group residency for a socially engaged collective: open call

26 March - 12 May 2023 
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: About Ballinglen: The Ballinglen Arts Foundation is a registered charity which provides residency awards to artists from Ireland and abroad, runs workshops for adults, and creative outreach programmes for children and young people. We hosted the collective Na Cailleacha in 2020 and have seen how well suited our workspaces, accommodation, common area and staff supports are to a group working independently. Na Cailleacha returned in 2021 with funding from Mayo Co Co and Creative Ireland with an exhibition and series of public engagements. At any time there are up to 5 individual artists visiting on residency and working at Ballinglen. The Ballinglen Museum of Art holds The Ballinglen Museum of Art Permanent Collection of work made by Fellows, a record of 30 years of visiting artists practice in North Mayo. It will be available to the collective if necessary. This residency opportunity is distinct from the fellowship programme. It is a once off and as such there is no necessity to contribute to the Collection. Ballinglen is funded by The Arts Council, Mayo County Council, and donations. Specific programmes are funded by Creative Ireland, NYCI and other national funding.
About Ballinglen: The Ballinglen Arts Foundation is a registered charity which provides residency awards to artists from Ireland and abroad, runs workshops for adults, and creative outreach programmes for children and young people. We hosted the collective Na Cailleacha in 2020 and have seen how well suited our workspaces, accommodation, common area and staff supports are to a group working independently. Na Cailleacha returned in 2021 with funding from Mayo Co Co and Creative Ireland with an exhibition and series of public engagements. At any time there are up to 5 individual artists visiting on residency and working at Ballinglen. The Ballinglen Museum of Art holds The Ballinglen Museum of Art Permanent Collection of work made by Fellows, a record of 30 years of visiting artists practice in North Mayo. It will be available to the collective if necessary. This residency opportunity is distinct from the fellowship programme. It is a once off and as such there is no necessity to contribute to the Collection. Ballinglen is funded by The Arts Council, Mayo County Council, and donations. Specific programmes are funded by Creative Ireland, NYCI and other national funding.

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation are delighted to open this significant opportunity for four socially engaged artists to spend two weeks on residency together. We are accepting applications from artists in preexisting collectives, or one formed for this opportunity.

The residency is aimed at professional artists who are interested in developing or consolidating their socially engaged arts practice in a group. At least one of the artists in the collective should have a track record and experience of working in the field of collaborative/socially engaged arts practice.


The residency runs for 2 weeks (November 6–19 2023). The artists must all be available for those dates. The collective of four will be in shared self-catering accommodation, have the use of a group workspace (12m long by x 6m wide). All four artists will receive a stipend of €150 each.


Ballinglen will support the selected artists by facilitating touch points with staff at several points during the Residency. We will build in evaluations throughout the planning process and residency period.

Guidelines for Residency
Who is eligible? Any artists based in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Artists must have a track record of working in the field of collaborative/socially engaged arts.
Ballinglen is equipped to cater to visual artists. Proposals where the majority of artists in the collective are visual artists will be favoured.


Deadline for receipt of applications is May 12th, 17:00. 2023.
Artists will be notified of the decision on June 20th.
Residency Dates: Monday November 6th - Sunday November 19th 2023

 

Application Process/How to apply and Deadlines:


 You are invited to submit:
1. An expression of interest - max 1 A4 page outlining your approach to the residency.
Tell us about your experiences in collaborative/socially engaged practice. Why is this opportunity relevant to your practices at this time, what are your ambitions for the residency? Tell us about your collective, what brought you together.
2. A CV of max 1 A4 page from each of the 4 artists, to give a sense of previous projects.
3. A 150-word biography from each of the 4 artists outlining your current preoccupations as an artist
4. Up to 12 images (4 images per artist) or examples of recent projects with short descriptions. If you have relevant links to images and videos, please include them within these examples.
Applicants must combine the 1 expression of interest, 4 CVs, 4 biographies, 12 images or examples of recent projects into ONE single pdf. Please note this entire document should not exceed 20 MB.

 

Submit your expression of interest by email to ballinglenarts@gmail.com ‘Expression of Interest’ in the subject line.

 

For any queries relating to the residency or application process please email ballinglenarts@gmail.com

 

FAQ
What if there are only 3 of us?

We will accept an application from a collective of 3. The stipend remains the same, €150 per artist.


What if there are 5 or more of us?

We have facilities, accommodation and funding for 4 people during this call this year. We may be able to accommodate more in another year.  


What if more than 50% of us are not visual artists?

The facilities and staff experience is best suited to visual artists. We do not have musical equipment, dance studios etc. However, we do appreciate multidisciplinary practices and welcome applications which take the facilities into consideration.


What if the dates don’t work for all of us?

Ballinglen is a busy centre with complex booking arrangements. November 6¬–19 2023 are the dates which are available for this opportunity.


Is there an expected outcome?

We expect the selected collective to be here and make use of the time together. Our fellowship programme involves participation in the form of a donation to the Permanent Collection. This residency opportunity is stand alone and does not have that requirement. We are open to discussions of further engagements if something develops from the residency that fits with our programming.


Where is Ballycastle?

It is on the North coast of Mayo. It is a small rural town on the edge of an area with magnificent cliffs, blowholes, bog and ancient field systems. The sea is 2km from Ballinglen and the horizon dominates the view from the centre.


Do we need a car?

A car will allow you to explore the area. However if you do not have a car we will facilitate transportation for the group from the closest town, Ballina, 30 minutes from Ballycastle for all members of the Collective arranged in advance. We will be available with prior notice to bring members of the collective to do grocery or other shopping once during the residency.


What should I bring with me?

Everything you need. e.g. food, art materials, medication, special dietary requirements.


Can I bring my school age children?

Not for this residency.


Where do I buy food?

It is recommended that you bring food or shop on the way to Ballycastle. Ballina (29km from Ballycastle) has a Tesco, Dunnes, Aldo and Lidl. Killala, 15 mins by car has a Centra. Siopa Suifinn on Main St Ballycastle has the basics.