Gerald Craddock, Chief Officer, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority.
Eoin O’Herlihy, Managing Director, O’Herlihy Access Consultancy.
Dr. Donal Fitzpatrick, Senior ICT Design Advisor, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority.

A recording of this webinar can be found here.

Access Technology for Audio Description & Captioning: Supporting an Accessible Arts Programme – 27th June 2023.

Access technology can provide numerous ways for audiences with disabilities to engage with a performance or exhibition. There are a variety of ways to do this which can impact on programming decisions and budgets. In this webinar, we looked at three key types of access technology used to provide audio description and captioning for audiences with disabilities. Each panellist spoke about their area of expertise, current processes in that area and advancements in technology.

Speakers included:

Tim Brown of Apple Sound Ltd. spoke bout audio description for theatre, galleries and museums.
Oran McAllister of NaviLens who spoke about NaviLens code and how it can impact on engagement of exhibitions and buildings.
Roger Beaumont of Digital 4 who spoke about captioning for theatre.

A recording of this webinar can be found here.

Each webinar has open captions provided by Stagetext.

Alice Wingwall, Thumbs Up at the Grand Hotel (in Lund, Sweden), No Date. Photograph.

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Arts & Disability Ireland is inviting curators, producers, arts managers and artists with disabilities to submit expressions of interest to curate an edition of Curated Space in 2020.

The focus of this Curated Space Open Call is to showcase existing work by artists with disabilities living in the Republic of Ireland. It is also possible to consider commissioning new work alongside existing work. A minimum of two artists must be featured. Curated Space is published on www.adiarts.ie.

Objectives of Curated Space
Curated Space is Arts & Disability Ireland’s online platform for Irish and international artists with disabilities. In each edition we invite a curator to commission new work or showcase existing work by artists with disabilities. Previous editions of Curated Space include:

One Beat at a Time
A music commission featuring Derrick Devine, Ailís Ní Ríain and Kevin Nolan. Curated by Dylan Tighe.

Always Imaginable?
A playwright commission featuring Mary Kinsella, Sonya Kelly and Stephen Kennedy. Curated by Gavin Kostick and edited by John Austin Connolly.

Marking Blind
A visual art exhibition showcasing the work of four contemporary artists, Raphaëlle de Groot, Robert Morris, Carmen Papalia, and Alice Wingwall. Curated by Amanda Cachia.

The role of the Curated Space curator
The chosen curator or curators of Curated Space Open Call will develop their concept, contract artists, set and monitor deadlines, write a curatorial statement, work with artists on their artists statements, gather all materials to be published and support Arts & Disability Ireland with some elements of access and marketing.

‘Today, the role of contemporary curators rests between two interpretations: the art curator takes care of the works, but also gives them a larger context, framing objects intellectually, historically, and socially. A good curator provides information, connections, and even contrasts to understand what makes art relevant today, and not only reflects meaning but contribute to debates and new understandings.’ Trends in Contemporary Curating, Sotheby’s Institiute of Art.

Budget available
The maximum budget available for Curated Space Open Call is €2,700. This amount is inclusive of the curator fee, artists’ fees and production costs if applicable.

Access for audiences with disabilities
It is important that the curator and artists consider how their work can be made accessible to a wide range of audiences. A separate budget, managed by Arts & Disability Ireland will be used to audio describe and caption the artworks, if needed. Arts & Disability Ireland will support both the curator and artists to consider access and we will approve the accessibility of artworks before publishing.

Timeframe
The first edition of Curated Space Open Call will be published on www.adiarts.ie no later than the 31st October 2020. A potential second edition of Curated Space Open Call will be published no later than the 1st December 2020.

Who is eligible to apply?
Curators, producers, arts managers and artists with disabilities working in the following artforms are eligible to apply; architecture, circus, dance, film, literature, music, opera, street arts and spectacle, theatre, traditional arts and visual arts. Applicants and artists featuring in this Curated Space Open Call must be based in the Republic of Ireland.
Arts & Disability Ireland take their definition of disability from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, which states:
‘Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.’

Who is not eligible to apply?
People who do not have an arts practice.
People who do not have a disability as outlined above.
People who are not living in the Republic of Ireland.
People who are in undergraduate education between September 2019 and September 2020.

Criteria
Applications will be assessed against the criteria of artistic merit and how they meet the overall objectives of Curated Space.
Artistic merit – You must demonstrate:

a strong track record in your established professional arts practice through your CV and supporting documentation,
an imaginative, ambitious and feasible approach to developing an edition of Curated Space, including concept, featuring artists, artforms, formats and timeframe.Meeting the objectives of the award – You must describe:
the ways in which your practice and career will benefit or be developed as a result of curating an edition of Curated Space.

How to apply
In one email please send your letter of interest, CV and any supporting documentation to amie@adiarts.ie.

In your letter of interest please outline the concept for your proposal, the names of artists you hope to feature, the artforms included, formats of artworks and timeframe. (1,000 words max)
CV (2 pages max)
Supporting documentation

Deadline
Thursday 16 July at 4pm.
Late applications will not be accepted.

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As you read ADI’s Newsletter, we hope you and your family are safe and well. The national effort to control the spread of Covid-19 has resulted in a huge upheaval for the entire Irish population. Like many, the ADI team are adjusting to working remotely and have remained busy. Consequently, there is a lot to update you on.

Since the 13 March the ADI office has been closed and generally our hours remain 9.30am-5.30pm. The easiest way to get in touch still remains email. Here is a link to the staff contact details on ADI’s website. We can either respond to your email by return or arrange a telephone or video call back. All post is being redirected and will be passed on to the relevant team member.

The Arts and Disability Connect selection panel was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 24 March in the Sean O’Casey Centre. We are delighted to say that we were able to reschedule this for the same date as a Zoom video conference. The panel was chaired by an Arts Council council member, with 4 panellists, a representative from Arts Participation at Arts Council, as well as two representatives from ADI. €39,350 was distributed and 14 artists have already received their initial payments. Full details of the successful awardees follow in this Newsletter.

ADI want to congratulate playwright, disability activist and broadcaster Steve Daunt who received a Gold award for Innovation at the New York Festivals Radio Awards for his programme Between the Lines: In Our Words, Living with a Disability in Ireland which celebrated International Day of People with Disabilities, the programme will be rebroadcast on Newstalk at 7pm Saturday 25 April or you can listen back to the podcast.

In early March ADI announced that we were postponing From Access to Inclusion 2020 – An Arts and Culture Summit, now rescheduled from May to 22-25 March 2021. Since then our partners the Kennedy Center have also announced the postponement of their annual LEAD (Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina scheduled for August.

That said, some conference and seminar organisers have decided to take their events virtual. Chicago Cultural Access Consortium coordinates monthly professional development programmes primarily targeted at cultural administrators. CCAC’s most recent seminar Leading Accessible Virtual Programs is available to view with captions and verbal descriptions on their YouTube channel. While this webinar is free, CCAC do welcome a voluntary $5 donation.

Two other conferences have caught our attention: A Future Date, a volunteer-led virtual event with 3 days of curated sessions that were cancelled at major accessibility conferences including the assistive technology conference CSUN ATC, SXSW. The purpose was to continue to support access professionals and advocates and provide learning opportunities that were missed due to Covid-19. While A Future Date has now concluded, all the sessions are available to view with captions on their YouTube channel.

Closer to home, AHEAD have reshaped their annual conference Through the Looking Glass into 10 weeks of webinars. Taking place on Friday afternoons until 29th May the focus is inclusion and access in different further and higher education contexts.

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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.

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

Axis: Ballymun stage

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axis: Ballymun residency award for performing artists with disabilities.

Closing date for applications: Friday 15th May 2020 (Deadline extended)

axis: Ballymun are pleased to announce our performing arts residency ‘Playground’ for artists with disabilities. This residency is designed to support the professional development and the creation of new work by performing artists with disabilities. The awarded residency will take place in axis: Ballymun between May and December 2020 (up to 6 months).

Following several successful residencies across various disciplines, Axis will offer a residency and bursary to an artist with a disability who is interested in developing their performing arts practice.

What does the residency entail?

Support to collaborate and develop work and ideas remotely (includes but is not limited to; mentorship, feedback from Axis staff in relevant disciplines and other supports that the artist may identify)
When safe and suitable, studio space (shared studio space in Axis Dance Studio, Recording Studio, Art Studio and Theatre subject to requirements and availability).
Office space and administrative support may be incorporated into the above on request.
Presentation/Performance space, if required*
An artists’ fee of €5000 (to include any materials and/or production costs).
Access budget of up to €1000** (if required, to facilitate the award recipient’s access requirements).

Timeline and application info:

This residency will commence in May 2020 and the duration, spaces and access requirements will be mapped out dependant on the selected proposal with the artist and axis staff. Resident artists are expected to engage in on-going communication and feedback with Axis and will be asked to share their work/progress via communication through our websites, social networks and other platforms. This communication will be discussed with the artist in advance so as to safeguard the artist and allow space for their work to develop through all parts of the process.

Location: axis: Ballymun and remote locations in keeping with government guidelines.
Application Deadline: April 30th 2020
Duration: Up to 6 months (May – December 2020)
Eligibility: Irish based performing artists with disabilities of all disciplines aged 18+ are eligible to apply***Technical and presentation support to be agreed in partnership with the artist. Technical and time requirements depending, this may incur a chargeback of staff/engineer costs, but theatre hire will be waived.
**Please note that the residency is not resourced to support artists with accommodation, transport and access requirement costs beyond the amount set out above.

To apply please send:

A letter of interest: Explain why you think you would benefit from this residency award and identify a facet of your practice you would like to develop over the course of the residency. Please include a rough timeline, bearing in mind that this can be spread out over 6 months, or involve shorter, more intensive periods, subject to availability of spaces and resources.
(.doc, max 500 words)
CV (.doc, max 2 pages)
Supporting documentation: examples of previous work.
(max 10 images/works of up to 1gb in the following formats:
.jpg, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, .pdf, .doc.)
List of enclosed supporting documentation included in the application in a word file
Please outline any access requirements you may have in relation to this programme.
If written applications are difficult for you, you can address the above points in a video (no fancy production required, just make sure we can hear and, if relevant, see you clearly) and mail a wetransfer link to axisplayground@gmail.com

Please use WeTransfer to send us all of your application files

Go to www.wetransfer.com
Add the files you wish to send
Enter recipient email address: axisplayground@gmail.com
Enter your own email address
Add a message: ‘Playground application (insert your name)’
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 axis.

