Baboró have partnered with The Spark Arts for Children as a lead international partner on The Spark’s artist development programme, Vital Spark. Together we will deliver a trailblazing Artist Relationship Programme to empower underrepresented artists to make incredible live performance for young audiences.
Both of our organisations believe that all children should be able to experience arts and culture, and that they should be able to see themselves represented in these experiences. This is not yet the case for every child and we’re committed to changing that. Vital Spark is about challenging and changing the lack of diversity in children’s arts and culture. We do this by supporting artists who are currently underrepresented in children’s arts and culture. We also work with partner organisations to create world-class opportunities for these artists and share best practice.
Artist Relationship Programme
Through this new iteration of Vital Spark’s Artist Relationship Programme, 4 England-based, and 4 Ireland-based artists will take part in a transformational 6-month programme and be paid for their time to learn, develop and grow through:
- A 4-day ‘Go and See’ trip to Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Galway, Ireland in October
- A 5-day residency comprising of masterclasses and coaching in Leicester, England in November
- A 2-day sector symposium in Leicester in March
- Becoming part of the Vital Spark and GROW artist communities across the UK and Ireland.
Ideas Fund
Thanks to this new partnership, Vital Spark's Ideas Fund will be open to performance artists based in Ireland for the first time. Baboró and The Spark have together created a seed commission fund with the goal of enabling artists to develop early ideas of a new production for young audiences. The fund will provide time for artists to explore their idea with guidance and project support from both organisations, without the pressure of a 'finished' product.
This partnership has been funded by the Arts Council of Ireland International Residency Initiative Scheme.
Sign up to Baboró's newsletter for call-outs to participate in this programme.
Based in the heart of Leicester’s cultural quarter, Spark Arts is an arts organisation with over twenty years’ experience. They help children immerse themselves in the arts in a variety of places and spaces as well as offering children opportunities to discover their skills, passions and potential – both as an audience or participants.
Spark Arts commission and produce ambitious, high-quality quality experiences that are led by diversity and innovation; organising a bold and imaginative children’s arts festival; and championing local cultural activity so that children in the region can thrive! All of this is achieved through the Vital Spark movement and with the help of The Spark’s amazing Child Action Group.
Partners
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