Artists are invited to participate in Mentorship Programme in Balbriggan

Exploring & Thinking Partnership is a collaborative framework for early childhood arts in the Dublin region. Initiated in 2016 by the four Dublin Local Authority Arts Offices to collectively consider Early Childhood Arts. Since this time, the Partnership has collectively supported commissions, bursaries, research, and sector sharing days all with a view to supporting artists, the wider early years sector and developing this area of arts practice with a direct impact on the Dublin region. 

The focus of the Mentorship Programme for artists is to create greater access to the arts in communities and neighbourhoods across the Dublin region that may traditionally not have these opportunities. The priority is in the capacity building of artists that work in, or are interested in working in, contexts that are an intersection of arts and health, community, and/or integration.   

The Programme will be held on 9 and 10 October and will include group work, workshops, and mentoring facilitated by Professor Zeedyk. The content will be tailored by Professor Zeedyk in response to the selected artists proposals and experience.  

Julie Clarke, Fingal Arts Office’s Youth & Education Officer said:  

“Last year we were delighted to welcome Prof. Zeedyk to north county Dublin for the first time to present her research on the importance of connection in early childhood. This year Balbriggan will be our destination town for a deeper dive into how the arts can support our connection with one another and the world we live in”. 

To be eligible to apply, artists must be Irish residents wishing practice in early childhood arts and working in contexts that align with the Exploring & Thinking Partnerships priorities are eligible to apply. All artforms practitioners are welcome.  

The application should articulate how the applicant is going to impact existing early childhood arts practice in the Dublin region.  

Note: artists do not have to be based in the Dublin region, but their application should articulate how this opportunity will impact existing early childhood arts practice in the Dublin region.   

The first day of the Programme will take place on Wednesday 9 October 2024 from 10am until 7pm and will include lunch and dinner. On Thursday 10 October 2024 it will last from 10am until 4pm, including breakfast and lunch. Full schedule to follow. 

Proposals should be submitted via https://dlrcoco.submit.com/   

Closing date for proposals is 2pm, 12 August 2024.  

Find more information about the application procedure, Professor Suzanne Zeedyk, artists selection criteria, deadlines and contacts for queries via link: Exploring & Thinking Residential Mentorship Programme for artists | Fingal County Council