For further information contact:
Niamh: axisplayground@gmail.com

About axis: Ballymun
Located at the heart of Ballymun, axis is an arts venue, a production company, an arts development organisation, a community resource centre, and is home to a number of community development organisations. axis programmes at the point of excellence and inclusion seeking opportunity for artistic innovation and access for those interested in participation in the arts whenever possible. There is no division of importance in its programme between arts development and mainstream programming. axis welcomes everyone from all over Ireland and internationally to join in a learning organisation that acknowledges the creativity of everyone.

The small print
Applicants must be over 18 in March 2020.
Applicants may be shortlisted for interview
Axis will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applicants
The bursaries may be broken into smaller amounts and distributed to collaborators ar the discretion of the organiser
If any artist applying has additional access requirements, please note this in application.
We may also offer non funded support to unsuccessful applicants as well if we are in a position to do so.

This residency was initially developed in partnership with Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI). Axis is grateful to ADI for their continued support in an advisory capacity. This residency is made possible thanks to the support of The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Applications open Mon 30th March and close Friday 15th May 2020 2020 at 5pm. For further info or to ask a question, please email axisplayground@gmail.com.

http://www.axisballymun.ie/axis-online/bursary-opportunities/axis-playground

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Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios had a great response to our call for applications to our Studio Visit programme.

8 visual artists with disabilities were selected to participate in one studio visit with a curator on our panel.

Congratulations to Eoin O’Malley, Fergus Fitzgerald, Karol Mac Gairbheith, Paul Murray, Ruth Le Gear, Sahaja Budzilla, Tia Vellani and Vukašin Nedeljković. The studio visits were originally to take place between January and March but due to public health advice relating to Covid-19 this has been extended to December 2020.

Fergus Fitzgerald and Vukašin Nedeljković will participate in a studio visit with Miguel Amado, Director and Curator at Sirius Arts Centre.

Eoin O’Malley and Ruth Le Gear will participate in a studio visit with Sheena Barrett, Curator of The LAB Gallery and Arts Officer at Dublin City Council.

Paul Murray and Tia Vellani will participate in a studio visit with Jennie Guy, Independent Curator and Programme & Operations Manager at Fire Station Artists’ Studios.

Karol Mac Gairbheith and Sahaja Budzilla will participate in a studio visit with Belinda Quirke, Director at Solstice Arts Centre.

What is a studio visit?
The purpose of the studio visit is for artists and curators to have a conversation about the artist’s work and troubleshoot areas of the artist’s practice. This first conversation could lead to building a relationship over time.
Studio visits are intimate meetings between artists and curators that are focused on the artist’s practice, their work and interests. Artists invite curators, programmers or arts managers for a studio visit to discuss their practice. This can happen at the artist’s studio, in a café, meeting space or sometimes by Skype. In advance the curator will research the artist and the artist will choose what artworks they’d like to show the curator and be prepared to discuss their work. All of this preparation is a starting point for a conversation.

During a studio visit the conversation might revolve around the themes of the artist’s work, works that are in progress, potential exhibition opportunities, audiences for future work, introducing work by other artists for reference, professional development opportunities and critical responses.

Headshots of four curators

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The deadline for Studio Visit programme applications is Monday 16th December 2019 at 4pm.

Arts & Disability Ireland and Fire Station Artists’ Studios celebrate over 10 years supporting visual artists with disabilities together this year. The partnership has included an exhibition and seminar called ‘A Different Republic’ at The LAB Gallery, 4 Studio Awards, 2 Digital Media Awards, 4 publications, 7 artists and 7 mentors participated in our Mentoring Programme, and a seminar called ‘Pathways to Practice’ at the Glucksman Gallery.

ADI and FSAS have gathered a panel of curators who will participate in studio visits with up to 8 visual artists with disabilities in 2020. The panel of curators will take part in Disability Equality Training and participate in up to two studio visits each.

Our Studio Visit programme curators are:

Miguel Amado – Director and Curator at Cork Printmakers
Jennie Guy – Independent Curator and Programme & Operations Manager at Fire Station Artists’ Studios
Lívia Páldi – Curator of Visual Arts at Project Arts Centre
Belinda Quirke – Director at Solstice Arts Centre

Studio visits are intimate meetings between artists and curators that are focused on the artist’s practice, their work and interests. Artists invite curators, programmers or arts managers for a studio visit to discuss their practice. This can happen at the artist’s studio, in a café, meeting space or sometimes by Skype. In advance the curator will research the artist and the artist will choose what artworks they’d like to show the curator and be prepared to discuss their work. All of this preparation is a starting point for a conversation.

What to expect from the Studio Visit programme?
Each of the successful artists with disabilities will participate in one studio visit with one of the curators on our panel between January and March 2020. Successful artists will receive a fee of €100. Curators will also receive a fee. After the studio visit each artist and curator will write and submit a one page report on their studio visit experience.

Who is eligible to apply?
Visual artists at all stages of their careers are welcome to apply. To be eligible you must be a visual artist with a disability, who can demonstrate a professional practice and who is living in the Republic of Ireland. All applicants must be over 18.

Deadline: Monday 16th December 2019 at 4pm.

To submit an application email the following to amie@adiarts.ie:

A one page letter of interest explaining why you would benefit from the Studio Visit programme- max 500 words (.doc or .pdf)
• Your CV – max 2 pages (.doc or .pdf)
• Examples of previous work- max 10 images/works (.jpg, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, .pdf, .doc)
• If you have any access requirements to participate in the studio visit please outline these in your email.

Please use the subject line: Studio Visit programme application (insert your name).

If you have any questions about submitting an application contact Amie Lawless, Project Manager, Arts & Disability Ireland by email amie@adiarts.ie or by phone 01 8509006

For curator biographies click Read more

Miguel Amado is a curator, researcher and critic. He is Director of Cork Printmakers, Ireland. Posts, fellowships and residencies include Senior Curator, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, England; Curator, Tate St Ives, England; Curator, Abrons Arts Center, New York; Curator, PLMJ Foundation, Lisbon; Curator, Visual Arts Centre, Coimbra, Portugal; Curatorial Fellow, Rhizome at the New Museum, New York; Curatorial Fellow, Independent Curators International; New York; Curator in residence, International Studio and Curatorial Program, New York. Exhibitions, projects and events curated as a freelancer include the Portuguese Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale; ‘Dialogues’, London Art Fair; Foro Arte Cáceres, Spain; apexart, New York; Berardo Collection Museum, Lisbon; Frieze Projects, Frieze London; ARCO Madrid/Lisbon. Education includes the MA in Curating Contemporary Art at the Royal College of Art, London.

Jennie Guy is an artist, curator and educator based in Dublin. Her practice embraces visual, textual, performance, and event-based output. Guy’s work interrogates the rituals surrounding artistic production, seeking alternate modes of observation and response. She is the founder and director of Art School, a platform that establishes new interfaces between contemporary art and sites of education. Through Art School, she develops workshop and residency programmes that unite artists, students, and educators in partnership and research exchanges, both nationally and internationally. These projects generate collaborative art-works, exhibitions, screenings and publications, while remaining primarily invested in exploring artistic process and decisive interventions within educational curricula. Building on the momentum developed through Art School, Guy curated the EVA 2018 schools programme. In 2016 Guy launched Artists’ Exercises with Stine Marie Jacobsen, providing an online platform for distributing fragments of artists’ educational strategies featuring contributions from over fifty international artists. Guy is Manager of Programme and Operation of Fire Station Artists’ Studios in Dublin and is currently curating a series of major public art commissions in Dublin and Wicklow. As curator in residence with Rua Red Arts Centre she curated the exhibitions Field Recording (2018) and It’s Very New School (2017). She has been a member of The Enquiry Reading Group, The Graduate School of Creative Arts and Media (GradCAM) since 2009.

Born in Budapest, Lívia Páldi is the Curator of Visual Arts at Project Arts Centre in Dublin. Previously she was director of BAC – Baltic Art Center in Visby between 2012 and 2015 and curator chief curator of the Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle Budapest between 2007 and 2011. She has organised talks, discussions, workshops, numerous exhibitions and edited several books and exhibition catalogues. Páldi was one of the curatorial agents of dOCUMENTA (13). During 2016 she was member of the OFF-Biennale Budapest curatorial board. She lives and works in Dublin.

Belinda Quirke is a curator, producer, and inaugural director of award winning Solstice Arts Centre in County Meath. At Solstice, Quirke has instigated a diverse cultural and cross disciplinary programme within the performance and visual spaces, playing an active role in creative development in the northeast of the country. During her directorship, Belinda has particularly advocated working with artists of all disciplines through residency, production and vibrant commissioning programmes; connecting contemporary arts practice to the unique cultural heritage and environs of the Boyne Valley.

Belinda is a trustee of the Golden Fleece Award; an independent artistic prize fund established as a charitable bequest by the late Helen Lillias Mitchell. In 2016, Belinda was part of the winning bid team of Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture. Previous board memberships include Music Network, Cork, European Capital of Culture, and Create; National Development Agency for Collaborative Arts. A graduate of both Crawford College of Art (Painting) and UCC (Music), Belinda also studied singing at the Cork School of Music and has recently returned to music making.

Photo from Wexford Arts Centre, 2012

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Wexford County Council invites tenders from suitable, qualified artists in visual arts and creative writing to deliver the Arts Ability Programme from 2020-2022.

The positions include:

· 4 x Lead Artists (approx 8 – 10 hrs per week x 35 weeks per annum)

· 4 x Assistant Artists (approx 5 hrs per week x 12 weeks per annum)

Arts Ability is an inclusive, participatory arts programme which celebrates the artistic and creative imagination of people who experience mental health and/or intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities. Running since 2003, Arts Ability is an exemplar programme led by the Arts Office of Wexford County Council in partnership with the HSE, Wexford Mental Health Association and the partner venues.

