Open Call: Ignition – Development of Artist

The call is open from the 15th of October and will close at 5pm on the 15th of November 2019

What is Ignition?

Ignition is an initiative from Dublin Circus Project and funded by the Arts Council of Ireland which is designed to provide an incubation opportunity for emerging circus maker(s), creators, and artists who are focusing on developing their skills and practice.

Ignition is an enhanced, fully resourced, 2-week residency at Dublin Circus Project in March/April 2020.  Ignition supports a model where artists are valued and paid and where makers receive the support and resources they need in a creative process to experiment, develop and work collaboratively.

To achieve this, Dublin Circus Project, funded by the Arts Council, is offering a variety of supports which includes access to a rigging technician, a €1,200 award which covers artists’ fees and expenses and a €2000 award which covers the expense of working with a mentor.  In addition, Dublin Circus Project will offer in-kind support such as advice, administration and documentation. The artist will also engage with the circus community and other segments of the non-circus community as relevant to their practice while they are in residence at Dublin Circus Project.

Who is Ignition for?

Ignition will focus on makers who require a nuanced and resourced environment in order to realise their potential, especially when the work under development involves a cast and collaborators.  This opportunity is aimed at makers who need time and space to work with a mentor in developing a specific skill or expertise.  

What to expect from Ignition

Ignition can be used to resource a transition period for a maker, which would not otherwise be possible. Performers will need to identify a mentor prior to their application. Ignition is an investment from Dance Ireland and Dublin Circus Project in risk and exploration.  Ignition is not for the creation of a fully developed work for performance.

The call is open from the 15th of October and will close at 5pm on the 15th of November 2019

Application Guidelines

How to apply for Ignition

To apply, please fill out the application form.  Please keep in mind the application guidelines (below) and the overall aims of Ignition as laid out above when filling in your application.  Further questions can be posed by email to the Programme Manager.  

Application and Assessment criteria 

• You must be a current Dublin Circus Project member.

• Proposals will be shortlisted by Dance Ireland and Dublin Circus Project, based on:

  • Applicant’s artistic output to date including career stage and depth of experience

  • Proposed mentor(s)

  • Artistic ethos and ambition of the artist to develop their own career

  • Benefits that participating in the programme offers the artist

• Shortlisted proposals will be considered by a panel comprised of Dublin Circus Project Board, Dance Ireland Board, and externals.  This panel may choose to meet with shortlisted applicants as part of the consideration process.

• Decisions will be communicated by mid-December 2019.

• Feedback is an important part of sector development.  Feedback on applications will be facilitated by Dublin Circus Project and Dance Ireland Executive on request from January 2020.

Guidelines:

1. The dates for Ignition  to be undertaken in the Dublin Circus Project dance studio and main space are set to be undertaken for two weeks: 23rd and the 27th of March, and 30th of March to 3rd of April 2020.  Applicants should be available to use the assigned space provided during these dates. The studio is available whole-time for these two weeks. Whole-time means you will have a key and access to the studio space 24 hours and the main space outside of class times and you do not need to strike props, set or equipment in the studio room until the end of the residency. If awarded the main space, it will be available on an exclusive basis from 9am to 5pm week days, and on a shared basis outside of these hours.

2. We cannot fund a capital gain or investment for the artist.  However, if specific equipment is required for the residency we can explore buying the equipment for Dublin Circus Project for use in the future by other members. 

3. Please be specific and realistic about your needs from Dublin Circus Project in terms of administrative support, whether the needs could be accommodated within the existing team or if we would need to allocate part of the budget for an additional person to cover those needs.

4. You should include samples of previous work.  This work does not have to be dance or circus work – the most important aspect is that you are the creator and/or director.

5. Video links should be YouTube or Vimeo.

6. You should include up-to-date CV and/or bios of yourself and key collaborators or cast members for the project.

The call is open from the 15th of October and will close at 5pm on the 15th of November 2019

Please submit your application via the online application form here. Late submissions will not be considered.

Caroline Toledo – Ignition 2019
Photography by Graeme Coughlan