Dance Artist Residency Scheme (Ireland)

The scheme is specifically aimed at dance artists working in collaboration with an arts centre or an organisation or a festival and/or a local authority (NB: the inclusion of a local authority is mandatory for Strand 1).

Scheme Strands

• This scheme has two strands.
  • Strand 1: Full residencies
    • The scheme aims to:
      • Consolidate both professional and community-based dance practice in a variety of regional contexts
      • Offer opportunities to dance artists around the country to engage in a programme of artistic work relevant to their own practice
      • Offer opportunities to local authorities, arts centres, organisations and festivals to develop dance practice in their areas in collaboration with the applicant
      • Encourage the development of long-term planning and sustainability of independent dance activities.
  • Strand 2: Short-term residencies
    • This scheme aims to:
      • Support short-term residencies with an arts centre or an organisation or a festival
      • Offer an opportunity to establish collaboration and develop the place of dance with a targeted group of people
      • Consolidate both professional and community practice in a variety of regional contexts
      • Provide an opportunity for new cohorts of people to access high-quality dance engagement
      • Have an opportunity for mentorship with established dance artists in residence.

Priorities of the Scheme

• Proposals will be prioritised based on:
  • The relevance of the dance-artist’s track record/experience to the content of the residency
  • The clarity of the proposed activities as part of a coherent artistic programme
  • The quality of engagement with local communities
  • The suitability of the artistic and administrative resources available to the dance residency
  • The positive level of engagement and reciprocal support between all parties involved in the residency.
• Strand 1: Proposals for funding for Strand 1 must have the committed support in writing of at least one local authority and one arts centre or organisation or festival.
• Strand 2: Proposals for Strand 2 must have the committed support of an arts centre or an organisation or a festival.

Funding Information

• The maximum amount awarded to each successful application is:
  • Strand 1: Up to €25,000
  • Strand 2: Up to €10,000
• You may apply for support under only one strand of the award.

Who can apply?

• The Dance Artist Residency Scheme is open to the following, one of which must take on the role of primary applicant under the scheme:
  • Strand 1
    • Professional dance artists who have the committed support of at least one local authority and one arts centre or organisation or festival, and who are resident in the Republic of Ireland
    • Local authorities proposing to establish a professional dance-artist residency.
  • Strand 2
    • Professional dance artists who have the committed support of an arts centre or an organisation or a festival.
    • Dance artists who wish to undertake a period of mentorship with an experienced dance artist in residence in order to develop their community practice
    • Dance artists who wish to develop a short-term residency with a specific cohort of people.
• There are certain exceptions where the Arts Council may deem eligible applications made by those based outside the Republic of Ireland. However, before admitting as eligible any such application, the Arts Council would need to be satisfied that the outcomes of any such proposal would benefit the arts in the Republic of Ireland.

Who cannot apply?

• Applicants who are not eligible to apply include the following:
  • Strand 1: dance artists without the committed support of at least one local authority and one arts centre or organisation or festival, or a combination of local authorities and arts centres
  • Strand 2: dance artists without the committed support of at least one arts centre or organisation or festival
  • Dance artists who are already employed on a full-time basis by organisations in receipt of Strategic Funding
  • Arts Council-funded arts centres, organisation and festivals. However, the partnership of at least one such organisation is a requirement. These organisations will need to certify that any activities supported are distinct from, and separate to, already funded activities.
  • Organisations seeking funding to support vocational/undergraduate or postgraduate training.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.