Inbuilt into the Arts Ability Programme will be mentoring and other professional development opportunities for the artists.

To learn more about this programme and how to complete an etender, Wexford Arts Office is hosting a free information session with input from Arts Officer Liz Burns and eTender specialist Ross Mc Carthy.

Venue: Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford. Block A Ground floor meeting room.

Date: Thursday 14th November 2019, 10am – 12 noon.

Booking is essential. To secure a place, please rsvp before 8th November to arts@wexfordcoco.ie.

Full details on the Tender for Arts Ability and application form are available to download from www.etenders.gov.ie.

Please note artists interested in applying must register with eTenders and apply via their website for the Arts Ability programme. Applications cannot not be accepted via the Arts Office.

https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/arts-and-culture

Closing date for applications Wednesday, 20th November 2019.

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Sightless Cinema a radio drama workshop for people who are blind or with visual impairments is looking for new members.

In partnership with NCBI and funded by South Dublin County Council.

Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght, from Wednesday 6 November 10:30am-12:30. For information, or to let us know you’d be interested contact Ciaran at whitecaneaudiotheatre@gmail.com or 086-3679342.

Audience reaction to Sightless Cinema 2019 presentation:

Brilliant, really entertaining – a totally different experience.
Very imaginative. Well performed. – very powerful and moving.
The sound was good, it gave me a whole new experience.
Very well done and professional.
Fantastic way to experience what people with sight loss ‘see’, hear and experience on a day to day basis.

Listen to Sightless Cinema and White Cane Audio Theatre on Soundcloud here

Workshops by Ciarán Taylor theatre director-deviser from Carpet Theatre.

– No prior experience is necessary. The workshops are run by sound and drama experts in a fun, relaxed way. Anyone with sight loss can join and help create new radio dramas. For information, or to let us know you’d be interested contact Ciaran at whitecaneaudiotheatre@gmail.com or 086-3679342.

– The radio drama workshops are due to begin Wednesday 6 November 2019, 10:30am-12:30 at RUA RED South Dublin Arts Centre at the Tallaght Luas stop.

-This is the sixth year of ‘Sightless Cinema’. People who joined the previous groups say they didn’t quite know what to expect, but they really enjoyed getting involved. Recently there was a very successful public audio presentation at IMC Cinema Tallaght of the plays created by members this year. In previous years they have been presented at UCD and Lighthouse cinemas.

-This collaborative arts project is funded by South Dublin County Council Arts Office, facilitated by NCBI Services and supported by CONTACT Studio – a South Dublin County Arts Office initiative.

The Workshops:
-We’ll work together in a relaxed, fun way exploring how to tell stories through sound.

-We’ll start with a series of 6 workshops. These will introduce ways of creating radio drama.

– We’ll play with recording voices and sound effects, and real sounds from your daily life. We’ll then see how these can be put together to tell stories in sound. We’d also like you to show us how you use sound technology (phones, computers etc.), if you do.

-We plan then to continue workshops on Wednesdays in mornings until April 2020, with the aim of making recordings in a sound studio for a presentation later in 2020.

-With your help, we’ll record some ‘Sightless Cinema’, which can be broadcast or presented for a live audience. The aim is to create pieces which come from blind people’s experience. They will appeal to a wide audience, but will be particularly rich for blind listeners.
You can listen to some previous examples online on Sightless Cinema page on Soundcloud

-If you are interested you can contact Ciarán Taylor at (086) 367 9342 or at whitecaneaudiotheatre@gmail.com for information on the workshops. We may be able to help with transport or access. Please apply for a place by Monday 4 November 2019

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Are you a professional performing artist?

Do you identify as a: performer of colour, LGBTQ+ performer, performer with a disability, working class performer.

Have you got lived experience dealing with any (or all) of the following: White privilege, Cis-gendered privilege, Non-disabled privilege, Middle-class privilege?

Are you interested in exploring your experiences in a boundary pushing devised musical theatre show?

Louise White is making a radical contemporary musical about privilege, inequality and collective denial, which will premiere in Project Arts Centre, Space Upstairs in Autumn 2020.

Louise wishes to cast performers who will investigate and explore privilege from a personal standpoint and who will push the boundaries of the work. She will incorporate performers’ experiences, as well as multiple thematic and political references, and will weave them into the content of the show.

Performers do not need to be musical theatre performers but must have the proficiency to sing solo if required.

If you are a professional who is interested in this project, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/19rhAWMCRD3pJv6y9

Closing date for applications: Sunday 20th October 5pm.

Casting Dates:

Casting Workshop Day 1: Thursday 24th October 2019, 10am — 5pm, in Dance House, Foley Street, Dublin 1.

Casting Workshop Day 2: Tuesday 29th October 2019, 10am — 5pm, in Dance House.

N.B. Performers will be asked to attend a 2 hour casting workshop on only one of the dates above.

Performers will workshop a song, but do not need to prepare one. Otherwise, no preparation is necessary.

Follow Up Workshop Day:

Monday 9th to Friday 13th of December 2019, 10am — 5pm, in Dance House.

N.B. Successful applicants will be asked to attend 1 full day workshop during this week. All performers will be paid for their time.

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For the third time running, Unlimited are partnering with British Council to offer a placement for a disabled arts administrator, producer or curator, based outside of the UK.

Unlimited Project Manager Clara Giraud shares some insight into this unique opportunity.

What is it?
The placement is a paid professional development opportunity, to get involved with the delivery team for the Unlimited programme supporting work by disabled artists, in the United Kingdom. It will involve the placement holder visiting London for several weeks in March-May period to get to know the Unlimited delivery partner organisations (Shape Arts and Artsadmin), and the Unlimited team. There will be a second trip to London early September 2020, to assist the Unlimited team in the activity around Southbank Centre’s Unlimited Festival.

Who is it for?
This opportunity is for individuals that identify as disabled, and who have professional experience of working in the arts sector, whether that be through employment or self-initiated projects. The role is aimed to develop project managing, producing, event managing and arts administrative skills, and will be tailored to work to the strengths and interests of the placement holder. It is for an individual living anywhere in the world outside of the UK, with a high level of spoken and written English, or British Sign Language, that will enable them to fully benefit from the experience.

What support is in place?
This is a paid opportunity – placement holders will be paid for their time working with us, and all travel, accommodation, subsistence costs will be covered by Unlimited. We encourage applications from individuals that have not travelled before, or have access needs when travelling or in working situation, and we will fully support you and assist you in making arrangements. If you require a visa to do the work placement in the UK, we will help you in this process, and pay for the costs incurred.

What do you mean by ‘disabled’?
Unlimited uses a definition of disability based on the Social Model of Disability. This focuses on the disabling barriers imposed by society, embraces all physical, sensory and invisible impairments, learning disability, mental health and fatigue conditions. This definition also includes deaf people.

Because we recognise that people’s perspectives and experience of disability are very wide ranging, we have a broad and inclusive approach to what disability means.

What makes a good application?
We’re looking for a pro-active, curious, generous individual, keen to learn from Unlimited, but also able to contribute to the programme. It’s great to know specific areas of professional development applicants are looking to address through the placement, what skills and knowledge they want to get from it. We also want to know what expertise you can bring to us – we look forward to learning from you! Tell us why you want to do this placement now, how it fits with where you are professionally, and what you think the impact will be on your own path as well as the sector and context you live in.

All details about the placement opportunity, criteria, person specification, and how to apply can be found here.

To apply: please fill in the application form on the online application portal, with your Curriculum Vitae (CV) attached at https://apply.artsadmin.co.uk by Monday 14 October 2019, deadline 12 noon GMT.

Photo: Rachel Cherry

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Arts and Disability Ireland and The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Office of VSA and Accessibility are proud to announce a call for proposals for a unique European Summit titled From Access to Inclusion 2020 taking place from 11^th -14^th May in Dublin, Ireland.

ADI and The Kennedy Center will accept proposals for any of the summit session types outlined below. The deadline for abstracts is midnight GMT/UTC, Tuesday 12^th November 2019.

From Access to Inclusion 2020, An Arts and Culture Summit is an international gathering of access professionals and advocates exploring how to provide seamless, person-centred experiences in arts and culture, through a dynamic programme of keynotes, discussion panels, snapshots, case studies and demonstrations. The Summit offers an unprecedented opportunity to exchange ideas and discover new and innovative ways to include and welcome everyone, with an accompanying evening programme of cultural events featuring access and inclusion in action.

ADI are delighted to be partnering and collaborating with The Kennedy Center. This Summit is modeled on The Kennedy Center’s conference, Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®), the largest annual convening of access professionals and advocates in North America.

Find more information on previous LEAD® Conferences HERE

The Summit session types will include:

Capacity Building Workshops: in-depth, hands-on professional development workshops addressing a specific topic related to cultural arts access. Capacity building workshops can be 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, and may be repeated on multiple days and will be offered from 11^th-12^th May in cultural venues across Dublin city. All Capacity Building Workshops must include an interactive component that will engage adult learners and can be offered in several formats:

Classroom – These sessions provide practical tips, tools and resources that attendees can use to start or improve initiatives, programmes, or services.
Skills Building – These hands-on sessions are designed to teach participants a tangible skill.
Think Tank – These highly interactive and discussion-based sessions provide an opportunity for conversation.

From Access to Inclusion Symposium: A dynamic programme of keynotes, discussion panels, case studies and demonstrations which will take place at Printworks Conference Centre, Dublin Castle from 13^th-14^th May. The Symposium is intended to offer the opportunity to exchange ideas and discover new and innovative ways to include and welcome everyone in the following formats:

Snapshots: 15 minute informal presentations given at round tables with 10-15 participants at a time.
Discussion Panels: 1 hour chaired discussions offering in-depth multiple perspectives on or approaches to a single topic.
Case Studies: 10 minute presentation reflecting on innovative ways to include and welcome everyone.
Demonstrations: 5 minute presentation on a new technology making arts, cultural and visitor experiences accessible.

ADI and The Kennedy Center will accept proposals for any of the summit session types outlined above.

