You will be required to stage the play with your own cast.  You need to have your own props    On the final night an overall winner will be selected based on the performance and the transformation from script to stage.

By using your own cast you can realize and perfect your vision.

We will provide

The audience, the Judges, advertising, prize money of €300 to the winner, €50 to the four runners up and the prestigious Brass Shillelagh itself.

Closing Date:  15^th June 2010

www.boylearts.com info@boylearts.com Tel 071 966 3085

The rules

• We are inviting submissions from writers with a link to County Roscommon (however tenuous that may be to – we reserve the right to use this detail for advertising/promotional purposes).

• Submitted one act plays must not exceed 15 minutes in length.

• A play should have a maximum of 4 cast members. You have 15 minutes in which to  establish characters and to move the drama on
• If you enter this competition you must commit to performing your play if selected.

The performance date is 31^st July 2010.  Once a script has been selected for performance in competition, the writers/directors will be asked to agree in writing to going ahead

• You will provide your own props (please keep to a minimum) and direct your own cast. Lighting (minimal) will be provided. Note: There will be rehearsal time available on the day but only 5 minute set up and take down between performances.

Only one entry will be accepted per person – entry fee €10

• Entries must be the original work of the writer
• Printed copies (two please) on loose numbered sheets of A4 paper with no binding or stapling must be sent to the address below accompanied by the entry form and a brief synopsis of script and summary of characters
• No scripts will be returned.
• No feedback will be provided on unselected scripts.
• If the submitted play has been staged before – please state where/when and by whom
• If the rights for any part of the work submitted have been licensed, assigned or disposed of to any third party, then this must be declared on the submission.
• All submissions must be received by 5pm on 15^th June 2010. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered.

In choosing the 5 shortlisted plays the panel will consider the originality of the idea, the writer’s ability and the play’s suitability for performance. On the night of the performance, the winning play will be chosen based on votes from the audience and the judging panel.………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Entry Form

Name……………………………………………………..

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Tel. No. …………………………………………Email……………………………………………

Please send cheque/postal order  for €10 made payable to Boyle Arts Festival together with your script to: Drama Competition, Boyle Arts Festival, King House, Boyle, Co. Roscommon by 15^th June 2010.

The next Young Ensembles Scheme (YES) closing date has been set for Friday 30 April 2010, 5.30pm.

Applications are invited for activities beginning between July 1st and December 31st 2010 and completed by June 30^th2011.

The primary purpose of this award is to support  groups of young people between the ages of 12 and 23 to create ambitious and original work together in any art form (e.g.: circus, dance, digital media, film, music, theatre, literature, visual arts, or any combination of the above). Groups/ensembles must be made up of 3 or more members.

The maximum award available is €10,000.

Full details on this award, including guidelines and criteria, are available on the Arts Council website: Young Ensembles Scheme.

Please note: The window to apply for the Young Ensembles Scheme will open on Friday, 26 March 2010.

Mathilde Veldt

Assistant: Arts Participation & Young People, Children, & Education

Arts Department 2

The Arts Council

70 Merrion Square, Dublin2

Tel: + 353 1 6180 250

Fax: +353 1 6761 302

E: mathilde.veldt@artscouncil.ie

W: http://www.artscouncil.ie

The Arts Council publishes an email newsletter that provides monthly updates on grants and awards, news and events, and arts policy. Register to receive the newsletter through the Council website by visiting http://www.artscouncil.ie/en/newsletter.aspx

May bank holiday weekend – Friday 30th April to 3rd May 2010.

The Drogheda Arts Festival has announced another exciting and varied programme for the 2010 Festival kicking off on Friday 30th April.   The festival, which runs over the May bank holiday weekend, will host an exciting lineup of local, national, and international artists including the first visit to Ireland by acclaimed Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, a world premiere of a work by Conall Quinn from Upstate Live, music, visual art, family fun and outdoor celebration, and lots more.  There is only one place to be this bank holiday weekend – Drogheda!

