Weft Studio Applications: Now Open

04 July 2024

Weft Studio is back!

Are you a Black artist or artist of the global majority (see definition), who’s Irish or living in Ireland and in the early days of building your artistic career? Do you wish you could find other artists who have similar experiences of living in Ireland with whom you can develop a network of support, have artistic conversations and build a community?

Is there a story or artistic experience you’re interested in exploring that just won’t leave you alone because it needs to be told, and needs YOU to tell it? Are you curious to learn more about your journey as an artist – why you make work, the work you’re interested in, and how you go about making it?

If so, you should apply to the Weft Studio by filling in the form here: https://form.jotform.com/241842650410347 

 

Weft, a Dublin Fringe Festival initiative first launched in 2022, focuses on talent development and network building for emerging and early career Black artists and artists of the global majority. In weaving, the ‘weft’ are the horizontal threads that create the woven foundation that holds a tapestry together in a loom.

We believe there is a lack of support and holistic understanding for Black artists and artists of the global majority early in their careers to build that vital artistic and professional foundation in Ireland. Weft Studio aims to address this gap by interweaving individual artist support with practical project development opportunities within a community of Black and global majority artist-peers. 

This year, we are opening applications for a group of four artists to participate in Weft Studio from September 2024—August 2025, led by award-winning writer and creative producer Shannon Yee, with interventions from national and international mentors. We’re looking for artists early in their career with a desire to create bold, brave, cross-disciplinary performances, who want to develop their awareness about their creative practice and build community with an engaged network of peers along the way. We invite artists of all performance disciplines (theatre, music, visual art, spoken word, dance, and everything in-between) of varying levels of experience, as long as you are trying something new to you during Weft Studio.

 

What can you expect from being part of the Weft Studio?

  • A fee of €3900 to cover 30 days of engagement (23 Studio sessions and 7 additional preparation days).
  • An engaged community of other Black artists and artists from the global majority for discussion, feedback, and collaborative experimentation.
  • Masterclasses and discussion sessions with exciting international mentors who will be selected to support the strengths and interests of Studio participants.
  • The chance to build a relationship with Dublin Fringe Festival and learn the practicalities of producing work for live performance.
  • Access to resources of thematically daring artworks that examine racism and unconscious bias underpinning the traditional artistic canon and craft  
  • Ongoing correspondence with and support from facilitator Shannon Yee during the Weft Studio period of September 2024—August 2025.
  • Trips to see and discuss a range of shows in Dublin Fringe Festival, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Scotland and Wales, together with other Weft Studio participants.

  • A pre-arranged schedule of in-person and online meeting times that takes the needs of the group into account.

     

How do you know if you should apply?

Well, are you…
… a new or early career artist (not in full-time education) who is interested in learning about the process of creating work for live performance (even though you may not be confident calling yourself an artist yet)?
… eager to tell a story in an exciting way that is new to you?

… someone who identifies as a Black artist or artist from the global majority who is Irish (or living in Ireland) and is interested in being part of a community of other Black artists and artists in the global majority in Ireland?
… ambitious, creative, motivated, responsible and interested in learning more about what your strengths and areas of growth are as an artist?
… able to contribute positively to a group dynamic focused on generosity, self-reflection, collaboration and support through group activities and discussion?

 … interested in expanding your knowledge of artworks created by other Black or global majority artists?
… available from September 2024—August 2025 to attend in-person and online sessions?
… over 18 years of age and have legal status to work in the Republic of Ireland?

… are able to travel between the UK and Ireland? 

 

WHAT NEXT?
Any questions? Unsure if this opportunity is right for you? Please contact us on weft@fringefest.com to set up an informal conversation with Shannon. Otherwise, read on to apply!

 

HOW TO APPLY
Complete the application form OR send a video submission via Dropbox to weft@fringefest.com. Video submissions should be no more than 5 mins long and must answer each of the questions in the online form. Applications close on 1st of August 2024. We’ll get back to you by early August! 

 

Weft is proudly funded by the Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíonm and produced in partnership with British Council Ireland, Welsh Government Office in Ireland, Wales Arts International and Terra Nova Productions.