About the Vital Spark Artist Relationship Programme
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children and The Spark Arts for Children are working together to host a transformational, international artist relationship programme.
The Vital Spark Artist Relationship Programme is for underrepresented artists who are interested in developing their artistic practice and processes to make, create and invent exciting new work for young audiences.
The deadline to apply for this opportunity is Monday 31 July, 10am.
What the Programme Includes
We will work with 4 artists based in Ireland and 4 artists based in England. You will be paid for your time to take part in:
- A 4-day ‘Go and See’ trip to Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Galway, Ireland in October 2023
- A 5-day residency of masterclasses & coaching in Leicester, England in November 2023
- Online coaching sessions
- Attending a 2-day Vital Spark Symposium in March 2024
- Becoming part of the Vital Spark and GROW artist communities across the UK and Ireland
You’ll receive training, workshops, coaching and masterclasses at no cost. All travel, airfares and transfers, accommodation, theatre tickets, food and drink will be paid for. The programme is worth €10,000/ £8,500 for each participating artist.
Ideas Fund
In addition to the Relationship Programme, Vital Spark's Ideas Fund will be open to performance artists based in Ireland for the first time thanks to this new partnership. 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.
Artists based in Ireland can apply for the Relationship Programme, the Ideas Fund, or submit a joint application to both funds.
How to Apply
Applicants may apply for:
- The Relationship Programme
- The Ideas Fund
- Both the Relationship Programme and the Ideas Fund
To apply please review the information packs below. Then visit The Spark Arts' website to download the relevant application form. Information packs and applications are available in written and video formats.
Information packs:
Vital Spark Relationship Programme Information for Applicants pack
Ideas Fund Information for Applicants pack
Applications:
Download the relevant application form here
The deadline to apply is Monday 31 July at 10am.
To make the positive change to the PYA sector The Spark and Baboró aim to achieve, this opportunity is open to artists that identify as one or more of the following:
- African and African Caribbean diaspora
- D/deaf
- Disabled
- Ethnically diverse
- Irish Traveller
- LGBTQ+
- Neurodivergent
- South, East and South East Asian diaspora
You might be:
- An emerging artist who is keen to develop their craft in arts and culture for children and families
- A mid-career artist who has not yet developed their practice specifically in relation to work for children and families.
- An actor, a musician, a director, a visual artist - in fact any type of artist!
We're looking for 8 extraordinary artists to spend time learning, growing and most importantly developing a relationship with us as part of the Vital Spark and GROW
Programmes.
Regardless of your “experience” you’ll have a commitment, passion and drive to create art (in whatever form) for children and families!
Access
If you require any of this information to be presented in a different way, or if you would like to submit your application in a way that suits you best, or if have any questions about access during the application process, please contact vitalspark@thesparkarts.co.uk or call +44 (0)116 261 6893.
Application Key Dates
Application deadline: 10.00am Monday 31 July
Meeting with shortlisted applicants: 9,10,11 August
Final decision: Friday 1 September
Contact Us
To find out more about Vital Spark, you can email vitalspark@thesparkarts.co.uk or call +44 (0)116 261 6893 to arrange a chat.
Artists based in Ireland who wish to know more about Baboró's involvement as a Vital Spark Partner are welcome to contact Rachel at rachel@baboro.ie or call +353 (0)91 562 667.
Supported by
Partners