Friday 30th April will see the official opening of the Festival in the Highlanes Gallery.  The Marienbad Palace, a visual art exhibition curated by Jacqui McIntosh is divided between two venues in the town, the Droichead Arts Centre and the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery.  ’The Marienbad Palace’ brings together works by Laura Buckley, Diana Copperwhite, Jorge De La Garza, Alicja Kwade, Haroon Mirza and Ian Monroe. The exhibition, which includes collage, painting, sculpture, installation and video, takes its title from JG Ballard’s 1989 short story ‘The Enormous Space’ and Alain Resnais’ seminal 1961 film ‘Last Year in Marienbad’.  The exhibition explores ideas of reality in a world where virtual reality is always competing with accepted notions of time and space.  ‘The Marienbad Palace’ has been commissioned exclusively for Drogheda Arts Festival.

Over the past few years, Louth Contemporary Music Society has brought world renowned composers to Louth, including Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Valentyn Silvestrov.  This year they are delighted to welcome Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina to the town as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. One of the world’s greatest composers, Sofia Gubaidulina will visit Ireland for the first time to attend a concert celebrating her work. Entitled The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina, the concert which will take place in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda on May 1st, and will be preceded earlier in the day by the showing of a film on her life and work in the Droichead Arts Centre

Also Saturday 1st May West Street running through the heart of the town will become ‘West Street Wonderland’ for one day only!  The Festival aims to revitalize for this day some of the empty spaces on the street, transforming Drogheda’s main artery with music, outdoor performances, and workshops.  The emphasis will be on participation and fun, with opportunities for all ages to engage with artists and theatre practitioners.

The other side of the river on Saturday and Sunday will see the Drogheda Spring Food Festival, located on the Waterfront, Scotch Hall.  Experience this two-day mini-festival of food offering the tastes and delights of the local food connoisseurs, a farmers market, craft butchers, restaurant tastings, ‘grow your own’ demonstrations and wine seminars.

Theatre and performance also feature strongly in this year’s programme.

-          UPSTATE LIVE presents the world premiere of  THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS A new play by Conall Quinn (winner of the Stewart Parker award), directed by Paul Hayes.    This is a highly original entertaining and surreal tale of love and death set on a County Louth beach during World War II.   Absurd, bleak and hilarious in equal measure, THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS is commissioned by Drogheda Arts Festival, and will undertake a short national tour after its festival performances.

-          A double bill from award-winning dancer/choreographer Claire Cunningham showcasing her exceptional dance technique and impressive power. ME (Mobile/Evolution) is a show woven from humorous stories; about doctors and dancing, bikes and ballet; all threaded together and balanced upon, hanging from, spinning on and swinging on crutches.   ***** The Herald

-          Cirque de Légume will bring their award winning new show The Cirque de Légume to Drogheda. Marvel at the Veget- animal! Enthrall at the Leek of Power! Fantasize over the Onion Strip Tease! WINNER Bewley’s Theatre Award – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009 and NOMINATED Best Male Performer – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009.

-          Community involvement is a key element of the Festival and this year Droichead Youth Theatre will bring the audience on a special journey through Secondary School in a site specific theatre piece in St Mary’s Diocesan School.

The Festival once again offers a very strong music element. As well as the much anticipated visit by Sofia Gubaidulina, the other music elements will include:

-          Acclaimed South Korean born pianist YOUNG-CHOON PARK performing on the magnificent grand piano in St Peter’s Church Drogheda.  Young- Choon Park will be introduced by sports commentator and Lyric fm presenter, George Hamilton. “…individually refreshing, while demonstrating real passion and style as well as outstanding technical proficiency…”   Sunday Times

-          Music Changes Lives – the young musicians from the acclaimed RTE factual series come to Drogheda to perform at the Barbican Centre.  Accompanies by other young music ensembles, this concert promises to be an opportunity to hear great music, and act as an inspiration for all children to explore their musical talents

-          Dervish, who will perform for one night only on Monday 3rd May as part of their 21st anniversary celebrations.