ADI and The Kennedy Center ask that proposals focus on the following themes:

Access Services and Programmes
Accessibility Policy
Aesthetically Accessible Performances, Exhibits or Visitor Experiences
Customer Service and Staff Training
Evaluation and Research
Leadership and Advocacy
Legal Requirements (in different jurisdictions)
Marketing and Audience Development
Education, Outreach and Public Engagement
Organisational Buy-in and Planning
Technology
Universal Design

The Summit audience will include:

Professionals at all levels in the arts, cultural and tourism sectors such as those working in: venues, festivals, galleries, museums, heritage sites and visitor experiences. In addition to those who deliver, programme or present accessible and inclusive experiences, From Access to Inclusion 2020 is relevant for policy makers, funders and administrators who are committed to embedding a more holistic approach to accessible arts and cultural programming at a local, regional, national and international level.

Submitting a proposal:

The deadline for proposals is midnight GMT/UTC, Tuesday 12^th November 2019.

Abstracts must be sent using WeTransfer to Síle Stewart, Arts & Disability Ireland, at sile@adiarts.ie and must contain:

Full name, job title and institution (if applicable)
Email address and telephone number
Personal Biography (150 words max)
Proposed Theme(s)
Proposed Title
Proposed Format
Proposal Abstract (350 words max)

Sessions will be selected by and at the sole discretion of the Summit content committee under the supervision of ADI and The Kennedy Center.

Speakers must be available to present in person from 11^th – 14^th May 2020. The language of the Summit will be English.

Please note that as the Summit will run 11^th-14^th May, presenters may be asked to cover some of their own costs for attending. This may include travel, hotel accommodation, ticketed evening events and meal costs. All arrangements will be outlined in a letter of offer to selected presenters.

Presenters may submit one proposal. Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

The Summit will not address professional development for artists with disabilities or arts education. For resources for artists, please visit the ADI website: www.adiarts.ie.

How to use WeTransfer:

Go to www.wetransfer.com
Add your files: select all of the files you want to submit
Email to: sile@adiarts.ie
Your email: (insert your own email address)
Message: From Access to Inclusion 2020 application – (insert your name)
Click Transfer

You will receive a confirmation email from WeTransfer stating that the files have been sent and a confirmation email when the files are downloaded by ADI.

Find a printable version of the brief and supporting information HERE

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Postponed to 22^nd – 25^th March 2021

From Access to Inclusion 2020 will gather the most thought provoking leaders and advocates in access and inclusion in arts and culture.

This dynamic Summit will be a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and discover new and innovative ways to create accessible and inclusive experiences.

From Access to Inclusion 2020 will include three strands; Capacity Building Workshops, the From Access to Inclusion Symposium and a programme of Evening Cultural Events.

Capacity Building Workshops
11^th and 12^th May, various cultural venues

Participate in a stimulating range of practical workshops run by internationally acknowledged experts.

These intimate workshops, held in Dublin’s world famous cultural institutions will offer a real opportunity to participate and learn. Gain a toolbox of skills which arts and cultural professionals will be able to implement with ease and confidence.

From Access to Inclusion 2020 Symposium
13^th and 14^th May, Dublin Castle

An international gathering of access professionals and advocates exploring how to provide seamless, person-centred experiences in arts and culture, through a dynamic programme of keynotes, discussion panels, case studies and demonstrations. The Symposium offers an unprecedented opportunity to exchange ideas and discover new and innovative ways to include and welcome everyone.

Evening Cultural Events
11^th, 12^th, 13^th and 14^th May, various cultural venues

An exciting programme of Evening Cultural Events will take place from 11^th to 14^th May at various cultural venues across Dublin featuring access and inclusion in action.

This Summit will be essential for professionals at all levels in the arts, cultural and tourism sectors such as those working in: venues, festivals, galleries, museums, heritage sites and visitor experiences. In addition to those who deliver, programme or present accessible and inclusive experiences, From Access to Inclusion 2020 is relevant for policy makers, funders and administrators who are committed to embedding a more holistic approach to accessible arts and cultural programming at a local, regional, national and international level.

Want to get involved? Arts & Disability Ireland and The Kennedy Center are also seeking proposals for From Access to Inclusion 2020 programme. Find out more HERE

Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to be partnering and collaborating with The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Office of VSA,Washington D.C. From Access to Inclusion 2020 is modeled on The Kennedy Center’s conference, Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®), the largest annual convening of access professionals and advocates in North America.

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Photo credit: David Soanes

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In the 6^th year of this funding scheme €30,500 has been awarded to 14 artists with disabilities through New Work, Mentoring and Training awards.

Tia Vellani is a musician and visual artist based in Kilkenny. In partnership with the Alternative Kilkenny Arts Fringe, Tia will create a new work called ‘What is the Sound of One Heart Dancing?’. A dance, music and visual art installation that will take place at the Auxiliary Hospital Kilkenny.

Yvonne Condon is a Cork based visual artist and Crawford Supported Studio member. In partnership with the Crawford Art Gallery and with the support of Cork City Council, Yvonne will create a large scale public artwork, potentially in the Port of Cork.

Mentoring awards give artists the resources to develop a mentoring relationship with another arts professional. Over six months artists work on an element of their practice with their mentor. This year 5 artists received Mentoring awards.

Brianna Hurley is a Kilkenny based visual artist and KCAT Studio member who will work with architect Neasa Hourigan to explore how traditional stone buildings and contemporary architecture can inform her visual art and architecture practice.

Corina Duyn a puppeteer, designer and playwright based in Waterford will work with theatre maker, puppeteer and set designer Emma Fisher to develop her process of creating stories, her puppetry practice and devise accessible ways to operate puppets.

Philip Kenny is a Dublin based writer and spoken word poet who will work with writer Arnold Thomas Fanning to expand his practice and get critical feedback while he works towards creating a new body of work.

Sahaja Budzilla a visual artist based in Co Limerick will work with visual artist Brian Maguire to forge connections with other artists in Ireland and transition to making large scale public sculptures.

Tom O’Sullivan is a Cork based visual artist and Crawford Supported Studio member who will work with visual artist Tom Climent to experience other artist studios and develop his painting practice.

Elizabeth McCormack a Galway based musician will work with vocal coach Michel Durham to build her confidence towards recording material with her band Electric Dreams.

Emilie Conway is a jazz singer, composer and lyricist based in Dublin who will work with percussionist Thomas Duffy to gain a deeper understanding of Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian rhythms.

Íde Ní Shúilleabháin a Cork based visual artist and Crawford Supported Studio member will attend silkscreen and etching workshops at Cork Printmakers.

Karol Mac Gairbheith is a visual artist based in Letterkenny based who will attend a life drawing course at the RHA and a drawing workshop at the Burren College of Art.

Mary Crossin is a harp player based in Co Donegal who will work with Irish harp performer, composer and teacher Dr Janet Harbison to expand her repertoire and ability to compose and arrange music for recording.

Stephen Garland a playwright and performer based in Longford will attend a Creative Writing for Publication course at NUI Maynooth.

Tiernan Jones is a Carlow based musician who will work with composer, performer, songwriter, arranger, producer and teacher Carole Nelson to prepare for Grade 8 clarinet exams and develop his skills as a composer.

‘2019 was the most competitive and successful year of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme. The awards will give 14 artists with disabilities in Ireland the opportunity to realise their creative vision, enter exciting collaborations and acquire new skills.’ Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland.

The Arts and Disability Connect scheme is funded by the Arts Council and managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. The next round of Arts and Disability Connect will be in 2020.

Image caption: Caitríona (Tara Breathnach) and Mara (Orla Ní Thiobraide) in a scene from NoRopes Theatre Company’s production of Wake at the Town Hall Studio. Wake was directed by Mairéad Folan and written by Deirdre Sullivan. Mairéad Folan received an Arts and Disability Connect New Work award in 2018 and a Mentoring Award in 2017. Photo: Seán Ó Mainnín, 2019

Image of Creative Connections Conference Galway 2016. Photo: Reg Gordon

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Application deadline has now passed.

Arts & Disability Ireland is seeking to recruit an Event Manager for the specified purpose of organising and managing our From Access to Inclusion summit, to be held in Dublin in May 2020.

From Access to Inclusion 2020, An Arts and Culture Summit will be an international gathering of access professionals and advocates exploring how to provide seamless, person-centred experiences in arts and culture, through a dynamic programme of keynotes, discussion panels, case studies, workshops and demonstrations. Accompanied by an evening programme of cultural events featuring access and inclusion in action, the Summit will draw together professionals at all levels in the arts, cultural and tourism sectors such as those working in: venues, festivals, galleries, museums, heritage sites and visitor experiences. In addition to those who deliver, programme or present accessible and inclusive experiences.

Reporting directly to ADI’s Executive Director, the Event Manager will be responsible for planning, organising and implementing the Summit, and will also assist with managing a range of ADI’s other projects and services from time to time.

Event Manager Job Description

Applications should include a cover letter and CV and can be sent as follows:

by email: recruitment@adiarts.ie, containing Events Manager in the subject line.
in hard copy, marked for the attention of Mr. Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director, Arts & Disability Ireland, 4th Floor, Sean O’Casey Centre, St. Mary’s Road North, East Wall, Dublin 3.

Closing Date for Applications: 4pm, Monday, 27th May, 2019.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 4th June, 2019.

ADI’s Recruitment Privacy Notice is available for download here.

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In association with Creative Ireland Programme & Tipperary County Council

‘Immersion & Inclusion’ is a two-month creative engagement that develops performances to connect creative practitioners with young people and their communities that often find themselves outside creative performance & engagement. It is our ambition is to support artists to develop their performance into an inclusive and engaged piece for these audiences and their families. This may include elements such as Sign Language, Sensory Experiences or even Non-Verbal Communication with a view to tour to regional venues across Ireland.

The Open Call is for creative practitioners whose work currently engages with young audiences, ages 5+ in all performance disciplines, including but not limited to theatre, puppetry, spoken word, literature dance etc.

The project is a two-month creative engagement, July – August 2019, in which we will provide a space for a practitioner to develop their performance to be an inclusive engaged piece suitable to tour regional venues. We would also provide financial support of €2,500 to enable them to concentrate on their artistic practice. In addition to a stipend, the project includes an accommodation allowance of €500, a private office with wifi, use of the Nenagh Arts Centre facilities, (Dance Studio & Theatre) as well as administrative and communication support with an aim to develop a marketing pack to include images and video.

