Kilkenny artists sought for funded support programme with residencies

Kilkenny artists are being encouraged to apply for two-year fully funded and paid support opportunity and the closing date for applications is later this month.

Irish arts company Promenade which provides artists, producers and arts organisations with strategic and creative project support to help reach their goals and aspirations, is offering five artists or companies producing, production and artistic support, in partnership with outside experts and partners, throughout 2024 and 2025.

The opportunity is funded by the Arts Council’s Creative Production Supports Scheme and is open to artists and organisations working in the areas of circus, street arts, spectacle, participatory arts & multi-disciplinary arts, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Each of the successful applicants will be assigned a producer who will provide several hours of support per week. This will involve mentoring and practical support tailored to each individual artist or company’s needs and includes support such as project planning, partnership brokering, securing funding, tour booking and public engagement.

In addition, Promenade will pay for each artist or company to benefit from one-to-one support from outside experts in areas including operational logistics, production and technical advice, and marketing and PR support. Each artist or company will receive up to €1,750 per year in 2024 and 2025 for attending meetings with Promenade and receiving external advisory support.

Cork’s Circus Factory will also offer one artist a one-week shared residency during 2024 and 2025 and Cork’s Everyman theatre is offering three short term residencies as part of the programme in 2024/2025.

Applications from early career, emerging and under-represented artists resident in the Republic of Ireland and practising in the areas of circus, street arts and spectacle, participatory arts, outdoors arts or who produce work in the public realm including site-specific work will be prioritised.

Founder and Creative Director of Promenade, Kath Gorman, said this is a valuable opportunity for artists to access expert support.

“Artists chosen will not only have dedicated producer support but access to a range of experts who can offer advice to enhance and grow artists and their projects, opening doors to new opportunities while providing fresh perspectives and support throughout. This is reflected at Promenade’s core as our ambition is to support artists and organisations working in these creative fields to create work that is unexpected, relevant and contemporary, impacting positively on people’s lives. We build Irish and international partnerships to create high quality and ambitious arts experiences and to work with the next generation of producers and artists, providing training and mentoring to support their career development,” she added.

Artists and companies interested in applying must complete a written application form or apply with a short video. Further information about the application process can be found on promenade.ie or by emailing Ciara O’Mahony contact@promenade.ie

The deadline for applications is midday on Monday April 22.