-          Grammy Award-nominated musical duo, Zero 7 (also nominated for Best British newcomer at the 2002 Brit Awards) with support by Andrew K (External Sounds) & Rob Mullen (External Sounds).

-          DJ Ashley Beedle with support by Keith Kelly (External Sounds).

Other events will include a poetry reading and conversation with Poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and the much loved traditional day at Millmount which will this year be held on Sunday 2nd May, with music, craft, Celtic warriors, the firing of cannons, boat-building, and the rapidly-developing Drogheda Fringe Festival.

Full programme details can be found at:  www.droghedaartsfestival.ie

The Drogheda Arts Festival is supported by: Louth Local Authorities, The Arts Council, and Fáilte Ireland.

The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Drogheda Arts Festival. The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by the Drogheda Arts Festival with supported by Louth County Council .

Press information:

Gerry Lundberg Public Relations    Tel:  01 679 8476 / 086 259 1070 / 087 259 1070    glundpr@iol.ie

View the Programme here.

Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th April 2010.

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is the venue for this weekend of poetry workshops in which acclaimed poet and author, Noel Monahan will direct participants.The programme will deal with all aspects of Poetry Writing.

Starting with the initial stirring of a poem (first inspiration), the workshop will cover such headings as:

The line as a basic unit of a poem. The outline of images. The mass of language: Words: Syllables. Rhythm and line breaks.  Editing a poem.  The final form of a poem. Getting your poetry published

The Workshop will take each participant’s poems and assist with the editing of the same.

Download the flyer here.

For further  information and booking please contact the Patrick Kavanagh Centre

Ph. 00353 (0) 42 9378560  Fax 00353 (0) 42 9378855   E-mail: infoatpkc@eircom.net

www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com

Musicians, DJs and authors to reveal their favourite hangouts

The Spirit Store, Ireland

The Spirit Store in Dundalk, County Louth, is on the edge of town beside a small harbour. There’s a small, friendly bar downstairs which opens around 4pm, but it is the live music upstairs that is the main draw. You would be hard-pressed to find anywhere as welcoming to an artist and more genuinely music-driven in its programming of events. That’s why I keep going back there to play, and why many other artists who have outgrown the 120- or so capacity venue keep returning. So many venues and promoters are about the money but Derek Turner, who books the music, is driven by something much more.
• +353 42 9352697.
Duke Special, musician. His DVD box set, The Stage, A Book & the Silver Screen is out now

[ art@work ]

artists’ residency programme

As part of art@work, artists from any arts discipline, spend three weeks in a company or service in County Roscommon making work motivated by the environment, staff and working practices of the company Since its inception in 2001, the art@work programme has continued as a unique outlet for contemporary art to be integrated into society – introducing not only art, but also artists, and the processes of making art, to new audiences.

Artists are not necessarily expected to make work collaberatively; rather the artist is simply making work for a period of time in a different place of work than usual. Quite naturally however, the work is clearly influenced by the artists’ adopted environment, relating strongly to that particular situation thus providing a greater interest and involvement in the work from staff.

To the artist art@work offers the opportunity to explore different methods of working and to produce work in a unique context that allows for greater participation in the creation of the work. To staff at the company, art@work stimulates a pride and recognition of the value and nature of both the artists work and the work of the company. To the company the programme offers a valuable and unique advertising platform in both a local and national context as well as being an innovative project which reflects well on the company from many perspectives.

Last Year Create collaborated with Roscommon County Council Arts Office to produce a publication which further investigated the experiences of those involved, providing a rich insight to the motivations, processes and outcomes of each of the residencies. Sarah Tuck, Director of Create said that “the art@work programme provocatively re-inscribes arts practice as work, whilst simultaneously acknowledging the creativity of work itself. In situating the artist in work contexts, both the artists and the staff have an occasion to reappraise what it is that they do as part of the daily routine and ritual of working life.”

