PLATFORM 31, a State-wide artist development scheme to allow artists develop their practice, and test new ideas, has been launched by The Association of Local Authority Arts Offices, in collaboration with the Arts Council.
Designed to support and offer career development for 31 mid-career artists - one artist for each of the local authorities in the Republic of Ireland - the scheme also seeks to allow artists explore ideas of collaboration, research, audience development, place-making, and sharing of their work. The award is open to artists of any discipline and practice, based in the Republic.
"I am no longer surprised, but still in awe, at the wealth of great artistic work to be found in every corner of this country" - Little John Nee
Participating artists will receive an €8,000 bursary to invest in themselves and their practice, combined with participation in an advisory and developmental framework. It will also establish a peer networking framework for participating artists, introducing them to a pool of critical thinkers to share their work and learnings, and encouraging a national conversation about creating work in local contexts.
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Galway based theatre maker, musician, and writer, Little John Nee has welcomed the scheme. "I am no longer surprised, but still in awe, at the wealth of great artistic work to be found in every corner of this country," he said, "sometimes in the least expected places; there is genius and long term commitment that might go unnoticed and unfunded were it not for local arts officers. I am excited by this amazing pilot scheme in the knowledge that good use will be made of this funding and the benefit of it will be felt all over, may it grow.",
Applications are open until November 30. For more information email [email protected] or see https://platform31.localartsireland.ie.