Access to the Arts Centre is available Monday – Friday, from 9am -5.30pm, some Saturday’s & evenings may also be available.

Required:

a minimum of 3 days a week is spent at Nenagh Arts Centre
the Creative Ireland, Tipperary County Council & Nenagh Arts Centre Logo’s appear on all marketing material
the opening performance is held at Nenagh Arts Centre
closing date is Friday 31st May at 5pm

Nenagh Arts Centre are passionate about supporting the creation of work that not only increases access to the arts but more importantly increases participation, engagement & inclusion.

Apply Here

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Project Arts Centre and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce the recipient of the REALISE production award for theatre and contemporary dance artists with disabilities.

The REALISE Award is designed to support the production and presentation of ambitious new work by individual artists. It represents an exciting opportunity to present ambitious new work that reflects the complexity of contemporary life in Ireland to a diverse audience.

The final recipient is playwright Roderick Ford. Roderick will receive a production award of €40,000 for production of his play The Spider’s House at Project Arts Centre in February 2020.

Speaking about his successful application, Roderick Ford said:
“Winning the Realise Production Award was a delight; especially as Project is the ideal venue for my gothic play The Spider’s House.”

Project’s Artistic Director, Cian O’Brien, said:
“I have been following Roderick’s work for a number of years and I am thrilled to be presenting his play in February 2020. He will collaborate with a top notch team of theatre artists to bring this dark, gothic tale to our audiences.”

Speaking on behalf of Arts & Disability Ireland, Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director, said:
“I have watched Roderick’s transition from poet to playwright over the last 4 years and the transformation has been astounding. Through Arts and Disability Connect, a scheme ADI manages on behalf of the Arts Council, he received funding which culminated in a series of readings in 2017 and 2018. To see Roderick be awarded the opportunity to take The Spider’s House to full production at Project Arts Centre is a huge pleasure for us at Arts & Disability Ireland and an enormous achievement for him.”

Project Arts Centre and Arts & Disability Ireland have a long history of supporting artists and are working together to support artists with disabilities to produce high quality work for presentation.

colour photograph

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Creative Enquiry – Arts and Older People is an investigative collaborative venture that creatively explores fresh approaches to arts engagement with older people and advances best practice models.

The focus of the Creative Enquiry is three artist-residency and older-people-engagement projects, hosted by three distinct arts organisations: the city-based multi-disciplinary Cork Midsummer Festival; Music Alive, a county-wide arts and mental health organisation; and Sirius Arts Centre, an arts venue located in the heritage town of Cobh.

The Creative Enquiry – Arts and Older People programme draws on the creative inputs and specialist know-how of the different partners that make up the consortium. Creative Enquiry is an initiative of two Cork based local authorities, Cork City Council and Cork County Council arts offices in strategic partnership with, Age & Opportunity, the National organisation that promotes more positive attitudes to older people and, the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare-Cork South Community Work Department, facilitating community health and well-being initiatives, and, the three independent partner arts organisations.

The Creative Enquiry partners share the following value statement:

There is a universal right to participate in arts and culture. The arts has the potential to be transformative, to change and influence the attitudes and experiences of citizens. The arts can impact our wellbeing through the whole of our lives.

To sustain the arts we need to interrogate how art is made accessible, innovative and engaging. We need to embed access to the arts in our values as organisations but also action those values in what we deliver. Sometimes this is about policy development, about advocacy, about inspiration, about co-creating and sometimes this is about addressing practical barriers.

The Creative Enquiry consortium would like to investigate this statement and the following questions as part of its artist residency and older people engagement programme:

What are the barriers to participation in the arts for older people?

How can we improve pathways for older people to engage in more arts projects?
How can we assist older people to overcome barriers and increase their access and participation in arts projects addressing both creative and social needs?

How can we characterise quality arts engagement for older people?

How can we define ‘meaningful’ and ‘quality’ opportunities in the context of the arts and older people?
How then can we facilitate meaningful opportunities for creative engagement and dialogue with older people?
What do models of best practice look like in the context of your host residency organisation?
How can we ensure the exploration and development of quality arts opportunities with older people?
How can we create reciprocal relationships between artists, arts organisations and older people?

What do the arts offer us as we age?

Do the arts offer something different from other types of social activities that contribute to the wellbeing of older people?
Does the experience of participating in the arts offer something different to other ways of experiencing the arts?

We invite artists to respond creatively to the above statement and questions.

Criteria

The artist is invited to interrogate and challenge this statement and questions as part of a residency with one of the three host organisations, either: Cork Midsummer Festival; Music Alive; or, Sirius Arts Centre.
We expect this response to be an experimental, creative and innovative process rather than a formal research response.
We expect an outcome to be presented within each host organisation.
The artist is required to document the residency ( e.g. through image, text and the spoken word) in conjunction with the project manager, to feed into a final collaborative publication.
As part of the residency there will be collaborative sharing event between partners and a publication launch.

For further details on the residency opportunities and how to apply, view the information document by clicking here. Full details on the specific Cork Midsummer Festival residency as part of Creative Enquiry, and how to apply, can be found here.

Creative Enquiry – Arts and Older People is financially supported by: the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon Invitation to Collaboration scheme; Cork City Council; Cork County Council; and, the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare-Cork South Community Work Department, with in kind support from Age & Opportunity, and each host arts organisation.

(Photo details: Charlie who lives in Kilcroney Lodge at Saint Joseph’s Shankill, as part of Age & Opportunity’s Artist in Residence in a Care Setting 2019. Image by Motoko Fujita.)

Touch Tour at Abbey Theatre

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Abbey Theatre introduces Touch Tours at audio described performances of Richard III, Asking For It and Come From Away.

Richard III by Druid Shakespeare
Saturday 27th October, 2018.
Performance starts at 2pm. Touch Tour at 12.45pm
To book tickets contact Lisa Farrelly on 01 87 87 222, or email lisa.farrelly@abbeytheatre.ie
Read more here

Asking For It, the stage adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s best selling novel
Saturday 24th November, 2018.
Performance starts at 2pm. Touch Tour at 12.45pm.
To book tickets contact Lisa Farrelly on 01 87 87 222, or email lisa.farrelly@abbeytheatre.ie. Tickets selling fast!
Read more here

Come From Away, Winner of Best Musical across North America and Critics Pick – New York Times.
Saturday 19th January 2019
Performance starts at 2pm. Touch Tour at 12.45pm
To book tickets contact Lisa Farrelly on 01 87 87 222, or email lisa.farrelly@abbeytheatre.ie.
Read more here

What is a Touch Tour?
Audiences are invited to attend a touch tour of the set, the stage, props and costumes so that audiences with visual impairments can experience and contextualise the stage. Patrons will explore the space, and may like to handle selected props, costumes and furniture.

Who can take a touch tour?
Touch tours are open to blind and visually impaired theatregoers attending the show plus their companions. Up to 10 people can take a tour.

How much does it costs?
It is free to customers who have purchased a ticket to for the performance.

How do I book?
Please contact Lisa Farrelly on 01 87 87 222, or email lisa.farrelly@abbeytheatre.ie.

When?
Meet in the foyer of the Abbey Theatre to begin the tour at 12.45pm on the day of the audio described performance.

In order for the Abbey to give you advice on best seating for all accessible performances, please contact the Box Office on 01 87 87 222 , or via email lisa.farrelly@abbeytheatre.ie. You can also contact Lisa by telephone on 01 887 2216.

Performers in Trickster Ignite Galway at the Black Box

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Project Arts Centre and Arts & Disability Ireland announce a major new production award for theatre and contemporary dance artists with disabilities. This award is designed to support the production and presentation of ambitious new work by individual artists with disabilities.

What does the Realise Production Award include?
• Production award of €40,000 for presentation of new work at Project Arts Centre
• Production workshop (open to all interested applicants pre-application)
• Mentoring support from consultant producer for 4 short-listed artists prior to final application
• Post-application production support for the successful applicant

Deadline for expression of interest application:
Thursday, 15th November, 2018 at 4pm
Expression of interest application form and guidelines will be available to download from 15th October.

For Project Arts Centre, this is an exciting opportunity to extend its supports for artists, and to present ambitious new work that reflects the complexity of contemporary life in Ireland to a diverse audience. This award is supported by the Project 50 Commissioning Fund.

Arts & Disability Ireland have identified the need for a production award through its experience of managing the Arts and Disability Connect funding scheme for artists with disabilities. This production award will fund an artist to produce and present a new work, which is beyond the scope of the current scheme.

What artforms are eligible?
Individual artists with disabilities working in theatre and contemporary dance are eligible to apply.

Timeline and application information
Artists are invited to submit an expression of interest application by Thursday, 15th November at 4pm. Expression of interest application form and guidelines are available to download from 15th October at projectartscentre.ie/realiseaward or adiarts.ie/realise-production-award

If you require further information please contact:
Arts & Disability Ireland
Amie Lawless by email amie@adiarts.ie or telephone 01 850 9002 or
Project Arts Centre
Orla Moloney/ Cian O’Brien by email realise@projectartscentre.ie or by telephone 01 881 9613.

Entropy by Katie Moore at Linenhall Arts Centre

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The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Arts & Disability Ireland announce recipients of the Arts and Disability Connect scheme 2018

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

2018 marks the fifth year of this Arts Council scheme managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. €29,052 has been awarded to thirteen artists under the scheme’s three strands: New Work, Mentoring and Training.

Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland says, “At the heart of every Arts and Disability Connect award is the chance to engage in new learning experiences, build new working relationships and to reach new audiences. Above all else it is an opportunity for all thirteen artists to further develop their professional practice and reach a new level of creative ambition”.

Mairéad Folan and Vukašin Nedeljković have been awarded New Work awards.

Mairéad, the Galway based Artistic Director of NoRopes Theatre Company, will stage the world première of Wake by award-winning author Deirdre Sullivan in partnership with Town Hall Theatre. Inspired by the barren landscape of rural Galway, Wake offers a feminist’s take on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Little Mermaid, to explore the ways in which society approaches unspoken things.