How the programme works –

Initially companies and artists are separately asked to express their interest in becoming involved in the programme. From this a one day group site visit is arranged where artists together visit each of the participating companies. From this the artist can prepare a proposal as to how they would approach the residency at their chosen company or companies.

How to get involved –

If you are interested in participating in art@work, simply email artsoffice@roscommoncoco.ie or call 090 66 37285 to register your interest before Friday 26^th March, after which a day of site visits will be arranged to participating companies. A full list of participating companies will not be available until April but previous participants are listed below.

The Proposal –

The proposal is not a definite “in stone” document but rather an indication of how the artist would complete the residency if their course did not alter during it. This is essentially an indication of the artist’s methodology and their understanding of the company. We would expect that the residency itself would dictate how the work would progress and that it would, in the end, substantially differ from the original proposal, but in order to decide who participates and how appropriate or feasible an artist’s residency is likely to be, we assess proposals only on the information and CV submitted. An artist can submit as many proposals as they like for as many companies as they like.

Schedule –

Registration            Before Friday 26^th March

Site Visits              Mid April

Proposals               Mid May

Residency              June – September

Publication             October

Fees –

Residency                          €500 per week

Materials/ Travel Subsidy     €500

Accommodation Subsidy     €500

Further Information –

www.roscommonarts.com or 090 66 37285

2009 participants’ comments –

“Significantly for me, the more I spoke with the archaeologists the more I began to re-examine and re-invent my own process of selection and interpretation” – Martina Cleary, resident artist at Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre

“I found the process hugely rewarding as it reconnected me with the buzz of making art. It might sound strange but it was a revelation of sorts as I had spent much time lately working on the conceptual and business side of art making and had not had that buzz for quite a while.” – Veronica Forsgren, resident artist at Feelystone.

“I found myself developing a more methodical way of working…the library’s archival system of gathering, recording and storing information influenced my practice here and will likely continue into future projects” – Sinead Conlon, resident artist at Roscommon County Library.

“art@work is a pioneering programme in touch with current trends in cultural production” – Elaine Reynolds and Amy King at Molloy’s Bakery.

“It inspired me to convert old offices into artists’ accommodation and work studio” – Finbarr Feely, Feelystone.

“Martina’s work captures a depth of meaning and an essence of emotion that standard archaeological recording cannot” – Dr. Niall Brady, the Discovery Programme.

“The artist’s work tells a story and this reflects on issues and techniques in the bakery. This in turn gets us thinking about what we do and how we do it” – Declan Molloy, Molloy’s Bakery

