Creative Hubs Performance Production Partnership Commission Award

Creative Hubs max award of €25,000 to include production contribution and performances. Creative Hub libraries have developed a strong relationship with our local schools, special schools, ASD units and Early Years Groups and can manage local booking for performances. Audience consultation/feedback sessions can also be facilitated prior to performances ensuring that the child’s voice is included in the development of the final performance

This financial contribution and local network support is intended to offer security to the producing company in the development and presentation of new work, and create opportunities for children to experience high quality performances in their own locality outside of formal arts venues. It is anticipated that performance work being proposed is already in development (though may not initially have been planned for non-formal venues) and may have already secured other sources of development funding.

The current City Arts Plan; our Arts, Education and Learning Policy; and Dublin City’s Culture and Creativity Strategy include among their objectives, increasing access and provision for children and young people to quality arts experiences in local neighbourhoods. We also recognise the ongoing need to support the quality of artistic experience through commissioning opportunities and professional development of artists, arts and cultural workers, educators and facilitators.

The dual strengths of the library as a site for cultural access and education is the sense of ownership felt by citizens - regardless of income, status, age, gender or ethnic origin - and its connection to local social, community and education networks.

The Children’s Art in Libraries has been managed by City Arts Office and delivered in collaboration with Dublin City Libraries since 2010. Dublin City Libraries and Arts Office are now working in partnership to pursue a phased expansion of a number of key Creative Hubs, engaging children through commissioned and programmed performances, exhibitions, workshops and short residencies. The free multidisciplinary programme is now co-ordinated by The Ark, on behalf of Dublin City Council. There are four Creative Hub libraries in Ballyfermot, Cabra , Coolock, and Central Library (ILAC).

Creative Hubs seek to sustain high quality arts experiences for children, schools and families to access in their Library and locality, through the development of enhanced educational, community and cultural partnership. For further information on Children’s Art in Libraries: Creative Hubs to date, see button below.

In 2021 the programme commissioned a musical storytelling adaption by Fionn Foley of Roddy’s Doyle’s The Giggler Treatment with The Ark; and a dance production The Galaxy of Occupations with Roisin Whelan Dance company/VISUAL Carlow performed in Oct/Nov 2022.

In 2022 the programme commissioned Paul Curley’s Grey Matter, in partnership with Draiocht, which toured Autumn 2023.
In 2023 we commissioned A Masterclass for Aspiring Artists with Boss Rob (Grand Stretch) which toured in Summer and The Letter (Playground Productions/Backstage Theatre), which toured October 2024.
In 2024 we commissioned Bombinate Theatre Company’s Buzzing which will tour November 2025.

Previously it has commissioned theatre Stór (bilingual commission and co-production with Axis 2016) and dance. (see Dance commissions with Maria Nilsson Waller below)

The Creative Hub programme aims include:

• To provide children with the opportunity to participate in and gain meaningful and imaginative arts experiences in their local library and locality
• To build local capacity and partnership
• To provide opportunities for established and emerging artists/companies to develop their practice for/with Children.
• To create commissioning opportunities that support and nurture innovative and inclusive programming, where feasible through partnership

New Performance Partnership Commission Criteria

1. Provide children with a quality experience of live performance that is approximately 45 - 60 minutes in duration (or as appropriate to age).
2. Be created to appropriately meet the needs, interests, real or imaginative lives of a stated target age group attending the performance (e.g. 2+, 4 - 6, 5 - 8, or 9 - 12)
3. Create the opportunity for a strong arts experience for children to be produced, with due consideration of production feasibility (e.g. cast size, playing area, minimal set/tech/ requirements to support the effective touring of a performance to libraries/ non-formal venues.)

This opportunity is open to producing companies on the island of Ireland. Dublin City Council offers up to a max €25,000 to include production contribution and performances. As the coordinator of DCC Creative Hubs, The Ark will contract and administer this commission.

It is presently anticipated that an award would include 10 Creative Hub performances during 2025, though this may increase should further funding be identified by either party or should production costs allow. Proposing producers may have other performance agreements or funding in place, and this should be clearly stated, if so.
Our preferred timeframe is Autumn/Winter 2026 for primary schools or early years groups

Creative Hubs may design a separately financed complementary education workshop/resource but this will only be decided next year when more is known of the chosen production/s.
Acknowledgement of the Dublin City Council Creative Hubs development commission support will be a condition of funding.

Please note we cannot accept applications from individual artists, unless backed by a producing company/organisation/venue with whom the contractual agreement will be made.

The Creative Hubs programme welcomes proposals from all styles and traditions of theatre or dance performance. Proposals in PDF format should be submitted by Monday 3rd November and must also include

• Summary: short description of the performance proposal, stating what you want to produce, for what age group and why.
• Key details of your proposal (max 1500 words) which might include notes on approach, characters, plot or anticipated structure.
• Sample scenes may be included if available (not compulsory). Please only include scenes/choreographic samples you think will best communicate to the selection panel artistic intention/approach.
• 3 Examples of previous work produced ( this can be web-links or short descriptions).
• Proposed Production to Performance Timeline
• Overall Budget (clearly showing income from any other sources where applicable) and level of funding required from DCC (to include 10 performances).
• Short details on artistic/production team insofar as known.
• Details on your experience of or interest in working with children.

• The deadline for the submission is Monday 3rd November @ 12 noon
• A maximum of 4 proposals will be shortlisted and invited to meet via zoom with representatives of the Creative Hubs Programme Wednesday 19th November to discuss their proposal in greater detail. We anticipate that decisions will be communicated by Friday 21st November 2024

For enquiries, please contact: creativehubs@ark.ie
Completed proposals should be submitted to: sinead.connolly@dublincity.ie