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Artist in Residency Scheme

Following on from this year’s highly successful pilot programme, the Arts Department of Fingal County Council is now seeking applications from Fingal schools for the Artist in Residence Scheme 2008/2009. Youth and Education Officer Julie Clarke

“Fingal Arts Office has programmed short term Artist in Schools projects for a number of years now, but this programme is different, as it requires the artist to work one half day a week in a school for the entire school year,” said the Council’s Youth and Education Officer Julie Clarke. “The artist will be expected to integrate with the school curriculum and devise a project that will enhance the learning experiences of the students.

“We have already received expressions of interest from artists who wish to be involved in the scheme and we are expecting to receive a lot more. The placement is open to professional and emerging artists, both nationally and internationally, who have experience working with young people in a community setting. We are open to artists working in dance, drama and visual art.”

There will be two placements in the county’s primary schools – one in drama, one in dance – and two visual art residencies for post-primary schools.

Since September 2007, artist Alan Mongey has been working as Artist in Residence with 1st year students in Hartstown Community School. Alan has introduced the students to a variety of creative techniques, giving them an understanding and confidence to explore and create their own work. The academic year long residency, which is funded by Fingal County Council’s Arts Office, has also the opportunity for field trips to galleries and studios which are designed to broaden the students’ understanding and interest in making artwork.

Apart from Hartstown, the other schools participating in the pilot scheme are Pobail Scoil Neasain in Baldoyle, Ballyboughal National school North Co. Dublin and St. Andrew's National School in Malahide. All four residencies are coming to an end, and will finish, before the summer break, with a performance or exhibition, depending on the nature of the project, open to parents and friends to attend. In the case of Hartstown, this will be in the form of an exhibition in Blanchardstown Library in the week commencing the 19th May.

The lifetime of the next scheme will run from October 2008 to May 2009 inclusive and according to Julie Clarke, there are no specific expectations as to the outcome of the projects, other than they link in with and complement the current school curriculum. “We would hope that this programme would make a real difference to the participating school,” she said. “It is hoped that the constant presence of the artist, throughout the school year, will have a positive effect on the young people and their learning, and will encourage experimentation and interest in the arts.

“The nature of this scheme is to provide students with an insight into the work of a professional artist and to facilitate creative activity within the school environment. While Fingal Art’s Office will cover the artist’s fee in full, it is a condition that the schools make a contribution to the residency towards the cost of materials and final product,” she said.

For further information and application forms please contact Fingal Arts Office at 890 5960 or julie.clarke@fingalcoco.ie

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