Are you aged between 18 and 25 and interested in getting experience in artistic programming and planning? Would you like to work with young curators in a network of theatres and arts centres across the country? The Young Curators Venue Network is seeking a panel of innovative and ambitious young people for our fifth Young Curators Programme which will run from July 2024 to June 2025.
This is an opportunity for you to put your stamp on a programme of events for young people nationwide, and to work with venue managers and fellow curators to create an exciting programme of events across any art-form, from theatre, music and dance, to film, visual arts and everything in between!
You’ll also gain invaluable experience at the heart of the Irish arts industry and make connections with artists, promoters, theatre makers, and musicians across the country. Throughout the programme Curators are provided with mentoring from industry professionals and guidance across a number of areas including marketing, budgeting, and time-management. You will also be offered the opportunity to attend industry events such as Galway International Arts Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and regularly meet ups with other young curators from across the network, both online and in person to share learnings and ideas.
With the support of the Arts Council, the Young Curators network of seven venues nationwide have collaborated on a young curators’ initiative since 2021.
The seven network partners are An Grianán Theatre (Letterkenny), Backstage (Longford), Dunamaise (Port Laoise), Glór (Ennis), Lime Tree Theatre (Limerick), Siamsa Tíre (Tralee), Town Hall Theatre (Galway).
Applicants can indicate the venue in the network that they are most interested in to work with. You do not have to have to live near or be from your preferred venue as much of the work is remote, but a specific programme interest or geographical connection is encouraged.
If interested please complete the << application form here >>.
Closing date for applications is Friday 21st June 2024.
Please read all information before submitting.
Who should apply?
The programme is ideal for those ages 18 to 25 who would like to gain experience in working in the arts, especially those interested in venue and festival management and programming. We welcome expressions of interest from students and recent arts graduates, and also those coming from less traditional educational backgrounds. We encourage applications by people from a diversity of national, ethnic or cultural groups, including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and minority ethnic, refugees, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, socially disadvantaged and LGBTQI+
The Curator will ideally:
- Be passionate about the arts and attending live performance
- Have an ambition to continue working in the arts
- Have an interest in programming and presenting work from concept to performance
- Have good organisational, budgeting, communication and time-management skills
- Have an interest in & experience of digital and social media
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment as part of a small team
Practicalities:
The Young Curator Programme will run from July 24 to June 25, allowing the Curators time for training, research and development in 2024, before programming and confirming their festival programme in Spring 2025.
The project will require a part-time commitment to undertake the programme brief – estimated at approx. 6-8 hours per week.
Attendance at mentoring sessions and meet-ups, as well as 2 or 3 days of attendance at network events/field trips will be required.
The time commitment may not be consistent through the year and some periods, such as the lead up to programme launch, may be considerably busier than others.
Development of the programme may be undertaken remotely, but Young Curators will be required to communicate regularly via email and zoom communication.
Curators will be required to attend the events they have programmed.
Curators will be linked with the Young Curator mentor and other curators across the network to develop their programme and will work closely with the venue team to develop and promote the festival.
Curators may be studying arts at third level, but this is not a requirement.
A fee will be paid to the Curators for their participation.
Agreed expenses will be paid including travel to network events and theatre tickets.
The Curators will be allocated a programme budget to manage.