Vukašin has received a New Work award to present photographic work which documents Direct Provision Centres in Ireland. In collaboration with Unit 4 at Basic Space in Dublin, Vukašin will present new photographs and sound recordings during Refugee Week to critically foreground accounts of exile, displacement, trauma, memory and marginalisation under the Direct Provision scheme.

Seven artists received Mentoring awards.

Dr. Noel O’Connell, a playwright based in Co Limerick, will work with Dr. Marie Kelly and Fionn Woodhouse at University College Cork to develop an ethnodrama which transforms real-life stories of deaf peoples’ experiences of marginalisation.

David Joyce, a Galway based playwright, will work with Eileen Gibbons to stage rehearsed readings of his scripts and to progress and broaden his writing abilities.

Suzie McCormack, a visual artist based in Dublin, will work with visual and textile artist Maeve Mulrennan in Galway to develop journaling, curating and portfolio development technique to progress and expand her studio practice.

Ruth Larkin, a visual artist from Dublin, will work with Offaly artist Ann Lawlor to explore the themes of time, cycles, and science as well as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man concept in a Sci-Art context.

Thomas Martin from Co Wexford will team up with mentor Sylvia Cullen to develop his writing practice through an exploration of non-rhyming poetry, blank verse and a satirical approach to short story writing in a current affairs context.

Maureen Portsmouth (Mo Harte), a performance artist, audio describer, and dancer based in Dublin will work with mentor Amanda Coogan to explore methods of accessing kinetic wisdom and endurance through embodied arts practice.

Sean Hillen, a photo artist based in Dublin, will work with Tanya Kiang of the Gallery of Photography to develop a set of curatorial and networking skills to apply to editing and mounting exhibitions, and perhaps a publication, of his ambitious and well-known works.

Four artists were awarded Training awards:

Mohetia Furniss, a visual and performance artist based in Co Leitrim will undergo training courses with sound artist Cathal Roche, soprano Eunjoo Goh, and jazz vocalist Lauren Kinsella to support her work towards a multimedia installation exhibit.

Roderick Ford, a playwright based in Dublin and previous recipient of Mentoring and New Work awards, will continue his transition from poetry to playwriting with the support of a series of dramaturgical masterclasses with Pamela McQueen at The New Theatre in Dublin.

Emilie Conway, a jazz performer based in Dublin will train with Gearóidín Breathnach and Karan Casey during the Blas programme at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick to bring elements of Irish traditional song, storytelling and Sean-Nós into her professional practice.

Caroline Naughton, a visual artist from Co Roscommon, will work with visual artist Danika Casey to develop painting and paper-making techniques to apply to her practice.

The ADC scheme is funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. It offers artists the opportunity to connect with other practitioners or venues, make a change in their practice, ‘step up’ in terms of scope and scale, reach new audiences and to engage in mentoring and training. It has been created in response to the changing needs of the sector in the Republic of Ireland and in line with Arts Council commitments outlined in its Arts and Disability Policy 2012 – 2016.

Banner Image: Entropy by Katie Moore

Entropy was supported by an Arts and Disability Connect New Work award in 2017.
It was exhibited in Linenhall Arts Centre 4th May – 2nd June 2018. For more information, click here.

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The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the BAI’s Access Rules, which govern the amount of subtitling, Irish Sign Language and audio description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to the public.

The objective of the rules is to increase the understanding and enjoyment of television for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted and those who are hard of hearing and partially sighted. The consultation will remain open until 27th July 2018 and the BAI is seeking responses from the general public, representative groups and broadcasters. The revisions are being proposed following the completion in 2017 of a statutory review of the Access Rules.

Commenting, chairperson of the BAI, Professor Pauric Travers, said: “The Access Rules have been in place since 2005 and they have contributed significantly to increasing access to and enjoyment of television services for target groups. Advances in technology and the switchover to digital TV in 2012 have also provided new methods by which broadcasters can provide programming to the Irish viewing audience, which includes those who avail of access services. However, we must seek to build on what has been achieved to date.

“The review undertaken by the BAI as part of this consultation found that the quantity and range of service provision on television services continues to increase annually. The quality and reliability of access service provision has also improved over this time, but challenges remain in this area. The review also found that the rules are, for the most part, in line with best practice at European and international level, with new approaches from other jurisdictions having informed the proposed changes to the Rules.”

Chief executive of the BAI, Michael O’Keeffe said: “Previously, the Access Rules contained target ranges that set out the percentage of programming that should have subtitling, Irish Sign Language or audio description on each television channel. It is now being proposed that rather than a range, a specific target figure will be set. Specific target figures have been set out for the main broadcasters for 2019 and 2020, while the BAI will consult with broadcasters with regard to targets for the 2021 – 2023 period.

The draft Rules also include a proposed obligation for TV3 to provide Irish Sign Language, reflecting the stage of development of the broadcaster and the new status given to this language in the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. Under the proposed changes, broadcasters will also be required to have an Access Liaison Officer to improve the communication flow between stations and access users.

Submissions can be made by email, online or in hard copy. Online submissions can be made via the BAI website, by email to access@bai.ie or hard copy submissions can be made in writing to the Access Officer, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin D02 XP29. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 27th July 2018. Copies of the draft Rules and Irish Sign Language and audio versions of the consultation document are available here. A copy of the consultation in Braille is available upon request from the BAI.

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The Arts Council and Arts & Disability Ireland are delighted to announce the 2018 deadline for Arts and Disability Connect, a funding scheme for artists with disabilities.

Specifically targeted at individual artists with disabilities, Arts and Disability Connect includes New Work, Mentoring and Training awards. The scheme offers artists the opportunity to: connect with other practitioners or venues; make a change in their practice; ‘step up’ in terms of scope and scale; reach new audiences and to engage in mentoring or training.

Arts and Disability Connect deadline: Thursday 26 April at 5pm

Application forms and guidelines for Arts and Disability Connect are available to download from Monday 5 March.

Arts & Disability Ireland are looking forward to visiting Waterford, Sligo, Ennis, Dublin and Portlaoise to talk to artists with disabilities about this funding scheme.

Information clinics:
Tuesday 13th March, 2pm at Garter Lane, Waterford
Tuesday 20th March, 2pm at The Model, Sligo
Thursday 22nd March, 2pm at Glór, Ennis
Tuesday 27th March, 2pm at Project Arts Centre, Dublin
Wednesday 11th April, 2pm at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise

At these information clinics we will talk through the guidelines, application process and answer any questions artists have about the scheme. Please RSVP in advance to Amie Lawless: amie@adiarts.ie.

If you have any access requirements please let us know. Irish Sign Language, speech to text and a loop system will be available at the Project Arts Centre on Tuesday 27 March. All venues listed are wheelchair accessible.

Arts and Disability Connect is funded by the Arts Council and managed by Arts & Disability Ireland.

Further Information Here, or contact Arts & Disability Ireland at 01 850 9002 or email info@adiarts.ie

Tá leaganacha Gaeilge de na foirmeacha iarratais agus treoirlínte ar fáil ach iad a iarraidh.

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Arts & Disability Ireland was among 156 organisations to receive their 2018 Strategic Funding announcements on the 20th December. In addition to an increase of 5.5% on 2017, ADI was invited to participate in Arts Council’s multi-annual Strategic Funding programme.

This 3 year funding announcement from Arts Council will allow ADI in line with our new strategic plan, to scale up our impact, through a series of strategic multi-annual projects between now and 2021. To read our full strategic plan for 2017 – 2021, download Leading Change in Arts and Culture here.

Plans for artists with disabilities include a production award which we hope to pilot with Cork Midsummer Festival and Project Arts Centre in 2018-19. Looking further ahead to 2021 we intend to partner with the Ark to develop an open call commissioning process for artists with disabilities to create new work for children, young people and their families.

For audiences we plan to develop and foster local and regional access partnerships, comprising of a combination of multi-disciplinary arts venues, theatres, galleries, museums and festivals which, with our support, can realise an accessible arts infrastructure and shared accessible programme in their locality or region. The first of these access partnerships will begin in Dublin and Galway in 2018 and will be rolled out to other parts of the country in the proceeding years.

In 2020 ADI will host an international conference facilitating a peer to peer exchange with a range of arts and cultural access professionals and advocates from Ireland and abroad. The conference will draw on our longstanding relationship with the annual Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference organised by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C., who have committed a budget of $100,000 towards realising the first LEAD Conference outside the United States.

As ADI embarks on this new multi-annual Strategic Funding journey with the Arts Council, we want to acknowledge the work of our board, staff, freelancers and partners who have contributed to bringing us to this point in our development.

Pádraig Naughton
Executive Director
Arts & Disability Ireland

Audiences on the banks of the River Lee for Cork Ignite, Culture Night 2015

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Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI) commissioned research to gain an in-depth understanding of how people with disabilities nationwide engage with culture in its broadest sense and with the arts in particular.

The research consisted of a large scale quantitative survey administered via an online survey and interviews in late Spring 2017. A total of 523 people completed the survey. Respondents came from across the disability spectrum. The percentages with particular conditions or difficulties are similar to those in the National Disability Authority’s 2013 Survey except that people with a difficulty with pain, breathing, or any other long lasting illness or condition are under-represented.

Do people with disabilities in Ireland want to engage with the arts? If so, is it worth investing in them?
There are 643,000 people with disabilities in Ireland. That’s 13.5% of the population. The assumption behind ADI’s research was that most don’t engage with the arts. But they do.
86% of people responding to our survey said they had attended at least one arts event including cinema in the past 12 months. If we exclude cinema, it’s 79%. That’s way more than non-disabled people.(1) 90% could describe where they could see live performances or exhibitions in their local area. 37% had been to a live performance or exhibition in the past month.

