The South East Venue Network (SEVN) was formed in 2019 and includes venues based in the South East. The network continues to provide an informal support network for strengthening arts centre/venue operations and programme development that aims to further support artists and programme delivery in South East Ireland.
SEVN includes Courthouse, Wicklow, Garter Lane, Waterford, Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow, National Opera House, Wexford, Theatre Royal, Waterford, Visual, Carlow, Watergate, Kilkenny and Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford.
South East Venue Network Bursary 2022 awarded to Waterford dance theatre artist …
Dance theatre artist Rachel Brennan has been awarded the South East Venue Network (SEVN)’s Arts Council-funded Artist Bursary for 2022.
The Waterford native, a performer and maker of multi-disciplinary shows and short films, has ambitious plans to develop the South East as a destination for dance in Ireland and will use the bursary to progress a number of existing and new projects. These include developing her show ‘Losing Your Body’ at Theatre Royal and Garter Lane in Waterford and commencing production on new show ‘Mosh’, which is set to tour nationally in 2023.
Photo Credit: Stephen O’Connor.
“I have yet to bring one of my shows home to Waterford, despite having a strong desire to, and coming close on some occasions”, Rachel commented. “With the support of SEVN, this goal may be achieved.”
SEVN, which is comprised of Wexford Arts Centre, Theatre Royal Waterford, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Wicklow, Garter Lane, Waterford, National Opera House, Wexford, Visual, Carlow and Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny originally created the bursary in 2021 to provide much-needed financial and network support to an artist based in the South East region whose art practice had been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The award is open to artists of all disciplines living and making work in the region who have presented or exhibited work in a professional context within the last 5 years.
As the recipient, Rachel will receive a €13,500 financial bursary to support her art practice development in 2022/23 and in-kind support, including access to venue facilities, technical, management and communication support as well as mentoring and promotion support from SEVN network venues.
Mary Boland, Theatre Royal Waterford Manager and SEVN co-ordinator, said:
“The bursary award was developed to provide opportunity for venues across the region to collaboratively support a professional arts practitioner to develop their art practice. Our key aim is to provide Rachel with the time and resources to think, research, reflect and critically engage with her art. In time, we hope to work together to find additional ways to support further these artists in the region through the SEVN network.”
Long-term, Rachel has ambitions for Waterford and the South East to become a year-round destination for dance, bringing national and international artists/companies to the area for residencies and workshops whilst also building audiences for dance theatre:
“I would like to produce events in the South East that are more commonly seen in Dublin and international cities, such as work-in-progress performance nights, interdisciplinary club nights and even small progressive festivals”, she continued. “The bursary will be a significant support to me over the next 12 months, giving me the space and resources to dedicate energy to the growth of contemporary arts audiences in the South East, helping me to build a sustainable life-work-community balance here and allowing me to make more considered choices about my career.”
Following on from the success of bursary 1 whereby Violist Beth McNinch was successfully awarded a financial contribution that enabled her to develop her practice, the venues in the network have agreed to further commit to a South East Venue Network bursary for 2022 and 2023 as part of its 3 year bursary strategy.
The Purpose:
The purpose of the SEVN award is to support a professional arts practitioner, artist, curator, technician or producer based in South East Ireland at any stage of their career to develop their art practice. It will provide an arts practitioner with the time and resources to think, research, reflect and critically engage with their art. The bursary should support the artist over one year on developing their art practice with just a requirement of a report and participation in an artist talk and presentation on development of their work at any one of the SEVN venues which will also be recorded for online sharing by the participating SEVN’s. Each participating arts centre/venue contributes significant support to the award apart from NOH (Non Arts Council funded contributing BIK – space/mentor marketing/PR). The SEVN Artist Bursary Award is open to artists of all disciplines who have presented/exhibited work in a professional context within the last 5 years. As equal opportunities employers, we encourage and welcome applications from people of all genders, nationalities, races, cultural backgrounds, ages, religions, languages, abilities, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses.
What the artist will receive in support:
A €13,500 financial bursary to support art practice development over a year 2022/2023. The expected timeline runs between July 2022 to June 2023.
Support in-kind will be offered and will include – where relevant and possible – access to venue facilities, technical, management and communication support.
Mentoring and promotion support for the artist and their art practice from SEVN network venues.
What we be required from the Bursary recipient:
The ability to collaborate with and adapt to a flexible timeline for the bursary.
Participation and delivery of interim reports for the evaluation of the bursary and budget in order to assess the impact of the bursary for the purpose of sharing information with stakeholders.
Participation in publicity of the SEVN bursary.
Possible public engagement activity which may be in the form of an exhibition/workshop/performance/talk online and/or live to be agreed with SEVN Management.
Submission of application:
Please email an expression of interest (written – 1 Side A4 max or by video/audio file (max 3 mins) outlining how the bursary will support the development of your art practice along with your CV tosoutheastvenuenetwork@gmail.com. If you have any access requirements or additional needs, please let us know and we will find a way to support and facilitate your application. Please note: SEVN Network Bursary Award 2022 should be written in the subject line of email.
This bursary award made possible through the support of The Arts Council.
Deadline for receipt of applications – Friday 3rd June, 5pm