Previous residencies –

2002  Dympna Molloy, Arigna Fuels                       2006  Angie Duignan, Molloy’s Bakery

2002  Noel Molloy, AnsaMed                                    2006  Michael Fortune, Roscommon Champion

2002  Margo McNulty, System Label                      2006  Dennis Collins, Ros FM

2002  Anne Rigney Lally, System Label                2006  Pamela Wells, Roscommon Fire Service

2002  Dahlia Vitez, AnsaMed                                   2006  Garreth Kennedy, FDK Engineering

2002  Sue Hill, Arigna Fuels                                    2006  John Daly, Roscommon Herald

2003  Maria Casey, System Label                          2007  Orla Galligan, Feelystone

2003  Margo McNulty, Roscommon Herald          2007  Catherine Cronogue, System Label

2003  Klaus Vormehr, Arigna Fuels                       2007  Jennie Moran, FDK Engineering

2003  Honor Fitzgerald, System Label                   2007  Joanne Beirne & Ciarda Tobin, Abbey Hotel

2003  Billy Moore, FDK Engineering                       2008  Rebecca Walter, Gleeson’s Townhouse

2003  Paul Nulty, Roscommon Herald                  2008  Michelle Browne, Molloy’s Bakery

2004  Clive Bright, FDK Engineering                      2008  Carl Giffney, Arigna Fuels

2004  Tim Elford, System Label                              2008  David McCarthy, Feelystone

2004  Treasa O’Brien, Molloy’s Bakery                   2008  Cathal Roche, FDK Engineering

2004  Maria Casey, Roscommon Herald              2009  Chris Banahan, Nurtures Best

2005  Noel Molloy, Mote Park                                   2009  Martina Cleary, Cruachan Ai Visitors Centre

2005  Lynn Kirkham, Villigar Cigars                       2009  Sinead Conlon, Roscommon County Library

2005  Paul Finch, FDK Engineering                       2009  Veronica Forsgren, Feelystone

2005  Heather Fleming, Arigna Fuels                    2009  Cathal Roche, Carrick Cineplex

2005  Tracy Walsh, Garda Siochana                      2009  Elaine Reynolds & Amy King, Molloy’s Bakery

2009  Ruth Lyons, Lough Key Forest Park

Philip Delamere

County Arts Officer

Roscommon County Council, The Courthouse, Roscommon, Ireland

T +353 9066 37285 | F +353 9066 34443 | E mailto:artsoffice@roscommoncoco.ie | W http://www.roscommonarts.com

Louth Local Authorities operate a number of funding opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in the arts.

Please click this link to the funding page.

Twice yearly, the Arts Council offers grants to enable artists and communities of place/or interest to work together on projects. The scheme is open to artists from any of the following artform disciplines: architecture, circus, street art and spectacle, dance, film, literature (Irish and English language), music, opera, theatre, visual arts and traditional arts.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage meaningful collaboration between communities of place and/or interest and artists. It is essential that consultation take place between the artist and the community group, so that both parties are involved in deciding on the nature of the project realisation. Group ownership of the art should be maintained at every stage. The Project Realisation may result in a variety of outcomes.

The Artist in the Community Scheme is managed by Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts.

There are two phases to the Artist in the Community (AIC) scheme:

Phase One, Research & Development, is open to artists who wish to research and develop a project in a community context. Maximum time frame is 3 months. The maximum amount awarded in Phase One is €1,000.

New this year: Phase One, Research & Development/Mentoring is open to artists who wish to develop a community based project and who have identified an artist mentor they want to work with a during the research and development phase. The maximum award is €1500, which includes €500 fee payable to the mentor.

Deadlines in 2010: Friday 26 February 5pm and Friday 25 June 5pm.

Phase Two, Project Realisation, is open to communities of interest or place (or their representative organisations), planning a project of between 6 weeks and 5 months duration with a maximum award of €5000, and those who are planning a project of between 6 months and 9 months with a maximum award of €10,000.

Deadlines in 2010: Friday 26 February 5pm and Friday 25 June 5pm.

For further information on application criteria and assessment, or to book an advisory session about the Scheme, contact Katherine Atkinson,Professional Development, 01-4736600 or email support@create-ireland.ie. Application forms are available below, and are also available in large format or in Irish

Read the AIC FAQ

Download the Application Forms

Artists

AIC Phase 1 [PDF] Application form + guidelines
Coming Soon: AIC Phase 1 [DOC] Application form ONLY

AIC Phase 1/Mentoring [PDF] Application form + guidelines
Coming Soon: AIC Phase 1/Mentoring [DOC] Application form ONLY

Communities of interest or place (or their representative organisations)

AIC Phase 2 (short term) [PDF] Application form + guidelines
Coming Soon: AIC Phase 2 (short term) [DOC] Application form ONLY

AIC Phase 2 (long term) [PDF] Application form + guidelines
Coming Soon: AIC Phase 2 (long term) [DOC] Application form ONLY

Since 2001 the Artist in the Community Scheme has funded more than 100 artists. Visual artists, writers, theatre practitioners, musicians, film makers, architects and dancers have worked with many communities of place/and or interest including  Termonfeckin Macra na Feirme, Ballymun Pigeon Club, Irish Wheelchair Association, an Ionad Culturtha and ALAF.