Why the surprise?
Well, it’s not because our respondents were telling us what they thought we wanted to hear. We were careful not to signal in advance that this was a survey about arts attendance. Instead, we talked about “going out”, asking about a wide range of activities including eating out and going to a garden centre so we don’t think that our sample was skewed. The people who responded could have been overestimating their attendance but that still implies an enthusiasm for the arts, even if they are going less often than they think.
We think we know the reason. It’s because 20 disability and impairment organisations helped us get the survey out to people with disabilities. This means that everyone who answered the survey was an active member of a group. And active people tend to do things – lots of different things, for example both sports and the arts. (2)

But why haven’t we noticed all these people with disabilities in our theatres, concert halls, galleries and museums?
Our survey data suggests lots of reasons. Many disabilities are hidden and our respondents appear surprisingly undemanding. Most seem to be willing to put up with a lot because they want to go to a particular event or activity with their nondisabled friends and family. Besides, many don’t seem to think of themselves as disabled, even though they have impairments. A fifth of our respondents said they were severely limited by their condition but a third said they were not limited at all. It seems that limitations can be about perception. They don’t appear to affect whether someone attended the arts or not. Age was a much bigger factor with those aged over 65 most likely to have attended a live performance or exhibition and those aged under 25 and between 35 and 44 least likely – just like non-disabled arts audiences.
When we talk about access to the arts for people with disabilities, we tend to think in terms of exclusion. It is important and other research emphasises the strong link between social isolation and disability.(3) Because of this, we tend to focus on developing arts participation. But – and it’s a big but – that’s not the issue here.

It’s about attendance, not just participation
Our respondents are arts attenders and almost two thirds want to attend more. (4)

Participation seems to go hand in hand with attendance. 87% of our respondents who had participated in the arts in the past 12 months had also attended a live performance or exhibition in the same period. 64% of those who had attended also participated. If they don’t attend, then they are unlikely to participate. (5)

So I think we all need to rethink our attitude to access.

It makes good business sense to make the arts attendance accessible to people with disabilities – that’s 643,000 of them, remember. 86% already attend and 64% want to do so more often. If we made it possible for just half of them to come one more time, bringing a friend or family member with them, then together we have the potential to earn an additional €7m. (6)

So what’s stopping them?
Our research underlines how important it is not to see people with disabilities as a single group. Their experiences are so different. And even people with a common impairment talk about different things. So, sorry, there’s no magic wand.

Access
13% of our respondents would go to arts events more often if they didn’t have to battle with inadequate access. Many attend anyway but talk about how stressful it is to have to resolve access issues for themselves. For 22% of our respondents it’s poor health that stops them, for example experiencing low energy levels or pain. They say inadequate access makes it worse.

But it’s surprising how lots of small changes would make a huge difference. Like checking the hearing loop is working properly, making sure there are enough seats in public areas, creating a quiet area with carpet to absorb sound and ensuring that those in the area for wheelchair users can still see when people in front of them stand up.

No-one to go with
Some things are harder to resolve. 22% talked about having no-one to go with or not having enough support.

“I am ill and without enough support eg a PA and if I had this I would be enabled.”

“I live alone, friends deceased, no-one to go with, feel the odd-one-out because of my health and mobility problems and people don’t want to know.”

But there are many examples of formal and informal “buddy” schemes where arts enthusiasts support others to attend.

Transport
Another surprise is that many of our respondents don’t find distance a problem, with two thirds of our respondents travelling more than 10km on their last visit to a live performance or exhibition. Just 7% of our respondents said that there were no accessible venues in their area that they could get to easily. But transport is a challenge for 15%:

“Being much less able to get around by myself than I was (I can only use my scooter on the Luas; there isn’t enough turning space on the bus to get off easily).”

Money
25% of our respondents say they can’t afford to go out more often. Those who are severely limited in everyday activities tend to go to the arts less often and are less likely to have been recently. Money is not the only thing that stops them but they are less likely to work and so are more likely to have limited incomes. They are also more likely to incur additional costs, for example needing a taxi to get to and from the event. Not all people with disabilities need discounted tickets, but for some they make a big difference.

No information
Two thirds of our respondents find out what is happening in their area through personal contacts. This means that people who are socially isolated are likely to remain so as they are not part of these word of mouth networks.

It’s not just about barriers
94% of our respondents attended at least one artform more often five years ago. Sometimes that’s because they are more limited by their condition. But for many it’s because their tastes have changed. So, motivations are just as important as barriers.

But access is not a motivation. Just 8% of our respondents said that a good night out involves resolving some kind of access issue. 49% said they go out for social experiences. 69% say they go to live performances or exhibitions to be entertained or to enjoy the atmosphere. Our audiences don’t think about access unless it gets in the way of having a good time.

So are we talking to people with disabilities about the right things? Our first job is to persuade them that the arts event is worth the money and the effort. Then we can explain how we have made both the event and the social experience accessible to them.

And are we talking to the right people? People with disabilities want to be included when their friends and family go out. So we should be talking to all of our audiences about how we make our activities accessible. And if we work in partnership with disability and impairment organisations we could start those essential conversations with active people with disabilities about what access to the arts means to them.
To download this article, click here.

Want to know more? Download the full Going Out Survey report here.
Arts & Disability Ireland commissioned Heather Maitland to conduct the research.

______________________

References:
1: 64% of the general population went to an arts event including arthouse cinema but excluding mainstream cinema in he past 12 months (Kantar Media, The Arts in Irish Life – 2015 Research Update, Arts Audiences / the Arts Council, 2016)
2: The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s large scale survey shows that 77% of people who had participated in sport in the past four weeks had attended at least one arts event in the past 12 months. Taking Part Survey: Participation Across Sectors consulted on 02/11/17
3: The Healthy Ireland Survey 2015 research report emphasised the strong link between social connectedness and physical and mental health and wellbeing. A National Survey of Public Attitudes to Disability in Ireland, NDA, 2011 reported on social inclusion and barriers to participation in social activities for people with disabilities.
4: 64% would like to do at least one arts activity more often with 46% wanting to go to a cinema more often, 40% a music concert or gig and 37% a play.
5: 72% of non-attenders did not participate.
6: The average price paid for a ticket across 52 festivals, theatres and arts centres in 2016 was £17.82, Theatre Forum, Audiences for the performing arts in Ireland 2016, 2017

Ruth Le Gear, Serendipity, 2015

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Arts & Disability Ireland will launch it’s new strategic plan Leading Change in Arts and Culture 2017 – 2021 at the Project Arts Centre on 30th November 2017.

Leading Change in Arts and Culture: Strategic Plan 2017-2021 aims to take us further towards realising our ambitious vision. To date, we have focused on effecting change by embedding knowledge and legacy in all the partnerships we have been involved in. From this point on we will seek to scale up our impact, in partnership with others, to achieve transformational change across the arts sector.

Our ambition is to see innovative art by people with disabilities throughout the country, not just in pockets or particular places. This we intend to achieve through a series of strategic multi-annual projects that will result in greater visibility for the work of artists with disabilities. In parallel we are determined to embed a more holistic approach to accessible arts programming at a local, regional and national level.

Senator John Dolan CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland will launch Leading Change in Arts and Culture, setting a national context for ADI’s 5-year plan.

We invite you to enjoy a unique performance of The M House by Equinox Theatre Company which toured to national acclaim earlier this year. Louise Bruton will give an activist’s response to ADI’s Going Out Survey, which set out to understand how people with disabilities engage with arts and culture in Ireland. And we will reflect on past successful partnerships with a screening of the short film 3 Ignite Commissions.

Thursday 30th November 2017, 4pm
Project Arts Centre
Temple Bar
Dublin 2

The launch will be followed by light refreshments at 5pm.

Audio description, ISL and speech to text will be provided. Project Arts Centre is a wheelchair accessible building. Please let us know if you have any other access requirements by contacting ramona@adiarts.ie

Please RSVP by clicking here

We look forward to seeing you there.
Padraig Naughton
Executive Director

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axis: Ballymun are pleased to announce their performing arts residency Playground for artists with disabilities. This residency is designed to support the professional development and the creation of new work by performing artists with disabilities.

The awarded residency will take place in axis: Ballymun between January and June 2018 (up to 6 months). Following several successful residencies across various disciplines, axis will offer a residency and bursary to an artist with a disability who is interested in developing their performing arts practice.

What does the residency entail?

• Studio space (shared studio space in axis Dance Studio, Recording Studio, Art Studio and Theatre subject to requirements and availability).
• Office space and administrative support may be incorporated in to the above on request.
• Presentation/Performance space*
• An artists’ fee of €4,000 (to include any materials and/or production costs).
• Access budget of up to €1,000, if required, to facilitate the award recipient’s access requirements.**

*Technical and presentation support to be agreed in partnership with the artist. Technical and time requirements depending, this may incur a chargeback of staff/engineer costs, but theatre hire will be waived.

**Please note that the residency is not resourced to support artists with accommodation, transport and access requirement costs beyond the amount set out above. This residency was initially developed in partnership with Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI), who continue to support the scheme in an advisory capacity. This residency is made possible thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Ireland.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 14th December, 2017.

Timeline and application info

This residency will commence in January 2018 and the duration, spaces and access requirements will be mapped out dependant on the selected proposal with the artist and axis staff. Resident artists are expected to engage in on-going communication and feedback with Axis and will be asked to share their work/progress via communication through our websites, social networks and other platforms. This communication will be discussed with the artist in advance so as to safeguard the artist and allow space for their work to develop through all parts of the process.

Eligibility: Irish based performing artists with disabilities of all disciplines aged 18+ are eligible to apply.**

To apply please send:

• A letter of interest: Explain why you think you would benefit from this residency award and identify a facet of your practice you would like to develop over the course of the residency. Please include a rough timeline, bearing in mind that this can be spread out over 6 months, or involve shorter, more intensive periods, subject to availability of spaces and resources. (.doc, max 500 words)

• CV (.doc, max 2 pages)

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

• List of enclosed supporting documentation included in the application in a word file (.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: leigh.hussey@axisballymun.ie.

