Call for Artists
Leitrim County Council is looking for artists that are interested in working with one of four community groups taking part in the Leitrim County Council’s 2017 Artist in Communities Scheme.
The Artist in Communities Scheme provides the opportunity for a community group in Leitrim to work with an artist on a specially designed project lasting 55 hours over the course of a number of months between July and December. The scheme is built on the idea of partnership. The artist and group work together to develop a lasting, memorable and enriching project for everyone involved.
This is a unique opportunity for a community group to actively engage in an innovative project with a highly experienced artist where the knowledge, skills and expertise of both the artist and the group are combined to get the maximum benefit from the programme.
The 55 hours includes 10 hrs development time; 40 hours contact time; and 5 hours evaluation and documentation time at a rate of €40/hr. - total fee €2,200. This fee is all inclusive and the costs of any materials or other expenses involved in the project are provided by the group.
The four groups taking part this year are:
- Glenfarne Community Development Trust
- Annaduff ICA
- Childhood Days
- North Leitrim Men’s Group
The background to the four groups and what they hope to achieve from the programme is outlined below.
If you have substantial experience in developing high quality arts projects and are interested and experienced in working collaboratively with groups of people, please submit your application to ckelly@leitrimcoco.ie using the free on-line file transfer service www.wetransfer.com by Friday 5th May, 2017.
Applications should consist of a letter of interest and an up to date CV along with images/recordings of recent work (both studio work and work developed collaboratively with groups).
The letter of interest (max 2 A4 pages) should outline what it is that interests you about a group of this nature and the ways you imagine you might like to work with them. It is not a project proposal and the successful applicant will not be expected to implement anything included in it. However, references to ideas, approaches or processes you like to use in your practice will provide an insight into your methodology and ability to conceive of interesting ideas. It will also demonstrate your understanding of what is involved in working collaboratively with such a group. Once selected, only then do the artist and group start to plan their project as it would actually happen. The first part of this planning process is a half day facilitated planning workshop in Carrick on Shannon on Friday 26th May involving all artists and representatives from the four groups.
Artists will be shortlisted based on the following criteria:
- Innovation and creativity of your approach as expressed in the cover letter.
- Quality of previous work and track record (or potential) of the applicant.
- Evidence of a strong understanding of collaboration – as expressed in the cover letter, and in previous work.
- Understanding of the social and cultural context of the work.*
*It is not essential to have specific prior knowledge of any of these four groups at this stage. Rather the applicant should demonstrate their understanding and experience of what would be required to work with a group of this nature by reference to his or her previous work and/or approaches that might be employed which may be appropriate/useful to that age group or set of interests.
Artist in the Community Scheme 2017 - Community Group Information
Glenfarne Community Development Trust
The Glenfarne Community Development Trust has been running since 2000 and works to support and develop the local community through a variety of projects and events involving both local and cross border participants. There are 13 members of the committee who meet monthly in a general meeting with additional sub group meetings as required. Projects have included Tidy Towns, Heritage Projects, the development of the Glenfarne Forest amenity and, most notably, the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance, an iconic building with a rich history, which now provides an important local venue for classes, meetings and events. Last year we devised a heritage tour which included the Rainbow’s own Big Band Museum. For this project we are open to working with an artist from any discipline.
Annaduff ICA
Annaduff ICA has been in existence for over 40 years. We have 30 members and meet once a month to organise social and educational activities. We provide a range of activities including recycling projects, a community garden in Annaduff and community education programmes. The group have also been involved in a range of arts activities including craft classes and oil painting. Under the Artist in the Community Scheme we would have a particular interest in exploring themes about women working in the country and themes concerning our own local environment.
Childhood Days
Childhood Days is based in Drumshanbo and provide activities for children and young adults with disabilities. It is run by 8 staff including 1 manager. We are a voluntary support group that provide services for children aged 3 to 18 together with a pilot scheme for young adults including extracurricular activities out of school hours as well as after school clubs and full day care on Saturdays. We have previously had music, drama and art sessions with the adult group and art therapy. Through the Artist in the Community Programme we have an open mind regarding the subjects or themes we would like to explore but would particularly like to involve our 8 member teenage group who have mild learning difficulties, perhaps in the area of drama.
North Leitrim Men’s Group
North Leitrim Men’s Group are a group of 10 based in the Bee Park Community Centre in Manorhamilton. It is the parent body for North Leitrim Men’s Shed and the North Leitrim Men’s Group. The group promotes the health and well being of men in North Leitrim through training, environmental maintenance and horticulture. We have been involved in many art projects over the years including 1916 celebrations and art and film classes. We are open minded as to what theme or subject they would like to explore and ,for this project, would be interested in working with either a Visual Artist, Theatre Practitioner or Musician, and do have a number of musicians within the group.
For further information contact Christine Kelly or go to www.leitrimarts.ie