Artist Open Call for 2nd PUSH Residential Lab

We are looking for two Ireland-based artists for the second PUSH international residential lab for Artists taking place in Belgium this September.


Information about PUSH

PUSH is a Creative Europe-funded project led by Imaginate (Scotland) alongside Cultuurcentrum Hasselt (Belgium), The Ark (Ireland), Aabendans (Denmark) and Scenekunstbruket (Norway). Over two years, we will explore three topics within theatre and dance for young audiences. Artists from all partner countries will be invited to apply to participate in these Labs:

  • Gender and sexual identity Lab in Scotland
  • (over) protection Lab in Belgium
  • Migration Lab in Ireland

You can read more about the full project at www.pushproject.eu


Open Call for an Ireland-based Artist for Lab 2

This application is for the (over) protection Lab which will take place in Hasselt, Belgium between 8 - 17 September 2017. The Ark are selecting two artists to attend this Lab. All artists will be paid a fee of €800 and €320 in per diems for the 8 days plus return travel to the Lab and self-catering accommodation in Belgium which will be arranged for you.

We are looking for artists involved in making theatre and dance, ideally you will have made work for young audiences before (or can show us a strong interest). While we would like to assemble group of artists at different stages of their career, due to the complexity of an international residency it’s unlikely to be suitable for artists still studying or who have very recently graduated. See the Information & Guidelines link below for more information.

The Ark selection panel will include Aideen Howard, Director, another member of The Ark team and one external panellist. The panel will select two artists based in Ireland for inclusion in this Lab, all applicants will hear if they have been selected by Monday 31 July 2017.

How to Apply
If you are an artist working in these fields then find out more about this lab and the application guidelines here: (over) Protection LAB Information & Guidelines

To apply, complete our online application form or download a Word version to complete and email back.

Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 21 July 2017

Here's what our previous PUSH lab artists have said about the experience:

Shane O'Reilly
"The PUSH Lab inspired me to be bolder with my choices in my work for young people. It is an opportunity to amplify your artistic voice, to be exhilarated by topics and themes that usually intimidate artists. As artists we create work within the limitations of our own artistic imagination and biases, PUSH is a unique space within which to challenge and broaden those perspectives and thus enhance an artists creative potential. Being part of a PUSH Lab means taking a risk, making yourself vulnerable, being hungry for challenges, being open to fail, forming new opinions and deconstructing old ones, listening carefully, speaking freely and at the end of it all being utterly changed and refreshed as an artist."

Anna Newell
"The PUSH artist lab was a unique opportunity to meet and work with a really diverse group of artists to talk, think and play. It's stayed with me and strongly informed my thinking ever since."