4. Enter your own email address.

5. Add a message: ‘Playground 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 axis.

For further information contact:
niamh.nic@axisballymun.ie / Tel: 01 883 2148 or
leigh.hussey@axisballymun.ie / Tel: 01 883 2123

http://www.axisballymun.ie/whatson/projects/playground

About axis: Ballymun

Located at the heart of Ballymun, axis is an arts venue, a production company, an arts development organisation, a community resource centre, and is home to a number of community development organisations. axis programmes at the point of excellence and inclusion seeking opportunity for artistic innovation and access for those interested in participation in the arts whenever possible. There is no division of importance in its programme between arts development and mainstream programming. axis welcomes everyone from all over Ireland and internationally to join in a learning organisation that acknowledges the creativity of everyone.

photograph of Ruth McCreery

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This September we say goodbye to Ruth McCreery, a longstanding and valued theatre and live performance captioner.

We thank Ruth for her years of service to ADI, the arts sector and to all the audiences she has made the arts accessible too. Ruth has shown ‘unflappable’ commitment to access over her 9 years working with us. Her calm and professional approach to her work meant her colleagues, audiences, venue managers, directors, producers, technicians, actors and everyone she came into contact with found her a joy to work with.

Ruth was one of 2 captioners who trained for Arts & Disability Ireland in 2008, when we commissioned training through Stagetext, the main provider of captioning in the UK. During her time providing access for audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing, Ruth has captioned in theatres up and down Ireland – from Siamsa Tíre in Tralee, Co Kerry to An Grianán in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. You would also regularly find her high up above the audience, in the tech box of the Abbey Theatre, where 77 performances have been captioned since they introduced the service for audiences in 2007.

We asked Ruth to give a little insight into her time as captioner before she retires!

Why did you become a captioner?

I had been working with the National Association for the Deaf (now DeafHear) for some years as an electronic note taker for deaf and hard of hearing people. I was aware that captioning for the theatre was coming to Ireland and that Arts & Disability Ireland were planning to train some captioners. I thought this sounded really interesting and, as it was already in the area I was working, I decided to express my interest and subsequently applied for the position… the rest is history!

What did you like about being a captioner?

What I liked most was the fact that captioning gives deaf and hard of hearing people the same opportunity to enjoy a live theatre performance just like everyone else. I’ve enjoyed so much variety in the work, from Shakespeare to musicals! I’ve also enjoyed working in different venues and meeting many interesting people in the arts world whose paths I might never have crossed.

What were the biggest challenges about being a captioner?

For me, one of the biggest challenges when captioning a live performance, was to ensure to keep in time with the actors so the text appeared exactly as the actors were speaking. To display text too soon could potentially ruin an important punch line!! Also, each captioned performance brought different challenges, one example is when actors ad lib!!

What type of live performance did you enjoy captioning the most?

To be honest, the performances I enjoyed captioning most were the ones I would choose to see myself!

Were there any standout moments during your captioning career?

An equipment malfunction ten minutes before a performance was due to begin – that’s a standout moment I won’t forget! Another was recently when a gentleman passed on his appreciation of captioning and expressed how it had given him a memorable experience.

Ruth will deliver her last captioned performance for Katie Roche by Teresa Deevy at the Abbey Theatre on Saturday 23rd September at 2pm. Book tickets here.

Find out more about upcoming accessible arts events here

What is captioning?
Captioning gives deaf and hard of hearing people access to live performances and screenings. It is similar to television and film subtitling.

Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is displayed on one or more caption units situated on, above or next to the stage.

As well as dialogue, the captions include the name of the character who is speaking or singing, as well as descriptions of any sound effects and any safety announcements. In addition to assisting people who are deaf or hard of hearing, captioned performances have been found to benefit foreign visitors and students who are studying the play or learning to speak English.

The History of captioning in Ireland
In 2006 ADI secured capital funding from the Arts Council to purchase audio description and captioning equipment as well as a portable loop system. At this time, audio describers and captioners were brought in from Northern Ireland and the UK, and it was not until 2008/2009 that a locally based pool of two captioners and three audio describers was realised, when UK companies Stagetext and the Audio Description Association were commissioned to audition and train in Dublin.

In 2007 the Abbey Theatre premiered the first captioned performance, a new version of The Playboy of the Western World. Between 2011 and 2016, ADI has worked with 33 venues across Ireland to deliver accessible performances to audiences with disabilities. We will continue to work with our venue and festival partners to ensure that audiences with disabilities enjoy seamless, holistic and person-centred experiences.

Image of audience at the screening of Silent Moves at Ballina Arts Centre November 2014

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Arts & Disability Ireland is conducting a large scale survey in collaboration with disability and arts organisations this April and May. The research aims to understand how people with disabilities engage with arts and culture in Ireland.

If you would like to help us, please take part in the survey. It will take you about ten minutes to complete.

Complete the Survey

Why are we doing this survey?

Arts & Disability Ireland is working towards all arts, and arts venues becoming fully accessible experiences for audiences with disabilities. We therefore need a better understanding of how people with disabilities across Ireland engage with culture in its broadest sense, including the arts. This survey will help.

The Going Out Survey is the first large scale quantitative research in Ireland looking at how people with disabilities engage with the arts. It is an online survey designed and distributed in partnership with disability organisations. It asks:
• how often people go out
• what they do when they are out
• motivations and barriers to going out
• hopes and preferences
• how people find out about opportunities to go out

Irish Sign language Interpretation available. Click here to take the survey with Irish Sign Language video translations

Easy to Read Guide available. Click here to download an Easy to Read Guide to the survey. It is also available as a Word doc.

The Going Out Survey is written in Plain English and has been approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)

For more information about the Going Out Survey contact Leah Johnston on email leah@adiarts.ie or by phone (01) 8509002

Background
The Going Out Survey builds on a programme of qualitative research carried out by Grogan Research Ltd in 2015 It looked at arts and culture engagement by people with disabilities living in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area. The research was funded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, HSE Arts and Health Partnership, ADI and dlr Social Inclusion Office.
The current national research project aims to explore how far these findings are replicated (or not) throughout Ireland. ADI has commissioned Heather Maitland, arts consultant to lead it. Heather has experience with research, and audience development for people with disabilities and has worked with the Irish theatre sector as an audience development consultant.

This research is funded by the Arts Council as part of the Touring and Dissemination of Work scheme.

Heather Maitland is an arts consultant, author, trainer and Associate Fellow at the Centre for Cultural Policy Studies, University of Warwick.
She supported over 100 arts organisations as head of two of the UK’s audience development agencies, and has been helping Irish arts organisations develop audiences for more than ten years.
Heather supported Shape, the UK’s arts and disability development organisation in audience development and accessible marketing for over five years. She also delivered audience development training for See a Voice, the UK’s development programme for accessible performances.
Heather Maitland has published nine books on arts marketing and audience development and writes a regular column for the Journal of Arts Marketing. She delivers seminars and workshops the world over.

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

2017 marks the fourth year of this Arts Council scheme managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. €29,000 has been awarded to eleven artists under the schemes three strands: New Work, Mentoring and Training.

Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director, Arts & Disability Ireland says, “All of these eleven artists are striving to move forward in their careers and in their professional practice. Through the Arts and Disability Connect scheme they will acquire new techniques, explore new approaches, develop partnerships and make new work. With the support of this scheme all of these artists are on an ambitious and innovative journey.”

The ADC scheme is funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and managed by Arts & Disability Ireland. It offers artists the opportunity to connect with other practitioners or venues, make a change in their practice, ‘step up’ in terms of scope and scale, reach new audiences and to engage in mentoring and training.

Dancer Áine Stapleton and visual artist Katie Moore have been awarded New Work awards.

Áine Stapleton will use the award to develop a new dance piece called ‘13 Lines’ in partnership with Dance Ireland and The James Joyce Centre in Dublin. ‘13 Lines’ which is a working title, will explore the life of Lucia Joyce between the 1920s and 1950s. Lucia, a professional dancer, was the daughter of Irish writer James Joyce. In the 1930’s she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was institutionalised in psychiatric hospitals until her death in 1982.

Katie Moore has been awarded a New Work award to create a new visual art installation in partnership with the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. Katie uses textiles, scale and sound to create delicate and thought provoking installations. It is Katie’s hope that this new piece will acknowledge the infants and children discovered at the St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co. Galway.

Four artists received Mentoring awards:

Brid Heffernan, a visual artist and member of the Cúig studios at Mayfield Arts Centre in Cork, will work with visual and textile artist Valentina Gambardella. Together they will explore Brid’s love of fashion and textiles towards making wearable art with a Lady Gaga wow factor.

Jim Rohan, an actor and member of Equinox Theatre Company in Kilkenny, will be mentored by dancer Cindy Cummings. As well as being an actor Jim is an avid GAA fan and supports Carrickshock GAA club at training and on the side lines at matches. Jim and Cindy will delve into the world of theatre, dance and GAA as Jim Rohan devises a new theatre piece with collaborator Gary Comerford called ‘The Waterboys: Jim and Gary have a double life’.

Mairéad Folan, a Galway based theatre director and Director of NoRopes Theatre Company, will be mentored by producer Niamh Ní Chonchubhair. Mairéad and Niamh’s focus will be to examine the role of creative theatre producer and how that can inform Mairéad’s artistic practice as a director.

Nickie Hayden, a Dublin based visual artist will be mentored by Director of Mermaid Arts Centre Niamh O’Donnell. With support from Niamh, Nickie will begin to expand her practice to work collaboratively with people who have invisible disabilities through the Dyslexia Association of Ireland.

Five artists were awarded Training awards:

Elizabeth McCormack, a singer and performer with Electric Dreams based in Galway will avail of vocal training from vocal coach Michel Durham over one year.

Eoin O’Malley, a visual artist based in Wicklow will train with Paul Bokslag a tutor and facilitator at KCAT Art and Study Centre. They have developed a tailor made training programme for Eoin to learn Tobii eye tracking technology to support his art practice.

Mary Hunt, a writer based in Westmeath will attend a weekend long residential writing course facilitated by Yvonne Cullen on Inishbofin.

Myra Denise Kavanagh, a visual artist based in Cork will attend a hand-building ceramics course facilitated by Karen Morgan at Grennan Mill Crafts School.

Tia Vellani, a visual artist based in Kilkenny will work with painter Eamon Coleman on a series of specially devised workshops.

Connecting Artists is a programme designed for visual artists with intellectual disabilities who wish to develop their creative practice

Commission: Of Ice and Light

Video description: Of Ice and Light by Ruth Le Gear

2021

2023